The Los Angeles Rams entered Thursday night as the consensus NFC team to beat, and that certainly didn’t change after their 38-31 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Jared Goff completed 26-of-33 passes for 465 yards (!), five touchdowns (!), and no interceptions (summarized: RIP opposing fantasy owners). That’s good for a perfect 158.3 quarterback rating.
Jared Goff is the first Ram with 4 Pass TD in the 1st half since Kurt Warner in 1999. pic.twitter.com/xHUumNuXAw
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 28, 2018
I’m so glad @RamsNFL QB1 Jared Goff is having a breakout party on TNF. I think his growth as a player should teach aspiring scouts to have patience when it comes to young players. Trust what you saw on tape and don’t flinch if he gets off to a slow start. JG is playing like a No1
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) September 28, 2018
The Rams had three receivers with at least 100 yards receiving: Cooper Kupp (9/162/2), Brandin Cooks (7/116/1), and Robert Woods (5/101/1).
Jared Goff is on fire in the first half. His third touchdown was an absolute DIME to Kupp.
(via @ramsNFL)pic.twitter.com/WsWYEFbmal
— PFF (@PFF) September 28, 2018
Fastest player on the roster gets smoked by Brandin Cooks pic.twitter.com/R0tTgVUWhW
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) September 28, 2018
.@YG THROWING DOWN WITH @robertwoods 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/DIyFX1c415
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 28, 2018
The Rams 4-0 are 4-0 for the first time since 2001, the “Greatest Show on Turf” (St. Louis) Rams.
Rams off to their best start since The Greatest Show on Turf pic.twitter.com/wRMAsI7Kn8
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 28, 2018
And the incredible offensive production came against a Vikings defense that was viewed as one of the better ones in the NFL entering this season. Well, it also came after the Vikings allowed 27 points in Week 3 at home to Josh Allen. Maybe the Vikings’ defense isn’t anywhere close to as good as we thought it was?
The "#Vikings are a top NFL defense" narrative is officially dead.
— The Daily Norseman ░V░I░K░ I░N░G░S░ ░I░N░ ░B░I░0░ (@DailyNorseman) September 28, 2018
#Vikings Defense since 2017 Playoffs:
-vs Saints: 24 pts
-at Eagles: 38 pts
-vs 49ers: 16 pts
-at Packers: 29 pts
-vs Bills: 27 pts
-at Rams: 28 pts (Half).— Cory Hepola (@CoryHepola) September 28, 2018
The #Rams averaged over 10 yards per play on offense against the #Vikings….Let that set in for a minute.
— Matt Williamson (@WilliamsonNFL) September 28, 2018
The Vikings’ offense, however, was very productive. Kirk Cousins put up insane passing numbers himself, completing 36-of-50 passes, for 422 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. However, Aaron Donald and the Rams’ front seven were able to step up when it mattered:
AARON DONALD 💪🏼🔥https://t.co/4WwCNJ9O1h
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) September 28, 2018
Cousins is stripped.#LARams BALL. #MINvsLAR
📺: @nflnetwork + @NFLonFOX
📱+💻: https://t.co/DJUityQHC9 https://t.co/w45oGyrXXj— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2018
The Rams are showing that 2017 was no fluke and they’re an offensive juggernaut under second-year coach Sean McVay (we haven’t even mentioned running back Todd Gurley!). They’ll look to move to 5-0 when they take on the Seahawks next week in Seattle.
