Madden NFL 24 L.A. Rams (5-1) vs Minn Vikings (3-3) | Week 8 Simulation | PS5 Gameplay

[Applause] it's the National Football League on EA Sports and if it's in the game it's in the game it's the Minnesota Vikings in the Los Angeles Rams and it's all up next EA Sports coverage of the NFL brings us to the City of Angels Los Angeles California today we've got an NFC match up on tap as it'll be the Minnesota Vikings taking on the Los Angeles [Applause] Rams Brandon Garden alongside Charles Davis and before kickoff Charles quickly your keys to the game well partner I can give you the standard ones turnovers special teams play but here's one that doesn't get talked about much anymore and that's time of possession whoever controls the football gives their defense a break and takes care of business that's the team that's going to win this ball game [Applause] [Applause] and off we go from Sofi [Applause] stadium and he brings this out past the 20 to the 24 so out come the Rams now for their first possession they'll be led out by a long time starter in the NFL number one overall pick way back in 2009 it's Matthew Stafford and Matthew Stafford was taken first overall in the 2009 draft and he certainly played like a top pick throughout his career he's been one of the most prolific passers in the league and there's no reason to believe he's going to slow down production anytime soon not only that it's also one of the tougher quarterbacks in the league as well they start the drive on the ground it's Williams and he'll hope that this is not a sign of what's in store as he has to fight just to get back to the line of scrimmage call it no gain on the game's first play and it's second down now well done to sniff that out defensively he had it diagnosed pretty quickly I love that description because diagnosed is perfect on that one read his keys made the play and he couldn't even get going moving the football here's Stafford and this throw incomplete the defender all over him that time and it's going to lead to third down excellent defensive effort to get to him and provide a little contact before the catch could be made cleanly so now an early third and 10 here on their opening [Music] drive a shotgun snap for Stafford and it's caught on the sideline but he's not going to have a first down they say he was out of bounds so a big call there that brings up fourth but they certainly came out firing in this one and while that one was incomplete I can't imagine that'll be the last shot that they take in this game so on fourth down on is Ethan Evans to punt for the Rams and taken right at the 35 I call that a punt of 38 yds officially and the Vikings will take over here first and [Applause] 10 so here's the Viking offense making their way out and they will be let out by a guy certainly still trying to prove himself here in the league the young rookie quarterback for every rookie prospect there are always nerves involved in this moment running your team out to start a game but there's a reason they brought him in we're willing to make him their starter today they believe he can overcome those nerves NES and Lead his team to a victory we saw him do it at the Collegiate level and really make himself into a leader and someone you can Envision doing the exact same thing here in the [Applause] NFL throwing to start the drive McCarthy that's complete to Justin Jefferson and they've got it well across Midfield down to the 40 before it's all said and done just like that a pickup of 20 on their first play from scrimmage certainly no settling into the drive there they came right out on the first play attacked the middle of the field for a big Gainer and a first [Applause] down from their own 40 to the other 40 the gain of 20 leads to First and [Applause] 10 off the play fake McCarthy this one completes a tonion underneath and he gets this to the 35 good for a gain of five that's a staple of this offense drag route to the tight end yeah he's unable to use his size to break off much more yardage after the catch but still an effective gain nonetheless ball on the 35 Here Comes second and [Applause] five off play action McCarthy he's going to find Jefferson open downfield and this is going to be another first down as the tackle is going to be made at the the Rams 14 a gain there of 21 yds well this is what you want to see from your rookie quarterback on an opening drive Charles he looks cool he looks calm he looks collected in marching them down the field and Brandon I just think the game continues to change and evolve because we're calling these guys rookies but you know theyve thrown the football so much and he will score touchdown Vikings taking it in from 14 yds out and the Vikings are on the board first on the road here in LA and this is a balancing act for a head coach with a rookie quarterback you've got to walk a line with him you don't want him getting Happy Feet but you also don't want to reain in what worked for him in college and here he pulls it down takes it himself and takes it into the end zone no going for two they'll kick the point after he's got it and the Vikings take a seven nothing lead a drive there of just four plays and it was finished off by the 14 yd touchdown [Applause] run Minnesota's kick team ready and the Vikings boom it away taken at about the one and not much happening on the return as he'll get this to about the 23 so the Rams coming back onto the field their second Drive of the game these guys definitely hoping for a better showing than their last appearance they couldn't really even move the football much beyond the Shadows of their own goal post Charles we'll see if they can get a better more sustained drive going here yeah and every team that we ever talk to says the exact same thing when you start a drive from that deep in your own territory the goal is a minimum of at least two first downs because even if you have to punt then you change the field position right you flip the field a little bit they didn't get that done this time they want to string together a nice drive and help themselves out they went three and out on their first drive things already looking better here first and 10 interior of that line blocked really well on that run but also the two tight ends they blocked well too not only they stouted the line of scrimmage with their agility they can get up field and hit moving targets like linebackers defensive backs they do a really good job helping out the running game it's a 6yd gain on the ground and that'll make it second and four a quick burst there and he nicely bit off a pretty decent game9 y ball on the 39 here's the second down and [Music] four to throw is Stafford going to be taken in here by nula and he'll lose yardage on the play back at the 37 yd line it'll go down as a two- yd loss and it brings up a third down made the quick throw there outside the numbers and you can feel the thought process they just wanted to get in his hands and let him make a play but how about the job they did defensively to keep him bottled up instead they tackle him for a loss throwing on third down Stafford