EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings and Rams are on Prime in Week 8, and it just so happens that SoFi Stadium will become the eighth different venue to host a game in the series.
The teams have met 47 previous times in the regular season or playoffs, but the Vikings are seeking their first win over the Rams in Southern Cal since Nov. 29, 1992. Minnesota (5-1) has only visited Los Angeles (2-4) one time since the Rams returned to the West Coast.
That 2018 contest is the only Thursday game in NFL history with 800+ combined passing yards and 8+ passing touchdowns. It featured five players recording more than 100 receiving yards at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
Kickoff for this year's rematch is set for 7:15 p.m. (CT).
Vikings Uniform
Because the Rams are choosing to wear white jerseys, the Vikings will feature purple jerseys on white pants, a look usually sported in home games.
4 Storylines
1. Battle of the brains
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and Sean McVay of the Rams won Super Bowl LVI together. Their great friendship is well documented, but there'll be nothing friendly about trying to outsmart the other.
O'Connell on Monday assured the importance of not getting swept up with the coaching competition – both are regarded as elite offensive play designers – and that on-field execution will be the difference.
Nevertheless, it's exciting that the first meeting between teams led by O'Connell and McVay is getting prime-time treatment. The Vikings have an objective edge in personnel, but the one-year younger McVay, entrenched in Year 8 at the helm of the Rams, has been at the helm far longer than O'Connell, who was hired by Minnesota in 2022.
"I'm not going to say they're the same guys, but they definitely have some similarities in offensive structure and play calls and things they're trying to get done," Vikings safety Harrison Smith said Tuesday.
"I'm with K.O., though," Smith added, smiling. "K.O.'s been pretty dialed in this whole year."
2. National audience
The Vikings are the best surprise of 2024 so far.
They were widely picked to finish last in the NFC North. Their quarterback was viewed as a bridge to the future, not a player capable of sparking MVP consideration like he's done. There were doubts even about the defense, particularly its cornerbacks after the tragic death of Khyree Jackson and Mekhi Blackmon's season-ending injury. Now there's an expanding bandwagon that believes Minnesota is made of the right stuff.
It's one of three NFL teams with one or fewer losses. Sam Darnold is in the top 10 in passing touchdowns (12), passer rating (104.0) and yards gained per attempt (8.4). The defense ranks first with 11 interceptions and second with 14 takeaways. It also has the third-most sacks (24) and 11 more pressures than anyone else (89). The Vikings trailed for 3:26 over the first five weeks and initially led the Lions by 10 last Sunday.
Thursday is the first of two consecutive Vikings games on national television thanks to their Week 9 matchup against Indianapolis getting flexed to Sunday Night Football. Good things are worth waiting for.
3. Balancing rest and readiness on short week
Massages become film sessions, and consumption of cookies and cereal are scaled back.
That's some of what it takes to play two NFL games less than 100 hours apart.
"My best thing is to get moving on Monday [and Tuesday] then relax Wednesday, the day before the game, and really just treat it like you're getting ready for Thursday practice," safety Camryn Bynum said. "Thursday practices are normally tough days anyways, so you just have to move your mindset to that."
