The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings (5-2), 30-20, on “Thursday Night Football,” improving to 3-4 on the year thanks to an electric return from two of the team’s stars and a controversial non-call in their favor late.
Here are three takeaways from the action:
Rams aren’t sellers now
With the 2024 NFL trade deadline quickly approaching, many had the Rams squarely in the “sell” line. Well, after flexing their muscle following the return of several stars, wideouts Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, L.A. can step back into the playoff contender light.
With two of his top weapons back on the field, quarterback Matthew Stafford looked rejuvenated, passing for 279 yards (25-of-34) with four touchdowns and only one interception. Meanwhile, Nacua and Kupp made a tremendous impact after playing in only three games combined ahead of Week 8.
Nacua went off, catching seven of nine targets for 106 yards. Kupp, on the other hand, caught five of eight targets for 51 yards and a touchdown.
There’s still a long way to go for the Rams. But, if this is how the offense is going to look with Nacua and Kupp finally healthy, the team is very much a threat in the NFC West, trailing the first-place Seattle Seahawks (4-3) by just a game, with a meeting against the rival coming in Week 9.
