Minnesota Vikings vs. LA Rams Live Score Updates: NFL Week 16
This is big-time, critically important, post-Christmas football. The Vikings (7-7) are set to kick off a huge game against the LA Rams (10-4) at U.S. Bank Stadium. A win would be massive for the Vikings' hopes of securing one of the final two playoff spots in the NFC, while the Rams are fighting to have at least one home game in the postseason.
The Vikings lost Dalvin Cook to the COVID list for this game, meaning Alexander Mattison starts at running back for the fourth time this year. However, they do get Adam Thielen back after the veteran receiver missed three games with a high-ankle sprain.
Offensively, the Vikings will feed Mattison while trying to get Justin Jefferson going in a tough matchup against Jalen Ramsey. The big concern is how their offensive line holds up against Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Leonard Floyd, and the Rams' stout front seven. Kirk Cousins is playing through a cracked rib, so the Vikings would like to avoid having him take a bunch of big hits.
Defensively, the Vikings will try to slow down Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and the Rams' explosive offense. Sony Michel will be the Rams' lead running back in this game.
Stay tuned right here for score updates all game long and follow me on Twitter for additional analysis.
Final Score: Rams 30, Vikings 23
Fourth Quarter
Rams 30, Vikings 20
2:03 — That'll probably do it. The Rams get a field goal and take a two-score lead with just over two minutes left.
Rams 27, Vikings 20
8:21 — The Vikings are still alive. They drive 75 yards in just over 3 minutes and cut it to a one-score game with a KJ Osborn touchdown. Can they get a stop?
Rams 27, Vikings 13
11:37 — That could be a killer blow by the Rams. They drive down and take their biggest lead of the game on an Odell Beckham Jr. touchdown.
Third Quarter
Rams 20, Vikings 13
1:34 — A great Vikings drive ends in frustration as they have to settle for a short field goal after getting inside the LA 5-yard-line.
Rams 20, Vikings 10
7:06 – Brutal turn of events for the Vikings. A false start turns a third-and-4 into a third-and-9 situation, they don't get it, and Brandon Powell returns the punt 61 yards for a touchdown.
9:18 — The Rams go three and out on a bad throw by Stafford, and the Vikings will get the ball back with a chance to tie it or take the lead.
Rams 13, Vikings 10
11:01 — Wow. ANOTHER interception for Stafford, with Dalvin Tomlinson tipping this one and Anthony Barr coming down with his second of the game. The Vikings finally capitalize as Alexander Mattison gets in from two yards out.
11:25 — The Vikings continue to be unable to capitalize on defensive takeaways. Xavier Woods came up with a pick on a Stafford deep ball, but the offense turned around and did nothing. That's not going to get it done.
Second Quarter
Rams 13, Vikings 3
0:11 — The Rams settle for another field goal because of some nice red zone defense by the Vikings. Minnesota had another near-interception dropped by Kris Boyd off a defelection.
Rams 10, Vikings 3
2:34 — The Vikings can't really take advantage of the big takeaway. Kirk Cousins was sacked on first down and they had to settle for a short field goal. Also, Adam Thielen was hurt after a catch and may have aggravated his ankle injury. It doesn't look good.
4:11 — Matthew Stafford throws one right to Anthony Barr for a massive interception. The Vikings have the ball in the red zone.
Rams 10, Vikings 0
6:37 — The Rams settle for a field goal on their second red zone possession. That's a relative win for the Vikings' defense, which got gashed on the ground that entire drive. The Vikings offense hasn't done much outside out their second drive.
First Quarter
0:17 — A promising Vikings drive ends without any points as Cousins' pass hits off K.J. Osborn's hands and is picked off in the end zone. That's a rough blow for the Minnesota offense.
Rams 7, Vikings 0
7:13 — The Rams just made it look easy on their first offensive series. They drove 70 yards on 12 plays and scored first on a Sony Michel 1-yard run. A Cameron Dantzler dropped interception looms large after that touchdown.
13:05 — The Vikings go three and out on the game's opening possession. That's not a great omen for the rest of the afternoon, but we'll see.
