The Los Angeles Rams secured a thrilling 30-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, but a controversial late missed penalty call stole the spotlight on Thursday Night Football. Despite the Rams’ impressive performance, the game left fans and players fuming over what many saw as an apparent officiating blunder.
Dramatic Late Game Incident
With just over 90 seconds left in the game, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, attempting a comeback drive, was sacked in his endzone by Rams linebacker Byron Young. The sack resulted in a safety, increasing the Rams’ lead to 10 points. However, replays revealed that Young had grabbed Darnold’s face mask, twisting his head awkwardly—a move that should have resulted in a penalty.
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson expressed his frustration by slamming his helmet to the ground, and the entire Minnesota sideline erupted over the missed call. Head official Tra Blake later explained the crew’s decision: “The quarterback was facing the opposite direction from me, so I did not have a good look at it.” Blake also mentioned that the play was not reviewable.
Reactions from the Sidelines
After the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell chose not to dwell on the officiating mishap, stating, “(I’m) not going to get into the call or no call. I told our team officiating, and all that stuff is not for us to discuss.” O’Connell emphasized moving forward rather than focusing on the missed penalty.
On the broadcast, commentator Kirk Herbstreit echoed the frustration of Vikings fans, noting that Young “definitely” grabbed Darnold’s face mask. His co-commentator, Al Michaels, humorously added that fans might wonder, “What the hell,” after the missed call.
Rams’ Stellar Performance
Despite the controversy, the Rams’ performance was nothing short of impressive. With the return of star wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, quarterback Matthew Stafford was able to find his rhythm, throwing four touchdown passes. Stafford expressed his excitement about having his key targets back, saying, “It’s what you envisioned (for this offense) when training camp started.”
Kupp and Nacua combined for 12 receptions and 157 yards, while running back Kyren Williams rushed for 97 yards. Stafford praised his teammates, stating, “I was so happy and proud for those guys to be back out on the grass with us.”
A Special Win for McVay
This victory was significant for Rams head coach Sean McVay, who became the franchise’s all-time leader in wins with 80. The Rams improved to 3-4 on the season, showing promise for future games with their full roster healthy again.
Vikings Face Concerns
For the Vikings, the loss marked their second defeat in just four days, following a 5-0 start to the season. More troubling for Minnesota was the injury sustained by star left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who was ruled out of the game after a late first-half injury. Darrisaw’s absence could have significant consequences for the Vikings moving forward.
In the end, the Rams’ victory was overshadowed by the missed call, but their dominant performance on both sides of the ball cannot be overlooked.
Though the Rams walked away with a 30-20 victory, the controversial missed penalty call left many wondering what could have been for the Vikings. As the season progresses, both teams will look to address their challenges on the field. For the Rams, the return of key players and a solid win marks a turning point, while the Vikings must contend with injuries and bounce back from consecutive losses.