and that is incomplete every offense tells you they want to come out and start fast That's Not Unusual at all but this group they've yet to get much rolling through their first two drives it looks like they have to give up the football again after this one here's Ethan Evans now this is taken at the 15 a 45 yd punt four there on the return and and it will be Vikings ball first and 10 the Vikings taking the field here for their second Drive of the game I have to be thrilled with that first drive they got him the touchdown now they'll be looking to make it a two-score Advantage here on the road and you know they spent all week in practice in meetings talking about taking an early Advantage being the road team going up a score that takes the crowd out of the game and put some doubt in the minds of their opponents [Applause] now the man from utap this is Aaron Jones and he'll take this ahead for about four second down coming up well you don't turn your nose up at a gain of four do you they'll take that on first down playbooks got to be pretty well open on second and six from the 23 here's the second down at six back to throw McCarthy and he will slide to a stop he does have the first down eight yds on the pickup there and it moves the sticks Haven met a quarterback yet that didn't enter the league with a massive chip on his shoulder if he wasn't a first round pick they want to show the league that they made a big mistake determined to get the first down there no hesitation at all to tuck it and go I bet he would have tried running through their entire defense if it meant reaching that [Applause] marker throwing on first down but this one winds up to be incomplete well that one was all about the defender making life difficult for the receiver very tough for God to hold on to the football through all that contact he end up forcing the incompletion here's second and [Applause] 10 throwing again McCarthy toward the center of the field but it's incomplete nice backto back plays defensively they're stacking momentum now one incompletion two incompletion they're going for [Applause] more now they face a third and 10 after back-to- back incompletions operating from the gun McCarthy out of the back field this is Aon Jones and he'll get this only to about the 38 as they stop him a few yards shy of the line to gain how about that strategy there Brandon third down they just said we've got faith in our tackers we'll give you the short stuff and just decided to protect the sticks so every time I hear fans telling me tackling is not a part of the game anymore plays like that I can clip and save and show them you have to tackle well if you want to be a good defense 36 yds on the punt with no return and the Rams will go on offense here with a first and 10 here's the Los Angeles offense as they get set to take possession they've shown precious little here offensively thus far as they try again with a first down [Music] now that's into the hands of two- two Atwell and he's brought down getting this one up to about the 35 right off the bat it's a first down to start the drive 12 yds if you're these receivers you got to be ready cuz when he's going to throw it quick on that RPO he's going to throw it quick and this is why you spend time with your guy either in the off season during the week the whole bundle cuz sometimes just telepathy you both see the same thing and he knows get the ball to him right away open man is Atwell complete 13 yds as they've got the connection working is second catch in a row first down well the obviously Red Man covers their partner and he got downfield broke down the defender made him you mean by that yeah he made him think he was going to run a different route probably thought he was going to take it up field then he curls back inside for the completion motion left cup he'll get it here on the Jet Sweep oh and this one may need to go back to the drawing board he's going to be swallowed up right away this drive starts with two steps forward and now one back a pair of first downs here a loss of yardage well as a wide out when you take that hand off and you're coming around the edge you're expecting to see nothing but empty space in front of you but if not well things can go south in a hurry and that's exactly what we saw and the pressure gets to him and brings him down Stafford is sacked multiple players combined for their team's first sack of the game you know on these types of plays we're always looking to assess blame okay where did it break down sometimes it's just a great play [Applause] so now Stafford and the Rams after the sack and they're staring up at a third and long now on Third and long they'll look to [Applause] throw it's incomplete took a shot couldn't connect I know this offense was expecting to do big things but it certainly hasn't turned out that way at least not through the first three drives they're definitely going have to put their heads together and start concocting some offense they'll move the ball down field Ethan Evans on now to punt and he's getting a workout here in this first quarter as he gets it away fielded just inside the 20 call it an even 40 yd punt seven though on the return and it will be first and 10 as they take over now the Vikings offense works their way back onto the field they've got a seven nothing lead in the football as well as they start out first and [Applause] 10 they'll start the drive with a carry by Jones and able to stay on his feet past the 30 to about the 33 yd line it's a 6yd pick up and it gets him to Second and four from the lineman to the guy running with it that was a well executed first down by the offense with two shots left to get the first you can get a little aggressive here on second down if you want and try for some bigger yardage off the play fake McCarthy this one complete to tonion underneath and pass the 40 before he's out of bounds second catch for him today and it'll wind up a first down I got kicked out of that one partner you and I talk often about trying to hide receivers in certain situations but a guy of his size can't really hide him but the tight end drag route definitely an effective way to sneak him across the formation for an easy completion and a first down here's a ball thrown right side and complete and he's finally taken down and it's a big gain there on what'll turn out to be the final play of this first quarter after one 7 nothing on EA Sports the Vikings with the football here to begin the second quarter so from Rams territory now it's first and 10 at the 36 an inside give to Jones and nothing much materializing there on the first down run he'll get a couple and that's it well any Lane that might have been open there was closed pretty quickly and that was because the defensive front they won that battle at the point of attack at the line of scrimmage they used great leverage help their spot and stacked him [Applause] up looking to throw on second down McCarthy that's caught by the big tight end TJ hackinson and this is going to be another first down as the tackle's going to be made at the Rams 22 yd line it's a