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After a 5-0 start on the way to their Week 6 bye, the Vikings managed to suffer three losses within the span of six calendar days.

Minnesota followed its Week 7 home loss by opening Week 8's action at the Los Angeles Rams. The Vikings fell 30-20, and in the process, left tackle Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending knee injury in the final minute of the first half. He was replaced by veteran David Quessenberry.

Ever an optimist, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said after the game that he was holding out hope the injury would not be as severe, but an MRI Friday confirmed ACL and MCL injuries.

Wins by Detroit (6-1) and Green Bay (6-2) moved Minnesota (5-2) to third in the NFC North — it would have been fourth if not for Chicago (4-3) losing on a Hail Mary at Washington.

One thing is for certain, there's no space for "woe is we" thinking.

The Vikings will host the Indianapolis Colts (4-4) in a Week 9 contest that was flexed to Sunday Night Football.

Let's get to the questions/comments.

Overall, a weak performance all around. We didn't deserve to win. Too bad we never got consistent pressure on Matthew Stafford all game? I don't think there is a worse second quarter team in the NFL than the Vikings. It really is sad to watch. We are so bad in the second quarter that Darrisaw gets hurt while we are trying to run out the clock to half time after being pinned deep by a good punt and yet another dumb punt receiving team penalty? I am hoping the Vikings can become a consistent and reliable football team soon. Below are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game:

UPS:

1. Beautiful back-to-back TD drives on our first two possessions of the game. Very nicely done.

2. Nice third quarter FG drive. Too bad we wasted our first-and-goal play rushing to avoid a challenge on a good catch? I think only the Vikings could outsmart themselves in that way.

3. Will Reichard is a great kicker and proved it again tonight.

DOWNS:

1. Vikings defense couldn't stop the Rams consistently or effectively. Stafford with 4 TD passes. Kyren Williams with a 100 yards rushing. Puka Nacua chewing us up all night. We couldn't even force a third down on their first possession? At least three times the Vikings gifted them first downs on third-down plays. Just a weak and sad defensive effort.

2. Even more second quarter offensive misery and ineptness? Illegal procedure, illegal formation equals a three-and-out and a punt resulting in a wasted offensive possession. Followed by another sack and penalty-ridden possession. That second possession was just an outstanding job of gifting the Rams an end of half scoring opportunity. We can't even run the first half clock out without incident. Overall, it was just ugly and inexplicable.

3. Two red zone possessions in the second half for FGs instead of TDs. Not good enough. Then, with the game on the line in the fourth quarter, we have to punt. Followed by our weak and ineffective last gasp that ended with an offensive formation penalty and then a safety. Unacceptable execution and very disappointing offensive results.

I am so glad this game is over. Looking forward to the Colts. We need the mini-bye.

— Jeff Ludwig

Stafford had a really good game and surely was happy to welcome back Cooper Kupp AND Puka Nacua to the lineup. In addition to being great receiving threats, both are highly effective run blockers.

The 36-year-old QB played well against the blitz and when Minnesota did not blitz. According to Next Gen Stats, he was 16-for-22 passing with 148 yards, all four touchdowns and one interception when the Vikings did not blitz. He went 9-for-12 with 131 yards when Minnesota did blitz.

The Vikings recorded zero sacks in a game for the first time of 2024 and tallied just two quarterback hits. That's a recipe for a rough night.

The touchdown drives to open the game by the Vikings were an impressive start, but this team continues to struggle to sustain positive momentum.

I can see the interest in hustling to the line to avoid the challenge after that remarkable catch by Justin Jefferson along the sideline, but opportunities in the red zone can be so few, that the value of executing on each play is increased. Following that catch with a 4-yard loss on a run against a Rams run defense that entered Week 8 ranked 30^th in the NFL at 151.7 yards allowed per game and 25^th at 4.74 rushing yards allowed per play was less than ideal.

Minnesota's ineffectiveness on the ground — 22 rushes for 64 yards (2.9 per carry) — is one of the most disappointing elements of that loss.

