Cooper Kupp was expected to return to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, but no one expected Puka Nacua to return as well.
And they never expected him to gain over 100 yards and help the Rams beat the best team in NFC history, the Minnesota Vikings, 30-20.
Matthew Stafford threw four touchdowns on the night, including one to Kupp, but the veteran wideout's night wasn't the best return to the offense. Nacua had seven catches for 106 yards in an impressive performance considering he just opened practice this week.
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Los Angeles Rams No. 9 Matthew Stafford celebrates a touchdown in the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Harry Howe/Getty Images)
But Kupp had five catches for 51 yards and a score in his first game since injuring his ankle in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals.
However, the end of the game sparked major controversy, as the Vikings' final drive of the game ended with quarterback Sam Darnold sporting what appeared to be a face mask in the end zone.
Instead, authorities completely missed Byron Young grabbing Darnold's face mask and it was ruled safe instead.
Rams activate Puka Nacua from injured reserve after missing five games
The Vikings trailed by eight points in the two-minute drill, so there was certainly plenty of time to get the ball downfield and convert it to two points to tie the score. But the drive and the game ended in a missed safety and a missed onside punt (if such a thing exists).
Justin Jefferson, who had eight receptions for a game-high 115 yards, slammed his helmet against the sideline knowing his team was denied a chance for overtime.
But nothing went right offensively for the Vikings after the first quarter, when they scored touchdowns on their first two drives.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Jeffrey Becker Imagine Images)
But the Rams were able to match them, and that had a lot to do with Nacua, who proved he wasn't just a decoy thrown at the line of scrimmage by head coach Sean McVay. His performance on the opening drive helped Stafford & Co. get down the field and close out the drive with a passing touchdown to star running back Kyren Williams.
Williams, who has been in the end zone in every game this season, had 23 carries for 97 total yards and five catches for 19 yards through the air.
While Nacua and Kupp were active in the second half, DeMarcus Robinson found the end zone twice, but that was his only catch for 35 yards.
At Stafford, he completed 25-of-34 passes for 279 yards, including four touchdowns and one interception, while Darnold completed 18-of-25 for 240 yards.
Puka Nacua #17 and Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Harry Howe/Getty Images)
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Also, the Vikings' Aaron Jones gained 95 yards from scrimmage and added 58 yards on the ground and 37 through the air.
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