gain of 11 as the Vikings pick up the first a lot of tight ends just use their size and their strength try to occupy some space and kind of body people away and catch the football but not this guy he's a refined route Runner makes me wonder if he took some dance classes in his background with his [Applause] footwork and it's caught touchdown Vikings Jordan Addison a 22 yd tou touch down grab and the Vikings go up by two touchdowns certainly there are good things about quick strike offenses that score fast but a long drive can also work to your advantage as well in so many ways Brandon because number one you get them tired but the big one is mentally they can't figure out how to slow you down how to get off the field how to get the ball back they go to the bench wondering what are we going to do next time in order to stop those guys extra point right down the middle and it's now 14 to nothing so the drive there took six plays and Jordan Addison capped it off with a touchdown catch [Applause] out is the kickoff unit as they run up and send this one away and here comes a return from just beyond the goal line and he'll get it up just past the 20 as his guys will go to work at the 21 yd line La set to take over again on offense and they're in a bind early here down 14- nothing are you worried at this stage or still too early you're worried you're just trying not to transmit it to the rest of your team you want to make sure that they stay positive but at the same time you're wondering how are we going to move the football what do we have on this play sheet that can work Get Back to Basics is usually your answer and make sure you find the guy who can move the ball fastest for you if you just get it in his hands still second quarter you get points on the board here I think you're feeling okay an excellent way to start the drive there 18 yds these guys have definitely been outplayed in the first half I like their countenance I like the way that they're having panicked out there the the way they're carrying themselves they're starting to move the ball and what you have to do maintain your Poise and start to put together some drives now a first down carry it's Williams and he is going to be stopped cold behind the line of scrimage he'll lose a yard there and it's second and 11 I have a feeling they'll stay committed to running the football especially on their early Downs they just haven't had a whole lot of success just yet so after the loss of a yard they'll look to push forward here on second down and 11 throwing is Stafford and his throw is going to be incomplete I tell you Brandon this defense is playing with some confidence haven't allowed a point yet fly into the football I'm telling you he's almost 11 to the ball on every snap another nice job there to force an incompletion the Rams on third down 0 for three to this point they could use a conversion this is third and 11 from the gun here's Stafford that is incomplete the passing game not in sync here early and now it's fourth down well based on what we've seen so far I don't think you can even call this an off day anymore partner because this group we're watching they are totally out of rhythm trying to get their game plan up and running that zero on the scoreboard is claring down at them with every incompletion on fourth down the punt team is on as this is sent away fair catch called for and made at the 16 or maybe the 17 yd line a 40 yd punt no return and out will come the offense as they take over their quarterback in this offense heading back out to the field he had the touchdown pass on their previous drive they'll search for another score as they begin here with a first and [Applause] 10 B start out on the ground with Jones and he'll find some space up to about the 25 seven yds on the pickup there and it'll leave him with a second and three well no matter how they phrase it staying on schedule staying ahead of the sticks whatever you want to call it seven yards on first down that fits the Bill here's second and [Applause] three off play action McCarthy going for the deep ball and he bats it away and it falls down incomplete well the first two drives yield a touchdown so there's no reason for them to feel like they have to pull back on the RS they pushed it down field looking for another one right there didn't get it but we know they're going to continue to be bold so the incomplete pass on the last play and that leads us to a third and three looking to throw McCarthy work in the middle of the field and he's got got a man complete and he will have a Vikings first down as they convert on Third and three with a nice gain of seven yards and that one was a lot of fun right there cuz that was the game within the game third and short Blitz was on what's the key for the quarterback get out of your hands in our hurry and that was a quick little completion got the job done for a first down now a first down carry by Jones and that one blown up quickly as he's going to be stopped before he could even get started that's going to wind up a loss of full three yards on first down the running Lanes have definitely not been there for him here in the first half and I don't think it's all been his fault his offensive line hasn't given him much space a loss results there to throw on second down McCarthy and the Rams got it they bring him down multiple players combined for their team's first sack of the game that's a step in the right direction defensively here cuz you're facing this sizable deficit they're going to need more plays like that a good sack though good effort there and what you're hoping is as you said a step in the right direction and that means it's something to build on so you get the first one and hopefully that can ignite them and now they can make a few more plays and get back into this game need something from deep in the bag of tricks here after first and second down went backwards it's third and very long oh you saw that one coming it's intercepted throwing back across his body picked off by Daren Kendrick and he's going to return it to the 21 yd line third and long that time he was trying to make something happen but a little too risky well the field tilted on him and what I mean by that is what you said third and long got to push it downfield to try and pick up the first down defensive backs live for this situation and they took advantage of the young man right there the Rams ready to go on offense and they'll start with great field position trying to get back into this one it's first and 10 [Applause] [Applause] here now a give up the middle to Willams and he can only manage to get a couple second and eight coming up defense always talk about earning the right to rush the passer on third down and you know what offenses want win first down so they can set things up for themselves better and that wasn't helpful there not a big impact on first down second and eight coming from the 19 back to throw [Applause] Stafford and that is incomplete I'm really liking what I'm seeing from this defense because their coverage has been playing in a shut down level so far