Matthew Stafford excels as Rams knock off Vikings

Matthew Stafford completed 25 of 34 passes for 279 yards, four touchdowns and one interception as the Los Angeles Rams pulled away for a 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night at Inglewood, Calif.

Demarcus Robinson had two touchdown catches for the Rams (3-4), who won their second game in five days. Kyren Williams and Cooper Kupp had one touchdown reception apiece.

Los Angeles’ Puka Nacua, back after missing five games due to a knee injury, caught seven passes for 106 yards, and Williams gained 97 yards on 23 carries.

Sam Darnold completed 18 of 25 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns for Minnesota (5-2), which dropped its second straight game. Justin Jefferson caught eight passes for 115 yards, and Josh Oliver and Trent Sherfield Sr. each had one touchdown catch.

Los Angeles outgained Minnesota 386-276.

The Vikings opened the scoring on the first drive of the game. Darnold found Oliver wide open near the goal line for a 5-yard touchdown.

The Rams responded with a touchdown on their first possession to even the score. Williams caught a 5-yard touchdown pass across the middle.

The back-and-forth battle continued as the Vikings pulled ahead 14-7 with 53 seconds left in the first quarter. Sherfield caught a pass from Darnold and sprinted a few steps into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown.

Kupp scored in his first game since being injured in Week 2 to tie it at 14 with 10:05 remaining in the second quarter. Stafford escaped pressure in the pocket, stepped up and hit Kupp for a 7-yard touchdown.

The Vikings regained a 17-14 lead on Will Reichard’s 23-yard field goal midway through the third quarter.

The Rams grabbed their first lead at 21-17 with 2:36 left in the third quarter. Stafford lofted a pass down the right sideline toward Robinson, who drew a flag for pass interference but made the catch anyway for a 25-yard touchdown.

Reichard made a 35-yarder to cut the Vikings’ deficit to 21-20 with 12:47 to play.

Stafford put the Rams ahead 28-20 with 6:16 to go, throwing his fourth touchdown pass of the evening. He hit Robinson in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard score.

The Rams registered a safety to go ahead 30-20 with 1:36 left. Rams linebacker Byron Young grabbed Darnold by the facemask and twisted him to the turf in the end zone, but officials did not call a penalty and the play could not be reviewed.

Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw injured his left knee late in the first half and did not return.