It means sacrificing time usually allotted for practice and time with family, as well.
"First things first, Sunday night after the game, I let the wife know I won't be around much," defensive lineman Harrison Phillips said, explaining his routine. "There's not a lot of time. So even though on other weeks I might have a 90-minute or two-hour massage where I can kind of relax and meditate or pray, [Tuesday night] I'll be watching two hours of film during my massage just trying to double-up the time."
Phillips saves eating his unhealthiest meals – chocolate chip cookies for instance – for after games. But during a short week, there's less time to cram in cheat calories, and an emphasis on hydration and good fuel.
4. Justin Jefferson on brink of breakout
Since gaining the bulk of his lone 100-yard receiving game this season on a 97-yard catch-and-sprint touchdown in Week 2 against San Francisco, Vikings star wideout Justin Jefferson has topped out at 92 yards over his last four games. He's averaged 84.8 yards on 6.3 catches and 9.5 targets in that stretch.
A monster game could be on the doorstep for "Jets."
"It's right there. It's right there," Jefferson expressed confidently. "I'm definitely sick of having these 80-, 90-yard games. I've definitely got to get over that hump of 100 yards. That's definitely my plan. But if you see it on tape, the explosive plays are all over the field – not just me – just all over the field."
Slightly better execution as an offense should push Jefferson into a range he's accustomed to – he leads all players with 20 games of 125-plus yards since his debut season in 2020 (Miami's Tyreek Hill has 17).
Jefferson, for what it's worth, already has as many TD catches in six games in 2024 (5) as he produced in 10 last year. Also, he's received the fourth-highest share of his team's air yards (44.09%) per Next Gen Stats – granted, his receiving yards per game has dipped to its lowest (88.5) since his rookie year (87.5).
3 Things 'Bout the Rams
1. Cooper Kupp is back
Cooper Kupp, the MVP of Super Bowl LVI and veteran target of the Los Angeles passing game, hasn't played since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2, but he's expected to rejoin the Rams offense Thursday.
"Obviously, he's the highlight of their offense [when he's healthy]," safety Joshua Metellus said. "He's definitely somebody we're going to have to pay attention to. We know the case when he plays."
After Kupp won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2021 and O'Connell left his post as offensive coordinator in L.A. to become head coach of the Vikings, his new star receiver was curious.
Jefferson wanted to know the secrets that helped Kupp uncover so consistently. So, he asked, and O'Connell answered. The conversation, Jefferson remembered, was simple – and motivating.
"If you want to be one of the best receivers," he recalled, "you have to be dialed into everything."
The concepts; the intent of plays; the assignments of every position on the field; and Jefferson took the advice to heart. He walks the hallways at team headquarters talking shop, game planning with O'Connell.
"Ever since that day, I definitely [have been] dialed in," Jefferson stated. "I wanted to be on that same level. I wanted to be running wide open even if I'm getting doubled and tripled. So it's just all part of the system, all part of the process. I've just got to be mentally focused [and] of course physically prepared."
Look back on images from past games between the Vikings and the Rams.





























































































































































