The Minnesota Vikings fell from the ranks of the NFL’s unbeaten, and the Los Angeles Rams have gone from expecting Cooper Kupp to play for the first time since Week 2 to thinking about trading their top receiver. A lot can change in just four days.
The Detroit Lions were the first team to knock off the 5-1 Vikings this year, in a 31-29 shootout in Minneapolis on Sunday. The Vikings rolled up nearly 150 rushing yards in that game — 93 of them and a touchdown belonging to Aaron Jones — and they’ll look to pound the rock some more this week against a Rams defense that ranks 30th in the league against the run (and Aaron Donald ain’t walking through that door).
The Rams may be looking to the future, as the team is reportedly shopping Kupp in the trade market. They’re reportedly looking for a second-round pick in return and are willing to retain a chunk of his salary for this season. Kupp hasn’t played for the 2-4 Rams since an ankle injury in Week 2, but coach Sean McVay does expect him to be available for Thursday night’s game vs. Minnesota.
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Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
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Location: SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles
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Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Live14 updates
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Puka Nacua is VERY active
Puka Nacua already has four receptions for 64 yards (on five targets) and one rush for seven yards.
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Sam Darnold hasn’t missed yet
Sam Darnold completed 8-of-8 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns in that first quarter.
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TOUCHDOWN, Vikings
Sam Darnold threw to a receiver not named Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison, hitting Trent Sherfield for a 10-yard touchdown pass on another crossing route near the goal line.
Vikings lead 14–7 with 0:53 remaining in the first quarter.
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First TD Vikings allowed in 1st quarter this season
That was the first touchdown the Vikings have allowed in the first quarter this season, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
That’s the first touchdown the Vikings have given up in the first quarter this season. They entered the game with a 58-3 advantage in first quarter scoring. Maybe we’ll have a track meet tonight?
Vikings 7, Rams 7. 6:38 Q1.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 25, 2024
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TOUCHDOWN, Rams
The Rams answer right back on their opening drive, moving 70 yards in nine plays. Matthew Stafford hits Kyren Williams for a short pass over the middle and a 5-yard touchdown.
Puka Nacua had two catches for 34 yards on the drive, while Williams had three carries for 18 yards.
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Rams get Puka Nacua involved right away
Matthew Stafford looks for Puka Nacua on the first play of the Rams’ opening drive. The receiver dropped the pass. But Stafford went right back to Nacua, hitting for a short pass that gains 13 yards.
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TOUCHDOWN, Vikings
Following a 17-yard pass to Justin Jefferson, Sam Darnold finds Josh Oliver wide-open on a crossing route for a touchdown.
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Vikings moving the ball
Justin Jefferson has two catches for 27 yards on the Vikings’ opening drive, while Aaron Jones has rushed three times for 18 yards.
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Kam Curl down with injury
Rams safety Kam Curk is down after tackling Justin Jefferson. There’s an injury timeout.
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Vikings receive opening kickoff
Minnesota will get the ball on offense to begin the game.
Ethan Evans boots the kickoff into the end zone for a touchback. The Vikings will begin on their 30-yard line.
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Todd Gurley in the house for the Rams
Todd Gurley played five of his six seasons for the Rams organization. He rushed for 5,404 yards and 58 touchdowns in 73 games.
Gurley won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, was named to three Pro Bowl teams, won Offensive Player of the Year, and was a two-time first-team All-Pro selection.
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Justin Jefferson’s first 4 seasons puts him in some outstanding company
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WRs Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua active for Rams
The Rams get two big weapons in their passing game back on Thursday night, with receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both active.
Kupp has missed the Rams’ past four games after injuring his ankle in Week 2. Nacua hurt his knee in Week 1 and has been sidelined for the past five weeks.
As Frank Schwab writes, the Rams now face some decisions about their roster:
“Thursday’s game might change how the Rams think about the next couple weeks, and it might change the NFL landscape too. There have been reports that the Rams have been discussing a Kupp trade with teams. Whether they win on Thursday night and improve to 3-4, or whether they lose and fall to 2-5, might influence whether they get more aggressive in shopping Kupp — and maybe even Stafford — or they hold onto him in hopes that a healthier offense pushes them into playoff contention. How Kupp looks upon his return might also influence trade talks.”
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Vikings-Rams inactives
NFL Inactives for Week 8: Los Angeles Rams
DE Dejuan Johnson
DB Tre’Davious White
WR Jordan Whittington
RB Cody Schrader
DE Jonah Williams
QB Stetson Bennett— Dave Crews (@crewser128) October 24, 2024
