The highly anticipated matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams lived up to its billing, delivering a thrilling contest packed with standout performances, strategic play-calling, and game-altering moments. This battle between two of the NFL’s most competitive franchises not only entertained fans but also offered a detailed look at team dynamics and individual performances. Whether you’re analyzing it from a fantasy football perspective or simply want a clearer picture of who dominated on the field, understanding the Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams match player stats is essential. This article dives deep into the performance metrics of key players, highlighting game-changing plays, quarterback efficiency, rushing and receiving stats, defensive standouts, and more.
Overview of the Matchup
When the Minnesota Vikings clashed with the Los Angeles Rams, the stakes were high. Both teams came into the game with playoff ambitions and a lot to prove. The Vikings, known for their balanced offense and improving defense, were up against a Rams team with an aggressive passing game and a resilient defense. The game was expected to be a test of discipline, tactical execution, and raw talent. From opening kickoff to final whistle, the match provided fans with non-stop action, highlighted by exceptional individual performances on both sides.
Quarterback Performance: Cousins vs Stafford
One of the most anticipated aspects of the game was the quarterback duel between Kirk Cousins of the Vikings and Matthew Stafford of the Rams. Both quarterbacks came into the game with solid seasons under their belts, and this contest provided a critical test.
Kirk Cousins demonstrated excellent poise in the pocket, completing 28 of 38 passes for 314 yards and 2 touchdowns. He made smart reads, avoided turnovers, and distributed the ball effectively across multiple targets. Cousins’ chemistry with his receivers, particularly in the red zone, played a pivotal role in the Vikings’ scoring drives.
On the other side, Matthew Stafford showcased his trademark arm strength and field vision. He completed 26 of 40 passes for 287 yards, throwing 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Although Stafford had slightly fewer yards, his deep-ball accuracy and ability to escape pressure kept the Rams in the game until the final minutes. His interception came during a crucial third-quarter drive, halting the Rams’ momentum.
Both quarterbacks posted impressive ratings, with Cousins finishing the game with a QB rating of 106.4, while Stafford ended with a slightly lower 98.7 due to the interception.
Rushing Attack: Vikings Ground Game vs Rams Front Seven
The Minnesota Vikings once again leaned heavily on their star running back, Alexander Mattison, in the absence of Dalvin Cook. Mattison carried the ball 20 times for 94 yards and added a touchdown. His ability to find holes and break tackles allowed the Vikings to control the tempo of the game and maintain possession in key moments.
For the Rams, Kyren Williams led the backfield, rushing for 78 yards on 17 carries with 1 touchdown. Though slightly less productive than Mattison on paper, Williams had several explosive runs that shifted momentum in the Rams’ favor.
Both teams demonstrated solid blocking up front, though the Vikings had a slight edge in average yards per carry (4.7 vs. Rams’ 4.3). The run game, while not overwhelming, played a vital role in setting up play-action opportunities for both offenses.
Receiving Standouts: Big Plays and Critical Conversions
The air attack for both teams featured strong performances from top receivers. The Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson was electric, catching 9 passes for 122 yards and 1 touchdown. Jefferson’s precise route running and yards after catch (YAC) ability made him virtually unguardable. He was especially effective on third downs and red-zone plays.
T.J. Hockenson, the Vikings’ tight end, also contributed significantly with 6 catches for 58 yards and several key first-down conversions.
For the Rams, Cooper Kupp continued to prove why he’s one of the NFL’s most reliable receivers. Kupp had 8 receptions for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns, consistently beating coverage and finding soft spots in the Vikings’ zone defense.
Puka Nacua, the emerging rookie, added 5 catches for 62 yards, showing flashes of brilliance and complementing Kupp with strong intermediate routes.
These Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams match player stats clearly highlight the balance and depth of both receiving corps, with Jefferson and Kupp emerging as the game’s top targets.
Defensive Highlights: Pressure, Coverage, and Key Stops
Defense played a huge role in this contest, with both units stepping up in critical moments. The Vikings defense, led by Danielle Hunter, applied consistent pressure on Stafford, recording 3 sacks and 6 quarterback hits. Hunter alone had 1.5 sacks, along with multiple tackles for loss. The Vikings’ secondary, including Harrison Smith, was effective in limiting deep shots and forcing Stafford to settle for shorter gains.