keep backed up late they're forcing incompletions and fighting to keep them out of the end zone as the first half winds down well good field position to start the drive but under the gun now here on Third and eight they'll fake the give now Stafford and it's complete he's got it in the end zone touchdown Rams two two Atwell from 19 yds away and the Rams cut it back within a score man he just ran a terrific route extremely hard to defend when it's run that precisely and the ball's delivered that [Applause] accurately point after here coming [Applause] up and that one makes it 14 to S scoring summary three playay drive and it winds up up with a touchdown for Los [Applause] Angeles the Rams kickoff team on the field and here we go with a ball in the air this fielded right at the the goal line and taken down just past the 20 at about the 21 yd line Minnesota's offense takes over possession and we'll see if they can bounce back from that last Drive in particular if they can bounce back at the quarterback position Charles after throwing their first interception of the ball game yeah some guys you know they're going to want to try and get a big play right away and take control back others they're going to look to hit a couple shorter passes good little momentum back that way but for the defense that goal's not changing a bit they want another pick you're exactly right about that in fact you got to watch them a little bit because in coverage they may cut down their gaps a little bit maybe their splits a little bit in order to try and get to the ball even faster good throw good catch but I really like the route the drag and being able to run away from Defenders hard to stick with them for that long yeah better against man than zone or better against man because now you're running away from someone and you're not running into a defensive player in another Zone well it's a shuffle pass and it's complete and Jefferson's going to have the Vikings first down as he'll get this up to the 32 give him two on the play there and it'll be a Minnesota first [Applause] down back to throw McCarthy and incomplete and a smart play there he's probably saying I wish I would have done that in the last Drive instead of throwing the [Applause] interception second and 10 back to throw again this one caught it's the tight end hawis and he'll be taken down but not before he works it past the 50 second catch for him today and it'll wind up a first down and there's a completion to the tight end and look at the size of these players nowadays at that spot 6'4 65 and up a lot of guys used to be basketball players somehow came back to football that's really good for the game of football you're get better athleticism great hand eye coordination guys who know how to control their bodies when they run their routes so from Rams territory now it's first and 10 at the 49 yd line up the middle Jones and he's going to get a solid gain of nine before being brought down second and right at the yard give him nine on the carry that time and they're set up with a second and one out of the gun they'll look to throw this one brought in by Jefferson and Jefferson's going to have the Vikings first down as he'll get this down to the 32 it's a seven yd gain and good enough to move the [Music] chains from the 32 now here's first and [Applause] 10 looking to throw [Applause] McCarthy and that's going to be incomplete so looks like they stopped some fighting them on this series because you see like things were headed for the red zone but this defense gets two more stops they can keep them out of that area now a second and [Applause] 10 to throw again McCarthy throwing middle but it's incomplete that play call wasn't there for them against that coverage so they're going to spin the dial now on their playbook and come up with one more shot at the marker to try and keep this series going this offense was on the Move now two straight incompletions have them looking at third and 10 they'll stick with a passing game as he looks to throw a he had him he was open but he couldn't get it to him it's incomplete that is certainly one way to frustrate a quarterback when those extra Defenders on the field dime package lots of speed no space to fit in the ball football now the Vikings will send out the Special Teams crew here for a field goal try it'll be a 49 yd attempt from the left hasch and his kick here is good and they will move up by 10 now 17 to S well maybe a little bit of an anxious moment there as that ball got closer and closer but it does curl in yeah actually did a little bit of a slow dance there with the left upright didn't it but had just enough space as you said for it to curl in [Applause] Minnesota's kick team ready and the Vikings boom it away and he won't return this one he'll go down to a knee and they'll start at the 25 and now out on the field Here Comes Los Angeles Charles we'll see what they can do here not a ton of time left but enough certainly to get points out of this drive and they need them right now cuz they're trailing yeah this is exactly why you practice a two-minute drill all through camp and at least one practice each week before a game a minute left more than enough time to string a few completions together reach the end zone and then make that walk back to the locker room just a little more animated on first down it's Stafford pass complete there to theur and he's up Ed at the 33 following a good pick up of [Applause] eight Stafford barking out signals and try to get his guys set quickly second and two and that throw behind his man he missed him incomplete so another incompletion there he's hitting on fewer than half his pass attempts in this one and that is not a winning formula yeah so let's make sure we give a little bit of credit to the defense here they've given him a lot to think about a lot of different looks and he seems a little bit confused trying to complete passes third and two Stafford he's going to get that to his running back out of the back field and they bring him to the ground just shy of Midfield the Rams going to go ahead and use the first of their timeouts as they'll stop it with just over 40 seconds to go in the first [Applause] half a first and 10 here and you know if they could just get three out of this something about whittling it to a one- score game at half that might provide a psychological boost meanwhile Stafford still here holding by cut and they're able to work this to the 25 before it's all said and done now the Rams will signal for a timeout their second as the clock will stop with 33 seconds to go in the first half now a first down throw Stafford that's caught left side it's higgy the tight end and he gets it inside the 10 to the nine this gain not quite as good as the last but still over 40 yards between the two just picking up yardage in bunches here these last few plays they have moved right down the field and just like that they can be set up with a first and goal first and goal and they got to be thinking a chance to get right back into this football game and this is caught he's got it touchdown La hooker