Thursday Night Football was the stage for two of the better teams in the NFC to face off. The Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings put on a show in this high scoring matchup. It was the Rams who came out on top 38-31.
The Rams were already playing at a high level coming into the matchup but this was arguably their best performance. Particularly by Rams quarterback Jared Goff.
This was a back and forth affair in every sense of the word. The Rams and Vikings were matching each other score for score.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins did lead Minnesota out to an early 17-14 lead over the Rams. Minnesota was in control early. Seamlessly converting third downs one after another.
However, the first team unable to match the others scoring output was going to lose this game. That was the case in the end of the second quarter when the Rams went up 28-20 at halftime.
Goff was masterful in his dissection of the Vikings defense. It felt as though he would find his target regardless of the coverage.
Goff threw touchdowns passes rolling out to his right, over double coverage and into tight windows.
Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp were all over 100 receiving yards. Goff’s connections to Kupp throughout the game were special.
Goff was 9 of 11 when targeting Kupp for 162 yards and two touchdowns. One of which was arguably the best through of Goff’s career.
.@JaredGoff16 droppin’ DIMES.
Kupp-le of touchdowns for @CooperKupp 🙌 pic.twitter.com/FGUSZoQsUI
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 28, 2018
Goff was the MVP of this game going 26 of 33 for 465 yards and five touchdowns.
Running back Todd Gurley made noise as well with 156 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown.
Cousins did play a good game despite making the costly turnover at the end of the game. He was 36 of 50 for 422 yards and four touchdowns.
Nonetheless, this was Goff’s night. Goff made every throw to prove his doubters wrong. Bucking the notion that he was merely a system quarterback.
As a result, his Rams will improve to 4-0 with the best record in the NFC. However, the Vikings will fall to 1-2-1.
Brendan Abban is the owner/creator of brendanabban.com and hosts the KBR Sports podcast. Follow him on Twitter @AbbanBrendan or email him via [email protected].
