The Los Angeles Rams came out swinging on their opening drive against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 19. Unfortunately, they got outpointed the rest of the way in a 24-7 loss.
Quarterback Jared Goff led the Rams downfield with one of their best drives of the 2017 season to start the game. Running back Todd Gurley finished it with a 6-yard run to take an early 7-0 lead.
Minnesota responded by adjusting their pass rush and locking down the edges, resulting in Goff running for his life for much of the game. Meanwhile, former Rams quarterback Case Keenum used his legs to extend plays and wear out the Los Angeles defensive line. Keenum and running back Latavius Murray led the Vikings into the end zone early in the second quarter. Murray’s 8-yard touchdown run knotted the game at 7-7
The Vikings continued to wear down the Rams for much of the next two quarters with long drives keeping the L.A. offense on the bench. Two missed Minnesota field goals kept the Rams in the game, but once cornerbacks Kayvon Webster (concussion) and Nickell Robey-Coleman (thigh) suffered game-ending injuries, it was only a matter of time.
The key play of the game for the Rams was a fumble by rookie wide receiver Cooper Kupp at the Vikings’ 1-yard line in the second quarter. Kupp later dropped a critical pass on 3rd-and-10 with the Rams down 14-7 in the fourth quarter.
Goff completed 23 of 37 passes for 225 yards in the loss. The Vikings held Gurley to 37 yard on 15 carries. Robert Woods led the Rams with eight catches for 80 yards. Keenum hit on 27 of 38 attempts for 280 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings.
Woods left the game late with a shoulder injury.
Next:
The Rams return home to face the red-hot New Orleans Saints next Sunday, November 26 at 1:25 p.m. PT.
