Thursday Night Football: Vikings and Rams tied 14-14 at halftime

Thursday night’s game between the Vikings and Rams started with four consecutive touchdowns. But things slowed down in the second quarter, as the score was 14:14 at halftime.

Rams receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are playing for the first time in several weeks, and it’s easy to see that quarterback Matthew Stafford has his two best receivers back. Stafford finished the first half 13 of 18 for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

Nacua caught four passes for 64 yards and had a 7-yard run. Kupp had receptions there for 15 yards with a TD.

Quarterback Sam Darnold got off to a good start for Minnesota, completing each of his first eight passes. He finished the first half 10 of 13 for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

Minnesota got the ball first and went straight down the field, with Darnold hitting tight end Josh Oliver for a 5-yard touchdown pass.

The Rams responded with a 5-yard touchdown reception from running back Kyren Williams before Darnold hit receiver Trent Sherfield for another 5-yard score, making the Vikings 14-7.

But Los Angeles got right back on the field, and Stafford made an outstanding play to find Kupp in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown that tied the game at 14-14.

At that point, things slowed down for Minnesota with back-to-back three-and-outs. Rookie Jared Verse got his second sack of the season to help lead the Vikings.

The Rams also failed to score, faltering after six plays on one possession and eight plays on the next possession.

Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw was sidelined at the end of the first half with an apparent leg injury. With the coach’s support, he carefully left the field and went straight to the locker room. David Quessenberry came in to replace Darrisaw on Minnesota’s final play, which was a kneel.

Williams has 11 carries for 73 yards and four catches for 12 yards with a TD.

Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson caught all six of his targets for 74 yards. Aaron Jones had 38 yards on nine carries.

The Rams get the kickoff for the second half.