The Los Angeles Rams were on the verge of falling out of the playoff race in the NFC after starting the season 2-4, but they might've just saved their season with a much-needed win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back, the Rams put together their best performance of the season.

After chasing the Vikings in the first two quarters and constantly trying to play catchup, they took over in the second half and outscored the Vikings, 16-6 in the final two quarters. Kupp came through with a key 27-yard catch on third down in the fourth quarter, while Nacua led the team with seven catches for 106 yards.

The defense stepped up, too, holding the Vikings to only 20 points and recording a game-sealing sack for a safety with under 2 minutes left to play. Here's a recap of how the Rams got it done at home in Week 8.

Final score: Rams 30, Vikings 20

Game notes

• The Rams wasted no time getting Puka Nacua involved. Matthew Stafford targeted him with his very first pass, which was dropped by the receiver. He went right back to Nacua on the second play, which he caught and turned into a 13-yard gain. In the first quarter alone, Nacua caught three passes for 50 yards.

• Cooper Kupp wasn't as heavily involved early on, catching just three passes for 15 yards in the first half. Like Nacua, he actually dropped his first target of the game, too, but it was a little bit behind him. Kupp did score on the Rams' second drive to tie the game at 14 in the second quarter.

• With Troy Reeder out, the Rams started Omar Speights next to Christian Rozeboom at linebacker. It was Speights' first opportunity on defense this season.

• Penalties were a major problem for both teams in the first half. Minnesota had seven for 34 yards, giving the Rams three automatic conversions on third down in the first 30 minutes alone. The Rams were also called for four penalties for 25 yards, all on the offensive line (three false starts, one holding).

• Jared Verse got home for his first sack since Week 1, continuing what's been a stellar rookie season for the FSU product.

• The Rams took their first lead of the second half with Demarcus Robinson's first catch of the night, a 25-yarder down the right sideline. He caught it for six points despite the Vikings getting called for defensive pass interference.

• With Kupp and Nacua back, the offense had very little trouble moving the ball. They only punted three times and racked up 386 yards of total offense, going up and down the field against Brian Flores' vaunted defense.

• Stafford came into the game with just three touchdown passes all season, and not only did he match that number on Thursday night, but he actually exceeded it. He threw four touchdown passes in the win, looking like the guy we saw picking apart defenses in 2023.

• The Rams mixed and matched their personnel frequently throughout the night. Stafford connected with nine different receivers, five of whom had at least two catches. Demarcus Robinson caught two touchdown passes, Colby Parkinson caught two passes for 17 yards and even Hunter Long had an 18-yard reception as the backup tight end.

• In one of the biggest moments of the night, Kupp came through with an incredibly clutch play. On third-and-9, Stafford faked a screen to the flat and threw downfield to Kupp, who made a leaping grab for 27 yards to keep the drive moving.

• Byron Young came away with a game-sealing sack for a safety in the end zone with less than 2 minutes left.

It was over when...

... Byron Young sacked Sam Darnold for a safety with 1:36 left in the game, though he did get away with a blatant facemask on the play.

3 stars of the game

No. 3 star: Kyren Williams – 23 carries, 97 yards. 5 catches, 19 yards, 1 TD

No. 2 star: Puka Nacua – 7 catches, 106 yards

No. 1 star: Matthew Stafford – 25-for-34, 279 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT

Play of the game

The Rams' longest gain of the night came in a huge moment on third-and-9 with less than four minutes left. Stafford trusted his guy Kupp down the field, heaving one deep for No. 10, who hauled it in for 27 yards to move the chains.

What's next?

The Rams get a mini-bye after playing on Thursday night, getting a few extra days off before their Week 9 matchup with the Seahawks in Seattle. That'll be beneficial for both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who were clearly on a snap count in their first game back Thursday. They should be back at full strength for the Rams' next game.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Resurgent Rams take down Vikings, 30-20: Instant analysis of Week 8 win