Thea in the final seconds of the first half and the Rams are able to cut into this lead in the final seconds of the first half terrific touchdown I know we've got a game now yeah I think anytime you go to the second half down just one or two scores you feel not where you want to be but in a pretty good spot and I think for most teams when they go into the half half in this situation it's not a lot of adjusting going on it's much more all right guys let's just play a little bit better than we did in the first half point after right down the middle and the leads down to a field goal at 1714 [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] so time enough for a kickoff here five seconds remaining in this first [Applause] half and makes it across the 20 as his guys will set up shop at the 23 yd line [Applause] oh the final second Ticks by and that's going to do it for the first half of play so we've hit halftime just a field goal separating these two teams at the break as we'll send you Eastward to Orlando standing by with that EA Sports halftime report now is Jonathan Coachman take it away Coach this one's been as good as advertised just a field goal separating these two teams this is a very level first half and I'd expect to see more of the same after the break okay Coach yeah adjustments likely going to play a big role in this third quarter what's been a tight contest so far a field goal the difference 1714 is the score back underway here now in this third [Applause] quarter and up to about the 26 yd line just across the 25 out come the Vikings they'll have it first on offense as we begin the third and Charles they've got the lead put your coaching hat on here now what's the game plan for the second half I think getting the running game going a little bit more because I thought in the first half they didn't get it moving the way that they would like they had success throwing it but I think these first couple of drives they'll want to get those running backs going and give them more opportunities and I will guarantee you that those guys were lobbying for them in the locker room at half timee Ernest Jones the linebacker with a sack I'm sure a lot of time was spent in the locker room Charles talking with his defense about setting a tone here in the third quarter when you're down on the scoreboard sack like that maybe that can get him going yeah you have to believe exactly what you just said that they got together and said let's be some change agents here let's go ahead and turn things around let's be the force that gets us going here in the second half and puts us in a position to find a way to win the game so now 20 yds to go on second down after the sack work to be done back to throw McCarthy complete je and now look at this big gain but a fumble and now the Rams have got it going the other way and they have possession and they have it at the 38 yd line so we thought maybe they would have a chance to extend this lead on the opening drive of the second half instead they cough it up obviously not an ideal start when you're trying to get a little separation and I can guarantee that they talked about that in the locker room let's get out there start this quarter the right way let's try and put some points on the board and create some space [Applause] [Applause] so here's a first and 10 at the 38 following the fumble recovery Stafford now a quick throw there but it's going to be incomplete that was nice work there defensively to force in completion now even though this drive started in plus territory they're still not in field goal range yet so they can work towards another couple of stops and not allowing that turnover to hurt after the incomplete pass here now is second and 10 now a play fake and it's Stafford to the right side in complete to Atwell that'll leave him with a third and two coming up they got eight yards there [Music] they'll come to the line needing only two yards to gain the first here Stafford on third down that he is caught and he is going to have a Rams first down as they're able to get the third down conversion whenever you call him one the hit out a lot of times that Ball's got to be in the air before the receiver even turns around that's the result of throwing his so many times in practice is really a timing route make sure that Ball's out of your hands and often times the receiver turns around and there's the ball nice completion there from the gun it's a run for Williams and he'll take this inside the 20 and down to the 18 two yds on the pickup there it'll be second and eight I have to think of major focus of the halftime beings had to be figured out how to create space for the running game to get opera well what you pointed out to me at half seems accurate that line has struggled to sustain blocks yeah I would agree with that totally they've got to focus on staying on their double teams at the first level make sure that Block's secured before they slide off and try and Chip someone at the second level going to be taken in here by NCA call it a gain of six on the play and now that sets up third and two he decided to run a hitch route it really helps to have a guy who can turn it loose and boy he rifled one in there on that one not much run after catch but it worked really well third and two [Applause] out of the gun Stafford and he's got it that's cut for a ram touchdown a 12yd touchdown grab and the Rams have taken the lead here this third quarter so a very strong first drive in this second half Charles as they' turned that halftime deficit into a third quarter lead they were pretty purposeful there weren't they measured in their approach but boy they executed off and now before we get to the extra point remember all touchdowns do have to be confirmed by the replay official previous play is under review they're taking a peek at whether or not those feet were in bounds and obviously a big call here in the end zone and not just the feet how about the hands how is the ball possessed while the feet are hopefully getting down in bounds that's what they're trying to look at to see if it all comes together after review of the play ruling on the field so they called it a touchdown originally and this will stay a touchdown after the video review so they had it right now for the point after it's up and good to make it 217 a drive that time of six plays and it ends with Cooper Cup on the receiving into the touchdown [Applause] [Applause] pass the Rams kickoff team on the field and here we we go with a ball in the air and he'll elect not to return this one so they'll bring it out to the 25 on the Touchback and now out comes Minnesota Charles you got to think the number one goal here is ball security remember last Drive they coughed it up then they allowed the touchdown and now they're trailing on the scoreboard boy the way you described it makes me think that that one actually hurt him three times the fumble cost them potential points then they watch theiron to get a touchdown off of the fumble and third they lost the lead as a result really tough sequence right there I don't think coaches