An image from the Nov. 20, 2017 regular season home game against the LA Rams. The Vikings won 24-7.

An image from the Nov. 20, 2017 regular season home game against the LA Rams. The Vikings won 24-7.

An image from the Nov. 20, 2017 regular season home game against the LA Rams. The Vikings won 24-7.

An image from the Nov. 20, 2017 regular season home game against the LA Rams. The Vikings won 24-7.

An image from the Nov. 20, 2017 regular season home game against the LA Rams. The Vikings won 24-7.

An image from the Nov. 20, 2017 regular season home game against the LA Rams. The Vikings won 24-7.

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2021

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2021
2. Banged up across the board
Los Angeles' Injured Reserve list is littered with contributors, including a handful of Week 1 starters on offense: left tackle Joseph Noteboom, left guard Steve Avila, center Jonah Jackson and wide receiver Puka Nacua. The Rams also are without veteran safety John Johnson III; tight end Tyler Higbee is recovering from an ACL tear in January, as well. Suffice it to say, L.A. has been nipped by the injury bug.
The losses have taken a tremendous toll on the Rams passing attack. Kupp and Nacua have accounted for 147 and 35 yards receiving. Tutu Atwell leads the group with 332. The club is tied with Miami's injury-stricken quarterbacks room for the fewest touchdown passes through seven weeks, with three.
3. Familiar foe in Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford has played the Vikings once since leaving Motown for Hollywood. In his 22nd start against Minnesota, on Dec. 26, 2021, Stafford was intercepted three times but sustained a big enough lead – with help from a 61-yard punt return touchdown by Brandon Powell – to hang on for a 30-23 win.
Stafford is revered across the sport for his determination and ability to make any throw. His 2024 numbers are down because Los Angeles has been so thin at receiver, but his I.Q. and arm talent persist.
What's top of mind when Stafford's name is mentioned? Take it from Smith, who finally picked off the long-time Lion in his very last appearance against the Vikings as Detroit's quarterback (Jan. 3, 2021).
"I think toughness is the number one thing," Smith shared. "He's an all-time competitor and has the ability to do pretty much whatever he wants with the ball. He's gotten me on a no-look [pass] before. We've had games where we've hit him a bunch, and he's always picking himself up and moving on and making plays with his legs. He's just an all-around guy that I have a high level of admiration for, for sure."
2 Vikings to Track
Sam Darnold: The Southern California native and former USC Trojan will return to the Golden State with a shot at recording his sixth game of 2024 with a passer rating above 100, which would continue expanding on his previous single-season career high of four.
Justin Jefferson: The Vikings receiver and Kupp are two of four players with 100-plus receiving yards and a touchdown since 2020. If Jefferson hits the century mark, he will break Randy Moss' record of 30 such games in a player's first five seasons. Jefferson will enter the game needing just 4 receiving yards to pass Jake Reed (6,433) and move into the top 5 in franchise history.
1 Key Matchup
Vikings linebackers vs. Rams running back Kyren Williams
Last week, without starting "Mike" linebacker and green dot Blake Cashman, the Vikings tried to keep the Lions guessing by mixing up the personnel beside Ivan Pace, Jr., at inside linebacker. Safeties Joshua Metellus and Harrison Smith played 37 and 12 snaps in the box according to Pro Football Focus. Kamu Grugier-Hill logged nine, as did outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel; even OLB Dallas Turner had two snaps inside.
It wasn't as effective as planned. The middle of the field was laced into by Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs got loose, averaging 8.42 yards per touch with touchdown runs of 45 and 8 yards. Gibbs isn't the biggest or strongest, but he hits the hole in a blink and makes defenders miss.
That gives the Rams hope for its backfield against the Vikings, who again will be without Cashman.
Kyren Williams is a runner similarly capable of devastating defenses on the ground and through the air. The Rams ball carrier is tied for the NFL lead with eight rushing touchdowns and is averaging the most rushes per game (19.3) among players who've appeared in at least four. He's also averaging 2.3 catches.
"I'm most impressed about how sometimes it will look like the edge is set and he's still able to give ground and get the edge on teams," Phillips said. "Also, his cutback and vision have been very impressive."
According to Next Gen Stats, Williams has the second-lowest average time behind the line of scrimmage (2.55 seconds) on rushing plays, which indicates he's explosive and likes to get north-south in a hurry.
Williams had 100-plus scrimmage yards in Weeks 3-5 and served a pair of touchdown runs in Week 7 when the Rams came off their bye. He's responsible for 14 TDs in nine games dating to Dec. 17, 2023.
View home and away photos of the Vikings 2024 regular season opponents.

Week 1 | Vikings at Giants
Sept. 8 - Noon (CT)
MetLife Stadium

Week 1 | Vikings at Giants
Sept. 8 - Noon (CT)
MetLife Stadium

Week 2 | Vikings vs. 49ers
Sept. 15 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 2 | Vikings vs. 49ers
Sept. 15 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 3 | Vikings vs. Texans
Sept. 22 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 3 | Vikings vs. Texans
Sept. 22 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 4 | Vikings at Packers
Sept. 29 - Noon (CT)
Lambeau Field

Week 4 | Vikings at Packers
Sept. 29 - Noon (CT)
Lambeau Field

Week 5 | Vikings vs. Jets
Oct. 6 - 8:30 a.m. (CT)
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Week 5 | Vikings vs. Jets
Oct. 6 - 8:30 a.m. (CT)
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Week 7 | Vikings vs. Lions
Oct. 20 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 7 | Vikings vs. Lions
Oct. 20 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 8 | Vikings at Rams (Thursday)
Oct. 24 - 7:15 p.m. (CT)
SoFi Stadium

