The average first drive against the Vikings defense before Thursday: Four plays, 8.7 yards, 0.5 first downs, 0.0 points. The Rams' first drive: nine plays, 70 yards, four first downs, one touchdown. How? Quick, key throws and a 6-yard average on three equally key rushes. The Vikings attacked Matthew Stafford twice with six throws, but he felt no pressure and completed four possessions, including a drop by Puka Nacua and a 7-yard TD to Cooper Kupp. The Vikings also opened with a touchdown, led 14-7 early in the second quarter and outscored their opponents 72-10 in the first quarter. Unfortunately for the Vikings, they went 0-7 in the second quarter and trailed their opponents 49-38 in the quarter.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores' vaunted blitz package looked tired in a short week on the road. Flores rushed five or more 11 times on Stafford's 34 dropbacks. Stafford was not fired. He wasn't knocked down. And he was only put under pressure three times, not once in the second half. Only one of the pressure points came from a lightning attack. The Vikings' biggest pressure of the night was negated by penalties. The Rams had five first downs via penalty in crucial situations. Stephon Gilmore's pass interference ruined a great blitz on the Vikings' 11th on 3rd-and-7 and resulted in a touchdown. Illegal hands to the face from Jihad Ward on a third-and-10 shot ruined a great three-man rush. Byron Murphy Jr. also saved a third-and-7.

Justin Jefferson was targeted five times with five catches for 68 yards as the Vikings opened with consecutive touchdowns. He was targeted just four more times after that, including not once in the fourth quarter. Of course, the officials' misstep with 1:36 left played a big role in Jefferson not seeing any targets from that point on. Rams edge rusher Byron Young apparently tackled Sam Darnold to the ground by his facemask in the end zone for a safety, but was not stopped. Darnold has no excuse for not paying attention to Jefferson on the other two fourth-quarter possessions, including a third-and-21 situation that called for Jefferson's magic. Jefferson was targeted 60 times in seven games, his fewest since his rookie season (40).

Stafford's 62.6 passer rating in last week's win over the weak Raiders was his lowest as a Ram and his worst since 47.9 in Week 1 of the Lions' 2018 season. So what happens against one of the league's best defenses? He has a rating of 124.5 and has thrown four touchdowns, one more than in the Rams' first six games. Unfortunately for the Vikings, Kupp and Nacua returned after playing just 24 snaps together this year. They combined for 12 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets. They are also excellent run blockers. Nacua's block on Josh Metellus gave Kyren Williams a first down on fourth-and-1 and extended his touchdown drive late.

The Vikings stayed within one point because they may have the best kicker other than Justin Tucker. Only two teams – Vikings and Titans – didn’t miss a placekick. Tennessee has Nick Folk, a 17-year veteran who turns 40 on November 5th. He made 11 of 11 field goals, including 3 of 3 from over-50, and 9 of 9 PATs. The Vikings have 23-year-old rookie Will Reichard, who is 14 of 14 field goals, including 4 of 4 from 50+ and 20 of 20 PATs after another completely quiet game.

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