have to remind them to hold on to the football they've just got to find a way to get it done the run on first down gets him a couple up to the 27 well they're hoping that the second half is better for him than the first half they've got to find a way to get him going he's a big part of their offense they'll break the Huddle come up on second an eight at the 27 ydd line operating from the gun McCarthy and that is incomplete here maybe going to give out a little Applause on that play it has to go to the defense more good work by them they've taken away the passing Lanes all game long and you can see the frustration that it's causing because he just about threw that one into the first R so the failure to connect on second down that leaves them staring up here at a third and eight eight looking to throw McCarthy and that will be incomplete as well I tell you what that's a bettering play from a guy in his first season in the NFL a lot of rookies have tried to force something there he thought better of it and that was the right decision and here's Ryan Wright now as he'll putt it away for the second time this is fielded at the 27 it's a return of five following a punt of 42 yds and they will take over first and 10 the offense for Los Angeles returns to the field this drive here beginning probably with a pair of motivated groups remember the offense scored a touchdown their last time out looking to repeat that in Charles's defense they were very frustrated after giving up six the last time on the field and frankly it's just a battle of wills in a lot of ways because you know they're both motivated they both game plan for this drive and they both have specific outcomes in mind to me it just comes down to who can execute better and which side can step up and Asser it will over the other a gain of eight there on the play and it'll be second in a couple nice Rhythm throw there on first down he located his tight end made it a nice easy pitch and catch hoping he can break a tackle or two wasn't able to do that there but still good yardage on second down William Willam S four yds the pickup first down in the first half he was held in check on the ground but despite that lack of production they still have the lead yeah they've got to feel fortunate about that if they could actually get production from their lead horse that would help open up this offense and widen this margin [Applause] too they stick to the ground game on first down it's Williams and he's across the 45 it'll be second down oh that's a real nice job there by the defensive front they just engaged and held their ground but how about the guy who made the play we often talk about whether they take a good first step or not many times you just don't take any step just get your feet moving get your body going and then once he made the read he was able to make the play they run it again with Williams and they'll get this just to the 47 one yd gain but not much on that run Charles no that's exactly the way to execute a run blitz there they guessed correctly that they would move the ball on the ground honed in on it and stopped them Mark that down for a win in the defense's column they are in need of six yards here if they hope to move the chains throwing on third down staford a hit as he throws there incomplete and those two just haven't been in sync thus far they've done a nice job against him but still with his talent you would expect them to have more completions to him in this game here comes the Rams punter now as he's on for the fifth time here [Applause] today this is taken around the 12 so a change of possession here on the punt and the Vikings now heading on to the field our game's hit a little bit of a lull here a little bit of a snag punts on backto back drives an old school coaches don't necessarily mind that didn't turn it over right didn't create a big play for the other team right now what you're looking for is can you gain an advantage in field position and that's what both teams are seeking right now yeah they'll be seeking to gain that Advantage here on this [Applause] drive and this turns into a nice gain with a slide at the end [Applause] from the 34 now here's first and 10 off the play fake McCarthy and that's incomplete at this point in the second half one mistake on a force throw could do them your chances of the comeback so that's the right call there to just throw that one [Applause] away third quarter of a tight football game as we come up on a second and 10 from the shotgun a give to Jones and he'll push ahead for about three to the 36 pretty good little two-play sequence there you force the incompletion then a very short pickup yeah now maybe bring in an extra defensive back or two because you want to try and defend on third down they like to play those nickel or sub packages don't they so seven yards from the first down here as they come up to the line of [Applause] scrimmage on third down McCarthy and the throw there going to be incomplete one first down here and That's all folks good work by this defense to hold things in check and force a punting situation and here's Ryan Wright now as he's on to punt for [Applause] Minnesota this will be fielded at the 17 it's a 45 yd punt 6 yds on the return the Rams offense now making their way out to take over no points last time out they were forced to punt if you remember but no time to dwell on that they've still got the lead here and a chance to add to that here first and 10 as this new Drive [Music] starts Stafford and the Rams come up first and 10 at their own 23 they'll come out throwing here to start the drive and that's going to be incomplete not his best throw there but where we sit right now in the third quarter he's had a pretty good game throwing the football he certainly has and it's not exactly at the point where we're doing four-minute offense yet but they've got to think about I'm not going to say milking the clock but understanding clock management here on out on second down here's Stafford got a man and he hits him in stride and he'll wind up losing yardage here back at the 21 yd line two yds the loss and now third and 12 now I'm not putting him in the Hall of Fame but if look at the great linebackers in history they all have that ability to innately sense where a play is going sometimes even before the ball snap and they're there and end up making the play staford he's got his Target that's complete and he is going to have a Rams first down as they're able to get the third down conversion whenever we talk about moving the sticks and controlling the football there's a great example right there those are the third Downs you need to convert to win football games we're in the third quarter of this one and this is a tight one in order to maintain Pace keep the ball away from the other team and put points on the board those are the plays they need to continue to convert on First and 10 Stafford throw right side going to be caught by higgy and he has a big gain inside the 40 before being dropped 25 yds that time I'll tell you what a lot of those mid-range throws have been available