Week 8 | Vikings at Rams (Thursday)
Oct. 24 - 7:15 p.m. (CT)
SoFi Stadium

Week 9 | Vikings vs. Colts
Nov. 3 - 7:20 p.m. (CT)
Sunday Night Football
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 9 | Vikings vs. Colts
Nov. 3 - 7:20 p.m. (CT)
Sunday Night Football
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 10 | Vikings at Jaguars
Nov. 10 - Noon (CT)
EverBank Stadium

Week 10 | Vikings at Jaguars
Nov. 10 - Noon (CT)
EverBank Stadium

Week 11 | Vikings at Titans
Nov. 17 - Noon (CT)
Nissan Stadium

Week 11 | Vikings at Titans
Nov. 17 - Noon (CT)
Nissan Stadium

Week 12 | Vikings at Bears
Nov. 24 - Noon (CT)
Soldier Field

Week 12 | Vikings at Bears
Nov. 24 - Noon (CT)
Soldier Field

Week 13 | Vikings vs Cardinals
Dec. 1 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 13 | Vikings vs Cardinals
Dec. 1 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 14 | Vikings vs. Falcons
Dec. 8 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 14 | Vikings vs. Falcons
Dec. 8 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 15 | Vikings vs. Bears (Monday)
Dec. 16 - 7 p.m. (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 15 | Vikings vs. Bears (Monday)
Dec. 16 - 7 p.m. (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 16 | Vikings at Seahawks
Dec. 22 - 3:05 p.m. (CT)
Lumen Field

Week 16 | Vikings at Seahawks
Dec. 22 - 3:05 p.m. (CT)
Lumen Field

Week 17 | Vikings vs. Packers
Dec. 29 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 17 | Vikings vs. Packers
Dec. 29 - Noon (CT)
U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 18 | Vikings at Lions
Sunday Night Football
Jan. 5 - 7:20 p.m. (CT)
Ford Field

Week 18 | Vikings at Lions
Sunday Night Football
Jan. 5 - 7:20 p.m. (CT)
Ford Field
Memorable Week 8 Quotes
Camryn Bynum on learning from a tough loss
"It's really a blessing in disguise because when you win you think you're on top of the world and you may look past certain small things, but when you lose, now your human nature is like, 'Let me look at every single small part of this loss that we had, and how can I fix it?' "
Joshua Metellus on forcing turnovers
"Just like when you practice Cover 2, you practice Cover 3, we practice turnovers on a daily basis. When you practice something, when you get good at something, it's definitely sustainable — it's all about just having that mindset."
Aaron Jones, Sr., on Cam Akers overcoming two Achilles injuries
"It says a lot, and I think the biggest thing it says about him, he has it tattooed on his back: resilient. You see nothing's gonna stop him. He comes in here happy every day; even my first time meeting him. I mean, I've met him after games quickly – quick interactions – but really getting to meet him, talk to him, he's a joy to have here. I'm happy I get to pick his brain as well. So me, him, and Ty [Chandler], Myles [Gaskin] are all picking each other's brains and seeing how we can get better."
Harrison Phillips on the team's mindset
"I'm sure two months ago if you asked people in this locker room, 'Would you be OK with a 5-1 start?' they would say, 'Yeah,' but the disappointment and the frustration and the 'want-ingness' to learn and the 'want-ingness' to move forward shows how mature of a team we have and how hungry of a team we have because we know what we can accomplish."
Sam Darnold on returning to Southern California roots
"Whenever I land in LAX, it's always fun to be able to go home, but in the same breath, you know, just going there on a business trip, especially on a short week. ... But it will be nice to see some family members and [friends] before and after the game that I haven't seen in quite some time."
From the Inbox
Lions are in the past. It is clear that the Vikings are one of the top teams in the NFL. So let's move on, correct those pre-snap penalties on offense and get Cashman back to align our defensive formations quicker. IF [T.J.] Hockenson & [Dalton] Risner are healthy, let's add another star (& more depth) to our offense. Great Job Vikings! Now let's quickly move on (mentally & physically) to the Rams game. We have LOTS of victories ahead of us.
— Dan Poepard
The offensive penalties were probably the most disappointing aspect when the Vikings evaluated Sunday's game because they were self-inflicted and occurred in a game with a very small margin of error. Important games against good teams are like that. Ideally, the experience ratchets up the focus that much tighter.
Hockenson and Risner were listed as questionable on Wednesday's final injury report of Week 8. Either or both is eligible to be activated Thursday, but the Vikings would have to make changes to their 53-man roster. The team also has until Thursday to make decisions on elevations from the practice squad.
A quick turnaround mentally and physically will be necessary in not letting one loss turn into two.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of January 14, 2024.

