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Brandon Powell returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to help Los Angeles to a 30-23 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Minneapolis.

The win clinched a playoff spot for the Rams and also sent Los Angeles' NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals into the postseason.

As for the Vikings, the loss doesn't knock them out of playoff contention. But they no longer control the final NFC wild-card berth, and now have to hope other teams lose.

Sony Michel rushed for a season-high 131 yards and a score for the Rams, Matt Gay made three field goals, and the Aaron Donald-led defense did its part Sunday, keeping the Vikings out of the end zone on two first-half trips inside the 10-yard line.

Matthew Stafford had his first three-interception game since Sept. 10, 2018, when he was picked off four times for Detroit against the New York Jets. But the Rams (11-4) still had more than enough to win their fourth straight game and pass Arizona (10-5) for first place in the NFC West.

Kirk Cousins had 315 yards on 27-for-38 passing with a touchdown to K.J. Osborn with 8:21 remaining that cut the lead to 27-20. But his interception in the end zone in the first quarter loomed large all afternoon.

Alexander Mattison filled in for COVID-19-absent Dalvin Cook and had 70 total yards and a score for the Vikings (7-8), who failed for the fourth time this season to push their record above .500. 

Anthony Barr picked off Stafford twice, both deep in Rams territory, and the Vikings turned them into 10 points. Stafford went 21 for 37 for 197 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Odell Beckham Jr., but he was out of sync for most of the game with several other throws that could've been intercepted.

Cousins was the sharper quarterback, coming off a couple of rough games, but he still couldn't get the Vikings a win. Only one of their first nine possessions went longer than 15 yards — that ended with Travin Howard picking off Cousins in the end zone after a pass intended for Osborn was deflected in tight coverage by Darious Williams.

That was the fourth interception in the last three games for Cousins. He was picked off only three times in the first 12 games.

Jalen Ramsey kept Justin Jefferson on lockdown much of the game, but he still had eight catches for 116 yards. He passed fellow LSU alum and pal Beckham for most receiving yards in a player's first two seasons (2,851). Beckham had 2,755.

Cooper Kupp had a 37-yard reception on third down in the fourth quarter to help put the game away. He had 10 catches for 109 yards to become the first player with at least 90 receiving yards in 14 games of a single season. Antonio Brown (2014) and Michael Irvin (1995) did so in 13 games.

Vikings receiver Adam Thielen returned from a two-game absence with three catches for 40 yards, but he aggravated his ankle injury twice and barely played in the second half. Cook was joined on the COVID-19 reserve list by backup quarterback Sean Mannion and backup offensive tackle Rashod Hill. 

The Vikings play at Green Bay (12-3) next Sunday night.

Sports

Minnesota Vikings

The Associated Press

Author

Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams doesn't knock the Minnesota Vikings out of playoff contention. But they no longer control the final NFC wild-card berth, and now have to hope other teams lose.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins

Vikings lose to Rams, lose control of wild-card playoff berth

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