Rams battle Vikings tonight at SoFi

As The World Turns. The Los Angeles Rams are preparing to host the Minnesota Vikings for Thursday Night Football at SoFi Stadium. A sudden swirl of rumors and reports that the Rams are seeking to trade All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp followed the team's much-needed home victory over the Las Vegas this past Sunday.

The news is an unexpected shock for the Rams faithful who immediately embraced Kupp when he was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Reportedly, the Rams are asking for a second-round draft choice in exchange for the MVP of Super Bowl LVI. Coincidentally, Kupp is scheduled to return to action against the Vikings after suffering an ankle injury in the first game of the season.

"At the end of the day I'm going to be where my feet are," said Kupp during the team's Tuesday media session. "I have a job to do here, and I take a lot of pride in giving everything I can for the guys in this building."

"For seven-and-a-half-years I've been a L.A. Ram and I've taken that approach every single day. Whatever happens outside of that, I have no control. What I can control is right now, that means being the best L.A. Ram that I can be and I'm going do that."

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was focused on the Vikings when asked about a potential Kupp trade. "Don't put much into it because that's a disservice to what we got going on here. We've in a short week and a really good opponent to try to prepare for. That's our full focus. I know that's where he stays too. Don't worry too much about that stuff."

Without his two top receivers for the fourth consecutive game Stafford had his worst statistical performance of the season against a disjointed Raiders squad but still managed two touchdown drives to keep the team relevant in the challenged NFC West. Once again, the Rams defense was difference as it has been since Sean McVay became head coach in coincidentally in 2017.

Under defensive coordinator Chris Shula the defense held the Raiders without a touchdown. They blitzed Las Vegas quarterback Gardner Minshew 19 times and backup quarterback Aidan O'Connell five times. The total result was two quarterback sacks, seven hurries, eight hits, 17 pressures, three costly interceptions and one fumble. The Raiders only completed 21 of 46 passing attempts for 206 yards.

"It's a week-to-week thing. Like any team, you're always trying to affect the quarterback in many different ways. And obviously pressuring the quarterback is really the number one thing to affect him," said Shula. "Whether you have to do that with four or whether you have to do that with more or bring less, you're going to do whatever is best to win that week."

It also marked a milestone for McVay whose 79th victory tied John Robinson for the most victories by a head coach in Rams history. And under McVay's helm the Rams have won 40 consecutive games when leading by 10+ points at the end of the third quarter. Once again, the defense came to the rescue by holding the Raiders to three Daniel Carlson field goals in the last 17 minutes to extend the streak.

"The defense scored two touchdowns in the last two games. We forced some turnovers. Been able to really apply a lot of pressure. I'm really pleased with the trajectory of where our defense is going right now," said McVay.

A reported potential Kupp trade to the Kansas City Chiefs was discussed but took a turn on Wednesday morning as the undefeated defending Champions decided to move in a different direction and traded for All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick. One hurdle in attempting to trade Kupp is his high salary and cap hit which runs through 2026. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

Despite the off-field chatter, Kupp expects to be instrumental against the Vikings. "I would love to be able to play as much as I possibly can and that's going to be my mindset... We've got some guys that have played some really good football the last couple weeks too. Just figuring out what the best group of guys are and how you want to get those guys on and off the field. Whatever it takes to get the L.A. Rams a 'W' is ultimately what we want to do."

The Vikings are coming off their first loss of the season, an emotional 31-29 battle against rival Detroit Lions in the NFL's toughest Division this season. Both teams are currently 5-1, with the Green Bay Packers (5-2) and Chicago Bears (4-2) breathing down their necks. This is the Rams last chance to get a victory against the NFC North as they've already lost the other three games to Lions, Packers, and Bears (oh, my) this season.

Former San Clemente High and USC quarterback Sam Darnold, has been the surprise comeback player of the NFL this season for the Vikings after suffering three seasons with the New York Jets, two with the Carolina Panthers, and one backup season last year with the San Francisco 49ers. Darnold's enjoying a career-best 104.0 passer rating, a 66.5% passing completion ratio, leading to a 7.3 touchdown per pass ratio.

Leading Minnesota's receiving corps is premier NFL wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who has 33 catches for 531 total yards and five touchdowns. Shula on defending Jefferson. "He is the best in the world, so you better have a plan for him. I know every team he plays against does. We have guys that hopefully are ready to step up to the challenge."

Cornerback Cobie Durant is one of those players. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Raiders. Durant caused two turnovers including an interception that led to Kyren Williams 13-yard touchdown, and a forced fumble that was returned by safety Kam Curl for a touchdown to give the Rams a 14-3 lead just before halftime.

Rams' offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur doesn't expect Kupp to have any problems getting right back into the flow of the offense against Minnesota. "You just listen to the player, you trust the player, especially a veteran like 'Coop', see where his body's at and know he's going to be truthful," said LaFleur.

He also knows Stafford will be ready after only a few days to prepare. "He loves ball, he's a competitor. You'd have to ask these guys how they feel about Thursday games, but from my knowledge, especially a lot of the vets, they do actually like them. It's a unique experience that you get to play, not just in front of a national audience, but in front of your peers. You're the only game on."