3 WR Jordan Addison

3 WR Jordan Addison

RB Cam Akers

RB Cam Akers

6 LB Brian Asamoah II

6 LB Brian Asamoah II

56 C Garrett Bradbury

56 C Garrett Bradbury

64 G Blake Brandel

64 G Blake Brandel

90 DL Jonathan Bullard

90 DL Jonathan Bullard

24 S Camryn Bynum

24 S Camryn Bynum

51 LB Blake Cashman

51 LB Blake Cashman

32 RB Ty Chandler

32 RB Ty Chandler

14 QB Sam Darnold

QB Sam Darnold

42 LS Andrew DePaola

42 LS Andrew DePaola

69 C/G Dan Feeney

69 C Dan Feeney

2 CB Stephon Gilmore

2 CB Stephon Gilmore

58 OLB Jonathan Greenard

58 OLB Jonathan Greenard

1 CB Shaq Griffin

1 CB Shaq Griffin

54 LB Kamu Grugier-Hill

54 LB Kamu Grugier-Hill

30 FB C.J. Ham

30 FB C.J. Ham

87 TE TJ Hockenson

87 TE T.J. Hockenson

67 G Ed Ingram

67 G Ed Ingram

26 S Theo Jackson

26 S Theo Jackson

18 WR Justin Jefferson

18 WR Justin Jefferson

33 RB Aaron Jones Sr.

33 RB Aaron Jones

13 QB Daniel Jones

13 QB Daniel Jones

91 OLB Pat Jones II

91 OLB Pat Jones II

65 OL Michael Jurgens

65 G Michael Jurgens

29 CB Dwight McGlothern

29 CB Dwight McGlothern

44 S Josh Metellus

44 S Joshua Metellus

23 CB Fabian Moreau

23 CB Fabian Moreau

12 QB Nick Mullens

12 QB Nick Mullens

86 TE Johnny Mundt

86 TE Johnny Mundt

7 CB Byron Murphy

7 CB Byron Murphy Jr.

83 WR Jalen Nailor

83 WR Jalen Nailor

75 T Brian O'Neill

75 T Brian O'Neill

84 TE Josh Oliver

84 TE Josh Oliver

0 LB Ivan Pace Jr.

0 LB Ivan Pace Jr.

57 DL Harrison Phillips

97 DL Harrison Phillips

4 WR Brandon Powell

4 WR Brandon Powell

76 T David Quessenberry

76 T David Quessenberry

61 DL Jalen Redmond

61 DL Jalen Redmond

16 K Will Reichard

16 K Will Reichard

98 OLB Bo Richter

98 OLB Bo Richter

66 G Dalton Risner

66 G Dalton Risner

74 T Cam Robinson

74 T Cam Robinson

50 DL Levi Drake Rodriguez

DL Levi Drake Rodriguez

78 T Walter Rouse

78 T Walter Rouse

11 WR Trent Sherfield Sr.

11 WR Trent Sherfield Sr.

22 S Harrison Smith

22 S Harrison Smith

99 DL Jerry Tillery

99 DL Jerry Tillery

15 OLB Dallas Turner

15 OLB Dallas Turner
