Ric Tapia/Sporting Tribune

The Rams were already having a good day thanks to a 20-15 win over the Raiders. It got even better when head coach Sean McVay confirmed Cooper Kupp would return when his team hosts the Vikings on Thursday night.

“It was about his return to performance, not necessarily return to play,” McVay said after the game Sunday, adding that Cupp was close to coming back against the Raiders. “And hopefully Thursday will represent that for us.”

Thursday will also represent a significant test for the Rams (2-4). The Vikings (5-1) were one of two remaining undefeated teams prior to Sunday’s loss against the Lions. Minnesota as of Monday afternoon leads the NFL with 11 interceptions and ranks third with 24 sacks.

But Sunday was about Kyren Williams in the Rams’ win over Las Vegas (2-5). The Los Angeles running back put his team ahead with a fervent, 13-yard touchdown run late in the first half, part of his 76 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Williams extended his streak of games with a rushing touchdown to nine and tied Shaun Alexander (2005) and Ezekiel Elliott (2022) for the fourth-longest stretch this century. Only Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson (18 straight games from 2004-05), Priest Holmes (11 in 2002) and Jonathan Taylor (11 in 2021) have longer streaks since 2000, according to the NFL.

Sunday also was about the Rams’ defense, which knocked Raiders starter Aidan O’Connell out of the game in the first quarter. After spotting Gardner Minshew and the Raiders a field goal, the Rams tipped the scales in their favor on the ensuing three drives.

After the Rams forced a punt, cornerback Cobie Durant intercepted Minshew to set up the first touchdown by Williams. Then, Durant got home on a corner blitz, forcing a fumble recovered by teammate Cam Kurl, who returned the strip sack 33 yards for a second-quarter touchdown.   

While the Rams begin a short week and prepare for the Vikings on Thursday, the Raiders host the NFL’s only remaining undefeated team, Kansas City (6-0) on Sunday. While Las Vegas was the last team to defeat the Chiefs, the Raiders will be without O’Connell, who reportedly has a fractured thumb and is out 4-6 weeks.


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By Zak Gilbert

Since his freshman year at the University of Colorado, Zak has worked 30 years in sports, including 18 NFL seasons. He's spent time with four NFL teams, serving as head of communications for both the Raiders and Browns. A veteran of nine Super Bowls, he most recently worked six seasons in the NFL's New York league office.

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