Matthew Stafford throws four touchdowns as Rams’ offense ramps up against Vikings | NFL

Cooper Kupp caught a touchdown pass and Puka Nacua scored 106 yards on his returns after a long injury layoff and Matthew Stafford passed for 279 yards and four touchdowns in the Los Angeles Rams’ 30-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.

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

After missing the previous five games, Nacua hauled in seven catches, earning the eighth 100-yard game of his short career. Kupp returned from a four-game absence with five catches for 51 yards, including a 27-yard grab for a crucial first down late in the fourth quarter.

Kyren Williams rushed for 97 yards and caught an early TD pass for the Rams. Robinson caught a 25-yard TD pass late in the third quarter to give Los Angeles the lead, and he caught a 10-yard TD throw with 6:17 to play to take a 28-20 lead. Byron Young then sacked Sam Darnold for a safety with 1:36 left, grabbing Darnold’s facemask in the process. The officials didn’t throw a flag, sealing the Rams’ third straight win over Minnesota.

Darnold passed for 240 yards for the Vikings (5-2), who had an ineffective defensive performance following their first loss of the season. Minnesota also lost starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw to a knee injury late in the first half. Justin Jefferson had eight balls for 115 yards, while Josh Oliver and Trent Sherfield caught TD passes from Darnold. Minnesota suffered two field goals in the final three quarters.

Stafford threw at least four touchdown passes for the 16th time in his career, including four with the Rams. The veteran had only thrown a total of three TD passes in the Rams’ first six games.

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