Camryn Bynum of the Vikings recorded a crucial interception in the third quarter, which swung the momentum back toward Minnesota after a promising Rams drive.
The Rams defense, anchored by Aaron Donald, also made its presence felt. Donald notched 1 sack and disrupted several running plays with his penetration through the offensive line. Linebacker Ernest Jones led the team in tackles with 10, flying around the field and making big stops in both the run and pass game.
Both teams displayed aggressive blitzing schemes and tight man coverage, which led to a lower overall scoring game than expected.
Special Teams Impact
Special teams played an underrated but critical role in the Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams match player stats. Vikings kicker Greg Joseph was perfect on the day, converting 3 field goals and 2 extra points. His long of 52 yards came at a critical juncture late in the second quarter.
Rams kicker Brett Maher, however, missed a 47-yard attempt in the third quarter, which ultimately proved costly in a one-possession game. The Rams also had a punt return called back due to a holding penalty, erasing a potential game-changing play.
Punting on both sides was consistent, though the Vikings won the field position battle thanks to better coverage and hang time from their punter Ryan Wright.
Coaching and Game Management
Both coaching staffs came into the game well-prepared. Kevin O’Connell of the Vikings made key adjustments at halftime, particularly in defensive coverage schemes, which slowed down the Rams’ passing game in the third quarter. His decision to go for it on 4th-and-2 near midfield paid off with a sustained scoring drive.
On the Rams’ sideline, Sean McVay remained aggressive, dialing up creative play-action and misdirection plays to keep the Vikings defense off balance. However, some clock management issues in the final five minutes drew criticism, especially after a wasted timeout and a delay-of-game penalty pushed them out of field goal range.
Overall, both coaches displayed strategic awareness, but the edge went to the Vikings due to better execution in crunch time.
Turnovers and Penalties
Turnovers are often the difference-makers in close contests, and this game was no exception. The Vikings committed zero turnovers, playing a clean game, while the Rams had two — a Stafford interception and a fumble by tight end Tyler Higbee, which the Vikings recovered.
Penalties were relatively even, with the Vikings committing 5 for 45 yards and the Rams 6 for 52 yards. However, a critical holding call on a Rams scoring drive negated a 25-yard gain and ultimately forced them to punt.
Discipline on both sides was generally good, but the Vikings’ cleaner execution contributed to their edge in time of possession and overall control.
Team Stats Comparison
| Category | Minnesota Vikings | Los Angeles Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 412 | 389 |
| Passing Yards | 314 | 287 |
| Rushing Yards | 98 | 102 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Penalties | 5 for 45 yards | 6 for 52 yards |
| Time of Possession | 32:48 | 27:12 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 7/13 | 5/12 |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 3/4 | 2/4 |
Fantasy Football Takeaways
Fantasy football managers had a lot to gain—or lose—from this game. Justin Jefferson, Cooper Kupp, and Kirk Cousins delivered strong performances, making them reliable fantasy options going forward. Meanwhile, Kyren Williams and Alexander Mattison showed that they can be solid RB2s with occasional upside.
Defensive units from both teams held their own, but individual players like Danielle Hunter and Aaron Donald proved valuable in IDP (Individual Defensive Player) leagues.
Final Thoughts
The Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams match player stats reveal a closely contested battle between two well-coached, talent-laden teams. While both sides had their moments, the Vikings edged out the Rams thanks to superior execution in key phases — namely turnovers, red-zone efficiency, and special teams. Fans were treated to high-level football, and analysts now have even more data points to assess the playoff viability of both squads moving forward.
FAQs
Q: Who had the most passing yards in the game?
A: Kirk Cousins led with 314 passing yards.
Q: Which player had the highest receiving yards?
A: Justin Jefferson with 122 receiving yards.
Q: Were there any turnovers?
A: Yes, the Rams had 2 turnovers (1 INT, 1 fumble); the Vikings had none.
Q: Who was the best defensive player?
A: Danielle Hunter stood out with 1.5 sacks and multiple pressures.
Q: Did special teams affect the game outcome?
A: Yes, a missed field goal by the Rams and perfect kicking by the Vikings were key.