The Los Angeles Rams’ (3-4) win vs. the Minnesota Vikings (5-2) on Thursday was crucial to salvaging the season. With two straight wins after the bye, LA sits with the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, both three-win teams. The Rams are just one win under NFC West leaders in the Seattle Seahawks, who they play next week.
Despite the strong performance against the Vikings, one controversy has the NFL world in uproar.
Rams “Thursday Night Football” Win vs. Vikings Marred by Missed Call
With 1:36 left on the game clock and stuck on his five-yard line, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold dropped back in the end zone. As he eyed the left side of the field, looking for superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Rams edge rusher Byron Young beat his man.
Face to face with Darnold, Young grabbed a fist full of the former Trojan’s facemask, pulling him to the ground. With his hands on his head, Young went back to prepare for third down. To the surprise of Young and those watching, there was no flag.
Safety, Rams up 30-20. Even the broadcast was shocked.
Thursday Night Football commentator and College GameDay’s own Kirk Herbstreit said as much on the call.
“Young works through and, he got a hold of something there,” said Herbstreit. “Yeah he got that facemask, he sure did.”
Young’s play essentially ended the game as the Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford kneeled the rest of the way.
Afterward, Young took accountability for the penalty but understood why no penalty was called.
“In the moment I thought it was a horse collar, but then I felt my hand grab a little bit of his facemask,” said Young. “In the moment it happened so fast it was hard to tell.”
The Officials Respond
Due to the NFL rules, the play was not reviewable, and the Vikings had no choice but to take the no-call in stride.
It is difficult to say that Minnesota would have won the game if the penalty was called. With less than two minutes on the clock, no timeouts and needing to drive 80 yards downfield to score a touchdown, the Vikings were in a tough spot. However, not calling the facemask did not give them the opportunity.
When asked about the no-call, lead referee Jerome Blake, who was standing just behind the play, confirmed the play was not reviewable and explained his perspective.
“On that play, the quarterback was facing the opposite direction from me so I did not have a good look at it,” said Blake. “We couldn’t see it. We did discuss it as a crew, but we weren’t able to see it on the field so we weren’t able to make that call.”
The moment has led to many fans and media members calling on the NFL to expand replay assistance for officials.
A Solid Defensive Performance vs. Vikings Saves Season
The dialogue surrounding the no-call on the safety cluttered up an otherwise solid defensive performance from the Rams. Los Angeles held Minnesota, a team averaging 28 points scored through their first six games, to 20 points. Despite giving up two touchdowns in the first quarter, the Rams held the Vikings to just two field goals for the remainder of the game.
Defensive coordinator Chris Shula, grandson of legendary Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula, accomplished this through the pass rush. The Rams sacked Darnold three times for 28 yards on Thursday, with all sacks arriving at crucial times.
Rams rookie edge rusher Jared Verse put on a show at SoFi Stadium, finally earning his second sack of the year after several weeks leading rookies in pressures. His first sack came on first and 10 in the second quarter when he powered through tight end Josh Oliver for a 10-yard Vikings loss. After the sack, Verse performed the signature Skol thunderclap, a signature Vikings celebration.
Verse also picked up half a sack in the fourth. Positive field position and a 25-yard completion from Darnold put the Vikings in Rams territory, seemingly poised for another touchdown. On 2nd and 8, Verse brought Darnold down once more as linebacker Michael Hoecht finished the sack.
Shula’s defense also held the Vikings to a season-low 64 rushing yards. In the second quarter, the Vikings gained just eight yards of offense, their lowest in a quarter all season.
Despite the controversy on Minnesota’s final drive, the Rams defense played a smart game by buckling down when it mattered, stuffing the run, and getting to the quarterback.
Going Forward
Looking forward to Week 8, all eyes are on the Seahawks and wide receiver DK Metcalf. Metcalf is doubtful for Week 7 with a Grade 1 MCL Sprain and could potentially miss time. If the two-time Pro-Bowler missed the Rams game, it would drastically improve the team’s chances. If the Rams beat the Seahawks, they would rise to 4-4 and could take the NFC West division lead.
This hypothetical scenario depends on how the Cardinals perform in the next two weeks, who are undefeated in division matches. Regardless, this discussion is a far cry from those Rams fans were having just two weeks ago.
Although the season looked all but over a few weeks ago, the Rams have begun to turn the ship around.
Main Image Courtesy of Alex Gallardo – Imagn Images
