Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams: 2018 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-09-27, the Los Angeles Rams took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 38–31 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 34 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +15.59 total EPA, and +4.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +28.97 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+18.8% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Los Angeles Rams changed the game: (9:40) (No Huddle) 16-J.Goff pass deep right to 18-C.Kupp for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 J. Goff · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +28.97 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +15.59 total EPA · 58 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +10.79 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Kupp · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +10.61 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Cooks · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +8.89 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Woods · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +6.69 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Robinson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.76 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.88 EPA/play
8. 8 K. Rudolph · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.32 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Minnesota Vikings — A. Robinson (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 53:01)
• Los Angeles Rams — T. Gurley (J. Goff pass) (Q1 47:01)
• Los Angeles Rams — C. Kupp (J. Goff pass) (Q2 39:40)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Robinson (K. Cousins pass) (Q2 38:13)
• Los Angeles Rams — C. Kupp (J. Goff pass) (Q2 33:55)
• Los Angeles Rams — B. Cooks (J. Goff pass) (Q2 31:33)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 18:44)
• Los Angeles Rams — R. Woods (J. Goff pass) (Q3 16:15)

Field goals

• Minnesota Vikings — D. Bailey (Q2 40:10)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Bailey (Q2 30:06)
• Los Angeles Rams — S. Ficken (Q3 20:26)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Bailey (Q4 3:50)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the LA 16 (Q1 53:01); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q1 52:55) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the MIN 8 (Q1 47:01) — (2:01) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 30-T.Gurley for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 46:55) — 5-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 21–13. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the LA 19 (Q2 40:10) — (10:10) 5-D.Bailey 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile. Ball deflected off the right Upright.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the MIN 70 (Q2 39:40) — (9:40) (No Huddle) 16-J.Goff pass deep right to 18-C.Kupp for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 39:28) — 5-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the LA 17 (Q2 38:13); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 38:04) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-89-D.Morgan, Holder-6-M.Wile.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the MIN 19 (Q2 33:55) — (3:55) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep right to 18-C.Kupp for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 33:47) — 5-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the MIN 47 (Q2 31:33) — (1:33) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep middle to 12-B.Cooks for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 31:26) — 5-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the LA 21 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 5-D.Bailey 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile..

The third quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 10–8. Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the MIN 16 (Q3 20:26) — (5:26) 5-S.Ficken 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the LA 45 (Q3 18:44) — (3:44) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 19-A.Thielen for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings registered a safety from the LA 2 (Q3 18:35) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-K.Cousins pass to 25-L.Murray is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the MIN 31 (Q3 16:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep middle to 17-R.Woods for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 16:09) — 5-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 3–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the LA 22 (Q4 3:50) — (3:50) 5-D.Bailey 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 39:40) — (9:40) (No Huddle) 16-J.Goff pass deep right to 18-C.Kupp for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +5.86]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 1:29) — (1:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 39 for -9 yards (94-J.Franklin). FUMBLES (94-J.Franklin), RECOVERED by LA-93-N.Suh at MIN 44. 93-N.Suh to MIN 44 for no gain (74-M.Remmers). [WPA -12.0% · EPA -4.59]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 18:44) — (3:44) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 19-A.Thielen for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.1% · EPA +4.25]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 55:56) — (10:56) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 11-L.Treadwell to LA 26 for 19 yards (20-L.Joyner). [WPA +9.9% · EPA +2.24]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 53:01) — (8:01) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 17-A.Robinson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-J.Franklin]. Penalty on LA-93-N.Suh, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +9.2% · EPA +3.44]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 39:40) — (9:40) (No Huddle) 16-J.Goff pass deep right to 18-C.Kupp for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +5.86]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 1:29) — (1:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 39 for -9 yards (94-J.Franklin). FUMBLES (94-J.Franklin), RECOVERED by LA-93-N.Suh at MIN 44. 93-N.Suh to MIN 44 for no gain (74-M.Remmers). [WPA -12.0% · EPA -4.59]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 31:33) — (1:33) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep middle to 12-B.Cooks for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.8% · EPA +4.54]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 18:44) — (3:44) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 19-A.Thielen for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.1% · EPA +4.25]

Quarterback report card

K.Cousins led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• K.Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 58 dropbacks · 62.1% completion · +4.1% CPOE · +0.27 EPA/play · +15.59 total EPA
• J.Goff (Los Angeles Rams) · 36 dropbacks · 72.2% completion · +14.5% CPOE · +0.80 EPA/play · +28.97 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Los Angeles Rams held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.27 vs +0.15), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Los Angeles Rams: 12 drives, +19.69 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +13.99 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Los Angeles Rams leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Cousins (MIN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Goff (LA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 53:01 · LA 16 · Score 6-0
   (8:01) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 17-A.Robinson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-J.Franklin]. Penalty on LA-93-N.Suh, Defensive Holding, declined.
2. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 52:55 · LA 15 · Score 7-0
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.
3. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q1 47:01 · MIN 8 · Score 7-6
   (2:01) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 30-T.Gurley for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q1 46:55 · MIN 15 · Score 7-7
   5-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
5. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 40:10 · LA 19 · Score 10-7
   (10:10) 5-D.Bailey 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile. Ball deflected off the right Upright.
6. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 39:40 · MIN 70 · Score 10-13
   (9:40) (No Huddle) 16-J.Goff pass deep right to 18-C.Kupp for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 39:28 · MIN 15 · Score 10-14
   5-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
8. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 38:13 · LA 17 · Score 16-14
   (8:13) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 17-A.Robinson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on LA-37-S.Shields, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
9. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 38:04 · LA 15 · Score 17-14
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-89-D.Morgan, Holder-6-M.Wile.
10. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 33:55 · MIN 19 · Score 17-20
    (3:55) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep right to 18-C.Kupp for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 33:47 · MIN 15 · Score 17-21
    5-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
12. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 31:33 · MIN 47 · Score 17-27
    (1:33) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep middle to 12-B.Cooks for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 31:26 · MIN 15 · Score 17-28
    5-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
14. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · LA 21 · Score 20-28
    (:06) 5-D.Bailey 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.
15. Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q3 20:26 · MIN 16 · Score 20-31
    (5:26) 5-S.Ficken 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
16. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 18:44 · LA 45 · Score 26-31
    (3:44) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 19-A.Thielen for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Minnesota Vikings Safety (+2) — Q3 18:35 · LA 2 · Score 28-31
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-K.Cousins pass to 25-L.Murray is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
18. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 16:15 · MIN 31 · Score 28-37
    (1:15) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep middle to 17-R.Woods for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 16:09 · MIN 15 · Score 28-38
    5-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
20. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 3:50 · LA 22 · Score 31-38
    (3:50) 5-D.Bailey 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.