because sometimes teams get too concerned about the default and they leave too much space in front of them and these guys have been taken advantage so far now a 10th carry here's Williams and he is met in his tracks behind the line of scrimmage officially it's a one yd loss that's going to bring up second and 11 I'll tell you what this defense hasn't played its best but they're still right in this football game and if they keep making plays just like that they're going to give their offense chance looking at a second and 11 now after the loss to throw is Stafford firing quickly here and that's complete so the completion good for seven there and now it's third and four 1 and that is going to do it for this third quarter of action you're watching the NFL on EA Sports back now in Los Angeles here's the seventh play of this drive this is third and four here's Stafford they'll set up the screen this is Williams and he'll be taken down but he does have first down yards give him six yds and they do convert on third that's just what you call a chain mover right there nothing fancy get the ball out to the back and you're asking him to make a little bit extra out of maybe what is nothing and he does exactly that picks up the first down I can't wait till we get to the point partner where we're not saying chain mover but we're saying laser pointer picks it up for the first down and he Powers through the first wave but he's going to be swallowed up behind the line of scrimmage run blitz there defensively something we might see more of here in the fourth quarter I think we'll see a lot of it and and the difference between that and a pass Blitz pass Blitz you're trying to get to the quarterback you're trying to scheme someone open who will get to the QB and make sure he gets on the ground in a run blitz you're actually trying to cover up gaps trying to cover up holes so they can't run the football Stafford's throw it's complete into the hands of higgy and down he goes taking it inside the 10 just shy of the five at the six that one goes for 24 yds these guys certainly are not hiding what their intention is they're absolutely showing it they're definitely not to to sit on this lead here in the fourth [Applause] quarter so first and goal six points here would go a long way toward wrapping this one up they'll try and run this is Williams it'll be a gain of five there as they move closer it's second and goal as long you been the Air Attack that's gotten him down here but now where you start to lean on that running game that's a good pick up there on first and goal on the ground with a tight end and he is into the end zone touchdown Los Angeles a touchdown run there from a yard out and the Rams are able to build on to their fourth quarter lead that's certainly going to bump up the old win probability index because now it's a two-score game here in the fourth quarter yeah you're taking me into that deep water now win probability Index this game's definitely not over we're not looking at a half percent or something it's just two scores but the way that this team has played to me what I've seen they absolutely deserve to win this game they've been the better team by far throughout extra point splits the uprights and that pushes the lead up to [Music] [Applause] 11 set now to kick this one away and off it goes [Applause] and able to get this across the 20 but not much further as he's dropped at the 23 yd line and the football going back to the Vikings offense and the script really is flipped for them the momentum on the other sideline and now they have to try and battle back from a two-score deficit [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] they'll start on the ground here on first down and a short pick up to about the 27 it'll be second down I feel like I could see what he was thinking on that carry wanted to follow that big tackle through the hole ended up only getting four yds on the carry I think he had designs on that one being bigger ball on the 27 here's second and six back to throw McCarthy going underneath he's got hackinson it'll go as a gain of four and now two yds to go on third down and he's the epitome of what we call the move tight end a guy that you can line up anywhere in the slot out wide in tight doesn't really matter because he has such great skills you want to utilize him in all aspects of your passing offense and Barry was in the slot for the catch they'll try and run for it with Jones and they get him down but not before he takes it across the 40 yd line 45 yds rushing for him now on what was his 10th carry of the ball game now yes a two- possession game but a good chunk of time on the clock so they have the ability still there to run it on second and short but maybe they need to pick it up a bit you're right they did pick up the first down there but they as you mentioned they have to pick up the pace now because it's a two-possession game they've got to get there twice to make sure they have a chance to win and now a throw on first down there but it's incomplete had an open man that time but end up putting a little too much heat on it don't you think partner absolutely just needed a touch more air under it instead he fired an absolute bullet here now is second and 10 Again from the 41 operating from the gun McCarthy that's into a crowd and intercepted travius white with a pick and they'll start out with great field position at the 47 yd line in enemy territory defensively that time they were in zone coverage as a rookie QB what lesson can you learn there well understand this you saw zone in college and the defensive backs reacted but they don't react like they do on this level so when they're in zone and they see the ball coming to them they'll react at least a half a second faster you've got a know where you want to go with the ball and be decisive with it otherwise the end result can be something you don't like up the middle it's Williams defensively Harrison Phillips there to stop him got to figure now after getting that turnover they're just going to be happy to keep the ball on the ground right this is where covering the football taking care of the ball all the ball security terms that have ever been used they come into play for the guys on offense right now just take care of it and they've got a good chance of ending up winning this game here's Stafford now on second down I like the call it looked like the right time to dial up a running back screen but this one got disrupted right from the start and ends up falling incomplete the Rams on third down they've converted six times and could use a seventh here this is third and nine from the gun here's Stafford and that's to the left sideline and incomplete the frustration evident there because he couldn't find anyone on third down and he left no doubt that he was throwing that one away here comes the Rams punter now as they're forced to kick for the sixth time today and it's out of bounds now we'll see what the side judge says he says out at the 8 yd line now the Vikings offense gets set to take over here their defense was able to force the punt