The NFL finds its next playoff contender with the Los Angeles Rams. The franchise from California wins an open game at the Minnesota Vikings.

Munich – The Los Angeles Rams are in the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. With the 30:23 (13:3) at the Minnesota Vikings, the Californians celebrated their eleventh win of the season and also took the lead in the NFC West. It was the fourth win in a row.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford (197 passing yards, one touchdown pass) was shaky in between, serving up three interceptions within four drives – two of them to Anthony Barr. Kirk Cousins (315 passing yards, one touchdown pass) also served an opposing pro involuntarily on one occasion.

Touchdown by OBJ

The visitors could rely on Cooper Kupp (109 receiving yards) as usual, Sony Michel (131 rushing yards, one touchdown run) also covered more than a field length. Odell Beckham Jr. (37 receiving yards) and Brandon Powell, who carried a punt return 61 yards into the end zone, provided the other touchdowns.

For Minnesota, Alexander Mattison (41 rushing yards) scored shortly after Stafford’s third interception and K.J. Osborn (68 receiving yards).

Justin Jefferson (116 receiving yards) set a new record for receiving yards in his first two NFL seasons, but that probably wasn’t even a consolation for him, especially since the Vikings slipped out of the playoff ranks.

Thielen injured ankle again

While Dalvin Cook spent the game day on the Covid list, Adam Thielen (40 receiving yards), who had just recovered from an ankle injury, had to leave the field in the meantime with a similar injury. After two recent victories, Minnesota suffered another setback.

For Rams head coach Sean McVay it remains the same: if his team is leading at the break, it will win. That was now the case for the 45th time.

On the penultimate day of the regular season, the Rams will play the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday. The Vikings are at division rival Green Bay Packers in the Sunday Night Game.