Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua return from injuries, and Matthew Stafford throws 4 TD passes in Rams’ 30-20 victory over Vikings

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have missed most of the season with injuries, reflecting the Los Angeles Rams’ dismal record.

When both stars returned to the same primetime show, they provided exactly what Matthew Stafford and the Rams had been missing all year – and it was something the Minnesota Vikings couldn’t match.

Kupp caught a touchdown pass, Nacua returned to the lineup for 106 yards, and Stafford passed for 279 yards and four TDs Los Angeles Rams 30-20 victory over Vikings on Thursday evening.

Demarcus Robinson caught two TD passes for Stafford for the Rams (3-4), who won back-to-back games for the first time this season, scoring 386 yards against an offense that looked exponentially more dangerous when its top two receivers were dressed in uniforms.

“They brought a lot of energy to our team and a lot of confidence,” said Stafford, who has thrown just three TD passes in the Rams’ first six games. “It’s not just a crime. I know the defense feels it too when these guys play.

After missing the previous five games, Nacua had seven catches, recording the eighth 100-yard game of his short career. Kupp returned from a four-game absence with five catches for 51 yards, including one 27-yard catch that set up a key lead late in the fourth quarter.

“It was just great fun,” Kupp said. “Offensively, we were able to find a way to keep the sticks moving. The guys just did their job and it was pretty cool to see us go.

Kyren Williams rushed for 97 yards and caught an early TD pass for the Rams. Robinson caught a 25-yard TD pass he put Los Angeles ahead late in the third quarter and caught a 10-yard TD at 6:17 to play for a 28-20 lead.

Byron Young then sacked Sam Darnold for a safety with 1:36 left, grabbing Darnold’s mask on the play. The officials did not throw the flag, sealing the Rams’ second victory in five days after a 1-4 tie before the bye.

“I believe in this group,” said coach Sean McVay, who became the most successful coach in Rams history with his 80th victory. “I saw determination. I didn’t see a flinch. … We did a good job getting back to where we wanted to be.”

McVay also won his first head-to-head meeting with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, who was his offensive coordinator during the Rams’ Super Bowl championship season three years ago.

“I think we were close on some plays,” O’Connell said. “But when you play against a quarterback and those receivers get healthy and go out there and make some plays for them, I think it all comes down to (whether or not we) can get enough rushing and coverage by working together , so as not to perhaps give such a quarterback a few extra clicks.

Darnold passed for 240 yards to the Vikings (5-2), and they followed first defeat of the season with ineffective defensive play. Minnesota also lost starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw to a left knee injury late in the first half.

Justin Jefferson had eight receptions for 115 yards, and Josh Oliver and Trent Sherfield caught TD passes from Darnold. Minnesota made two field goals in the final three quarters.

“We just have to be more consistent on offense,” Darnold said. “A face mask is it. I thought there was a lot we could have done to avoid ending up in the situation we found ourselves in.

Stafford threw at least four passes for a TD for the 16th time in his career, including four for the Rams. The veteran also passed Dan Marino for ninth place in NFL history in total completions.

Both teams scored touchdowns on their first two drives in front of a sold-out crowd at SoFi Stadium. Darnold went 8-for-8 in those contests, while Stafford was clearly happy to have his two favorite targets back in uniform.

Williams caught a short pass on the Rams’ first drive and scored a touchdown for his 10th straight game. The Vikings haven’t allowed a TD in the first quarter all season, and the Rams haven’t scored on their first drive all season.

Byron Murphy intercepted a Stafford pass in the third quarter, and Minnesota went up 17-14 after Jefferson extended the pass a shaky one-handed reception.

Vikings: TE TJ Hockenson (knee) and G Dalton Risner (back) are out. … Darrisaw was injured as Minnesota tried to finish the first half. O’Connell did not receive any updates after the game.

Rams: Rookie WR Jordan Whittington was inactive with a shoulder injury. …S Kam Curl suffered a knee injury in the first quarter but returned in the second.

Vikings: Host Indianapolis in a Sunday, November 3 game.

Rams: at Seattle, November 3.

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