MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The defense that fueled Minnesota's 5-0 start with a disruptive pass rush and a swarm of tacklers to stop the run has had a rough week, humbled by a couple of code-cracking quarterbacks and their savvy play-callers. Four days after the Vikings took their first loss of the season at the hands of Detroit's high-octane offense, they were beaten again at Los Angeles by another potent group following a similar blueprint. Just like Jared Goff did for the Lions in their 31-29 victory on Sunday, the Vikings had their zone pass coverage picked apart by the Rams' Matthew Stafford in LA's 30-20 win on Thursday night.
Goff and Stafford combined to go 47 for 59 for 559 yards and six touchdowns, and the one turnover the Vikings forced in each game wasn't enough to slow down the opposition. There's no shame in giving up throws to players like Goff and Stafford. The Lions are thriving behind the direction of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson with one of the most balanced lineups in the game, ranking second in the NFL in yards per game and third in points.
The Rams, inconveniently for the Vikings, welcomed standout wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back from injuries and quickly hit their stride in a commanding fashion reminiscent of their Super Bowl champion team of three years ago. Against the Lions, the Vikings sacked Goff four times with some effective pressure early and late, but he was largely untouched and in rhythm in the middle quarters. They simply never.