that's the good news but this is still a two-score game and they need points on this drive and in a relatively quick manner the field position game such an overlooked fac of Charles of an NFL game but this offense they're going to be pinned back what an ideal punt an ideal Punt and it leads to that term complimentary football because them doing that puts their defense in a great spot doesn't it gives them a chance if they want to be aggressive try and maybe get a safety out of this whole thing it puts him in that position the throw right side is complete here on the first play of the drive a big play play there for Minnesota 41 yds and the offense is saying to itself right now if only they were all this easy because he was wide open and once he made the catch plenty of room to work his way down field that was a breakdown on the defensive side of the ball one that they want to fix [Applause] immediately the big play has him all the way out near midfield for a first and 10 operating from the gun McCarthy and this will be incomplete physical play on the football there and it's second down and partner to me that one was all about timing if he's there too early it's going to be a pass interference call if he's too late it's a completed pass he was Johnny on the spot on that one under four to go now as they come up on second [Applause] down operating from the gun McCarthy and just one yard here from the 49 to the 50 well it certainly appears to me that the defensive guys are starting to look a little bit tired while he still has some fresh legs not the biggest gain we've seen on a scramble but still some positive yardage on a play that initially looked like a sure win for the defense in need of a conversion on third down they had the big play to start the drive not much [Applause] since looking for Jefferson but this is intercepted travius white with a pick that's interference defense so a costly penalty yardage wise as that'll move the football down to the spot of the foul and what the officials are looking for in these situations whether you're playing the man or the ball and if you're playing the man you get a lot less leeway in terms of what's going to happen at the end of the play but if you're looking for the football it's less likely to draw the flag and down inside the 15 he goes 10 yds and it's good for a viking first down well every drive from here out is definitely crucial and critical they know that they need to get at least three here to get it back to a one- score game but I can't imagine that in their huddle that they're thinking at all about getting a field goal they want to get into the end zone and then try and get the ball back again now a throw to the End Zone on first down but it winds up incomplete had the right idea there trying to throw it to the sideline but he let him just a little bit too much trying to get it out to his receiver ends up falling to the ground incomplete an incomplete pass on first down that leads to a second and [Applause] 10 a give to Jones and he's going to get about four down inside the 10 to the nine that second down play call was not to pick up the first down it was to accomplish what they did to get them into a manageable third down because they had incompletion on first down so they were behind the sticks so to speak they need to make up some ground and they did and now they're in the hurry up to throw on third down McCarthy there's Addison touchdown Vikings a great effort there his second touchdown of the afternoon and the Vikings have made it a onore game again here in the fourth so certainly some importance to this one now after the touchdown they could get this down to a field goal with a two-point conversion they'll look to throw and no it falls incomplete so the two-point conversion no good I don't know about you but I can't wait for a few years of two-point tries and see what the data tells us because a lot of teams want to throw the ball in this situation this time unsuccessfully I just wonder if maybe running the ball might be the way to go with it moved up from the three to the two you would think maybe a few more attempts at I I think stats overtime May bear out that running the ball will at least be the equal of throwing it in that [Music] situation Minnesota's kick team ready and the Vikings boom it away and out a little across the 25 to the 27 and the Rams now coming out on the field after the touchdown we just saw we have a brand new ball game and now look at the situation you got plenty of time on the clock defensively they have three timeouts so do you run the football here or do you throw it I think you have that full conversation with your offensive unit and you tell them here's the situation they've got all their timeouts so we are not going to play this conservatively we've got to attack them we've got to make them use those gain the ground that we need in order to put this game away if you think we're just going to run it three times and putt it you got no thing coming yeah and by the way also the two-minute warning in play so essentially four timeouts left they have to be aggressive here fourth quarter down to the final two minutes and we've got a one- score game so it's Rams football here as we get you reset an ideal down in distance to try to finish this thing off second and inches and he'll get it out near the 40 to the 39 and now right out of the two-minute break we'll get a timeout used defensively with a minute 56 to [Applause] [Music] go not totally Home Free yet but it's looking good as they come up first and 10 they'll try and run down some clock with Williams now the Vikings will use the second of their timeouts that'll leave them with just one remaining in this fourth quarter of play [Music] so they come up on second down if they can get another run like we just saw would likely put an end to this thing now a man who's been busy this afternoon it's Williams the Vikings going to use their third and final timeout and they'll be disappointed to have to burn one there after giving up the first down [Applause] get out of here with a and they'll indeed take a knee [Music] [Music] they try the left side here with Williams and the stop here will come at the 38 yd line holding off so that run play nullified by the holding call on the tight end yeah I just think he needs to get off the ball a lot quicker and get into the block a little bit more effectively then he doesn't have to reach and grab and try and hold on the Rams go Victory formation as they take the [Applause] knee I got you [Applause] baby Stafford down to a KNE and with it he's going to ensure his guys a [Applause] victory here comes the Rams punter now as he's on to kick it away fair catch taken right at the 10 yd line and a fun close ball game comes to an end on that last play Charles they were on the wrong side of Midfield they needed something near a miracle and they couldn't get it done yeah the effort that was good very good in fact they were just a little too far out to get a decent look at the endzone for that last opportunity couldn't get it done but a nice game overall