Sports

Two games, one week? Go ahead, prognosticate

September 28, 2018 at 4:21AM

Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs — he’s the one with the bare head and the ball in his hands — was still mostly dressed after being tackled. (14) lost his helmet after he was Los Angeles Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman (23) in the second half at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum Thursday September 27, 2018 in Los Angles, CA. ] The Los Angeles Rams hosted the Minnesota Vikings a the L.A. Memorial Coliseum . JERRY HOLT ï jerry.holt@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

It's a dangerous game, this football. And that's even for players who keep their helmets on. It's dangerous, too, for those trying to guess who is going to win. The Vikings endured a loss of historic proportions Sunday, one so far from what had been predicted that it called into question all assumptions, especially any that might have been made about Thursday's game against the Rams. It was scheduled as a clash between NFC powers, teams that might meet for important postseason football. Then came the Vikings' loss to the Bills, and suddenly Thursday night's game, well, it had to be played because it's dangerous to guess about these things.

The ball was loose — sound familiar — after Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins took a hit. (8) was hit by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) in the second quarter , the pass was caught by Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum Thursday September 27, 2018 in Los Angles, CA. ] The Los Angeles Rams hosted the Minnesota Vikings a the L.A. Memorial Coliseum . JERRY HOLT ï jerry.holt@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Tight end Kyle Rudolph was pushed out of bounds by Lamarcus Joyner in the second quarter. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ ï cgonzalez@startribune.com ñ September 2, 2018, Los Angeles, CA, LA Memorial Coliseum, NFL, Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Cousins took a selfie during pregame warmups. Just another skill to be perfected. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ ï cgonzalez@startribune.com ñ September 2, 2018, Los Angeles, CA, LA Memorial Coliseum, NFL, Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Rams quarterback Jared Goff found a willing partner to celebrate a first-half touchdown pass. in the second quarter. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ ï cgonzalez@startribune.com ñ September 2, 2018, Los Angeles, CA, LA Memorial Coliseum, NFL, Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams (The Minnesota Star Tribune)