LOS ANGELES – Sprinting onto the SoFi Stadium field, the Los Angeles Rams‘ star duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua were welcomed with adulation and joy as the two ran ahead of star quarterback Matthew Stafford, who received an ovation worthy of a Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

The brief moment of respite was welcomed after what has been a tumultuous handful of weeks for the Rams, with Kupp and Stafford both being subjected to trade rumors while Nacua returns from injury. But for a handful of moments before Thursday’s game, fans were given hope of what could have been with Stafford, Kupp, and Nacua back on the field together.

And early in the first half, the Rams showed what they could do when all pieces worked in unison as intended. After giving up an eight-play, 70-yard drive to the Minnesota Vikings that resulted in a touchdown in the first quarter, it was Los Angeles’ turn to score.

Stafford immediately targeted Nacua and it was clear the latter was rusty, hauling in the ball before dropping it. Instead of looking elsewhere, Stafford targeted the wideout again, this time leading to a 13-yard gain and a first down. Once again, the 36-year-old threw it to Nacua – which led to a Rams equalizer on a Kyren Williams touchdown – showing how comfortable the veteran was throwing it to the 23-year-old.

In the second quarter and with the Rams down by a score, Los Angeles began its 10-play, 70-yard drive with Stafford passing it to Nacua numerous times to get into the red zone. After numerous attempts to run the ball for a score with no luck, Stafford expertly evaded the Minnesota defense before finding Kupp for a seven-yard touchdown to cut into the deficit.

Aside from Stafford’s connection with Kupp, the second quarter was a defensive battle between the two teams. Both teams punted the ball for times, showing just how defensively minded both teams were after Kupp’s touchdown.

Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a touchdown pass reception in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California

Cooper Kupp snared a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford in the second quarter ( 

Image:

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The third quarter was more of the same as the second, with both teams fighting for any sort of break in their opponent’s defense. However, there was a moment when Stafford almost connected with Nacua on a massive gain, but it was ruled incomplete.

Instead, Stafford connected with Demarcus Robinson to put the Rams ahead. And while the play ended in a touchdown for Los Angeles, it showed just how important Kupp and Nacua’s presence is for Los Angeles, with the Vikings’ defense paying extra attention to the two stars, leading to other options being open.

Overall, Nacua and Kupp’s play with Stafford showed promise, especially with the former out for an extended period. Nacua finished the game with 106 yards on seven receptions while the former Super Bowl MVP racked up 51 yards and a touchdown on five catches.

Despite the back-and-forth nature of the game, the main point stands: Los Angeles is a force to be reckoned with once it can get Kupp, Nacua, and Stafford on the same page.

While it might be easy to see the Rams as sellers with the trade deadline looming, the pieces certainly are there for Los Angeles to capitalize on a weakened NFC West with the division having no clear standout team.

If the Rams can put the pieces to the puzzle together quickly, it is entirely possible to see Los Angeles rocketing to the top of the NFC West. And their 30-20 win against the Vikings was just an example.