LOS ANGELES – No coach could draw this up. No system could manufacture it. For a brief moment, as jaws dropped and a stadium sat stupefied, it was unclear just how the laws of physics had allowed for it.
But Jared Goff had no time for gravity or any other such earthly limitations, not in the middle of the best football game of his life. No mortal defense was going to stop him on Thursday night. His mind-bending, ceiling-shattering touchdown throw late in the second quarter of a stunning, 38-31 Rams’ victory was evidence enough of that.
At first, Cooper Kupp thought the pass might sail out of bounds. The Rams slot receiver was double covered, but still burning toward the corner of the end zone. No quarterback could possibly find him in such a small window. At least, that’s what he – and the Coliseum crowd – figured. But as Goff rolled right and a vicious Vikings rush laid chase, the young quarterback cocked back his right arm and hurled it, anyway, without even setting his feet.
A year ago, Goff would have never delivered such a dart. Even when the Rams offense was clicking, their young quarterback occasionally left throws on the field. His success, it might’ve seemed then, was a product of a system and its innovative architect, Rams coach Sean McVay. In recent weeks, before he blew up for 354 yards and three touchdowns last Sunday against the Chargers, that sentiment had crept back into the football zeitgeist.
But on Thursday night, even McVay could barely trust his eyes as Goff launched a rocket into the cool Los Angeles night. “Unbelievable,” the Rams coach called it after.
It was perhaps the only word that could adequately describe that moment as Goff’s throw soared just over the top of two Viking defenders and landed in Kupp’s outstretched arms. “Jared put it in about a six-inch box that he could only fit it into,” McVay said.
Every throw Goff made on Thursday oozed with that sort of confidence, the kind often reserved for the league’s elite. He hit tight windows over the middle and dialed up deep ball after deep ball, torching a secondary that once ranked among the league’s best. Four of Goff’s five touchdowns traveled more than 20 yards in the air.
FINAL: @RamsNFL WIN on #TNF! #MINvsLAR #LARams
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His accuracy, at every level, was pinpoint, as he completed 26 of 33 passes for a career-high 465 yards, the third-most in a single game in franchise history. No quarterback this season has thrown for that many yards in a single game. According to Pro Football Reference, no quarterback in NFL history has thrown for as many yards with a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
“Lights out,” running back Todd Gurley said. “He’s been playing like one of the best quarterbacks in this league. Big night for him.”
And a huge night for the Rams, who are now 4-0, the NFC’s only remaining undefeated team. With Goff at the level he found on Thursday, they are essentially unstoppable. Even as Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins countered his counterpart’s sorcery in the pocket, dicing up the Rams defense for 400 yards and three touchdowns and keeping things close down the stretch, there was little doubt Goff and the offense would answer. “We were rolling,” the quarterback said.
After Minnesota took a lead early in the second quarter, Goff found Kupp on a brilliant, 70-yard wheel route, lofting the pass behind a trailing Vikings linebacker with perfect precision. When the Vikings drove the field again, scoring in just three plays, Goff’s only hiccup of the day – a two-incompletion, 3-and-out – was followed by two consecutive scoring drives on just six plays. Combined.
“We’re gonna put up points as fast as we can,” said wide receiver Robert Woods. “If it’s there, we’re going to take it.”
Even when it wasn’t there, Goff seemed to make it work. Each of his three top wideouts finished with over 100 yards receiving on Thursday night. The Rams’ top four targets, including Gurley, each had a reception of at least 36 yards.
This was the Rams offense at its finest, as McVay’s play calling exploited every possible crack he could find in the veneer of Mike Zimmer’s once-dominant Vikings defense. But for Goff, it felt far more meaningful than just one contender besting another. It was a truly transcendent performance — one that should shatter any remaining notions of Goff as anything less than a star quarterback.
Never was that more evident than the moment his throw connected with Kupp in the corner. Still, as Goff released it, he held his breath. “Kind of took a little bit of a chance there,” he said.
It didn’t matter. The throw was dazzling. The Coliseum was floored. “Got away with it,” Goff said later. “That’s what happens when you have good players.”
No, Jared. As we learned amid the fireworks on an electric Thursday night, that’s the sort of thing that only happens when you have a great quarterback.
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Cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman #23 of the Los Angeles Rams knocks the helmet off of Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of their NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. The Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 38-31. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Wide receiver Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams escapes a tackle by Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings for a second half touchdown during an NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. The Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 38-31. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Wide receiver Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams hauls in a touchdown pass in front of Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. The Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 38-31. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Rams quarterback Jared Goff finished with the highest passer rating possible Thursday night at 158.3, leading the Rams to a 38-31 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Defensive tackle Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams sacks quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. The Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 38-31. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Running back Todd Gurley II #30 of the Los Angeles Rams is tripped up by Eric Kendricks #54 of the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. The Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 38-31. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Nickell Robey-Coleman #23 of the Los Angeles Rams, at left, celebrates with teammates after tackling Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of their NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Nickell Robey-Coleman #23 of the Los Angeles Rams tackles Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of their NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Defensive tackle Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a sack on quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. The Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 38-31. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Nice tackle Ndamukong Suh #93 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates sacking quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. The Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 38-31. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Defensive tackle Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams sacks quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. The Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 38-31. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Aldrick Robinson #17 of the Minnesota Vikings hauls in a touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of their NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates with Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams after his 70-yard touchdown reception against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of their NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Cooper Kupp of the Rams hauls in a 70-yard touchdown pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of their NFL game at the Coliseum on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Jared Goff of the Rams throws a 47-yard touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of their NFL game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates with head coach Sean McVay after his 47-yard touchdown reception against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of their NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams hauls in a 47-yard touchdown pass despite the defense of Trae Waynes #26 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of their NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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A Los Angeles Rams fan shows his support before the Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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A Los Angeles Rams fan shows her support before the Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Los Angeles Rams fans cheer before an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before their NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 27, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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