With the benefit of hindsight (which no one has with a play clock ticking), the Vikings could have been better off without the rushed rush. I say this because the Vikings already were well within Reichard's range and I think the catch would have been confirmed on review. That said, I'm sure the run play they went with was one they liked going into the game. The execution lacked.

The pre-snap penalties on offense must stop, especially now that the offense will be without one of the best left tackles in the NFL.

The Rams did face one third down on their first possession but not until driving to the Minnesota 5. Stafford was able to find Williams for a score on the play.

The flags thrown on the defense to keep the Rams on the field after multiple failed third downs were impactful on L.A.'s second possession that ended with a touchdown to tie the game at 14.

On third-and-7 from the L.A. 49, Stafford's pass to Nacua on an underneath route was off the mark and broken up by Jonathan Greenard, but the back judge (positioned on the other side of the Minnesota 20) threw a flag for holding against Byron Murphy, Jr., while tracking Rams receiver Demarcus Robinson through traffic around the Minnesota 45-yard line.

Analyst Kirk Herbstreit said on the broadcast during the replay he didn't see much from Murphy that would warrant a flag, and Robinson doesn't look like he's expecting one either, based on the end zone and sideline views of his reaction after the play.

Instead of a punt, it was first down for the Rams at the Minnesota 46. L.A. surges with the second chance, busting Williams for 17 on a run on the next snap.

Later during the drive, Stephon Gilmore made contact with Kupp before an underthrown ball arrived, resulting in a correct pass interference call and a fresh set of downs at the Minnesota 6.

Ivan Pace, Jr., tackled Williams for a loss of 1 on the next snap, but the following play featured Stafford escaping pressure from Greenard and contact by Harrison Phillips to deliver the football to Kupp for the tying score. One detail that wasn't much mentioned was Nacua at the start of the play blocking Andrew Van Ginkel similar to a play that has previously resulted in offensive pass interference getting called against the Vikings.

Bottom line, the Vikings know that their execution needs to improve, like finishing a sack of a quarterback.

Team officials and players get fined for complaining about officiating, so I excuse the coaches and players for not expressing their obvious concerns to the media, despite their vociferous and demonstrative pleas to the officials on the field regarding the blatant and dangerous facemask call at the end. There were plenty of other calls that favored the home team. They can't say it. But I can say it. This was a very poorly officiated game, and the Rams were the clear beneficiaries.

Coaches and players also must maintain the next-man-up mantra. Fine. But if you follow the money, the man that went down (Darrisaw) is far more handsomely compensated. I like Quessenberry, and certainly coaching and schemes can help compensate for an OL loss with TEs and backs helping on blocks, but losing Darrisaw was a blow. I can say it.

Coaches and players aren't going to make the Thursday away game excuse. But when you lose a day of prep to travel for a Thursday game, you lose a significantly higher percentage of prep than you would for a Sunday away game. I can say it. I look at the schedule every offseason and rank the games from most to least likely wins. This was unlikely win No. 2 in my calculations. The Vikings can win any game on their schedule, but some opponents and importantly scheduled opponents are more likely wins than others. We seem to play the Rams in L.A. on a Thursday historically. Schedule makers need to look at that. I can say it.

The Vikings looked tired, especially the pass rush. The pre-snap penalties are inexcusable, but a tired team with less prep is more likely to make mental mistakes. I can say it.

The good news is the upcoming schedule offers a little relief. The AFC South is not the strongest division, and Houston is the likely leader. Any given Sunday is a fact of life in the NFL. But Vegas places odds for good reasons, and the Vikings should be favored and frankly should win those games. I can say it.

Coaches and players will talk about each game being one game. But division wins and losses count more. They simply do. That's why Al Davis drafted a guard named Eugene Upshaw with a high draft pick to counter a Chiefs DT named Buck Buchanan. If Buck is not a division rival, that's not as much of a concern. I also remember a time when the Dolphins and Dan Marino circled the Jim Kelly Bills game in Buffalo as the critical game in their schedule. Frequently, a Miami success or failure for its season came down to winning in Buffalo. Team brass needs to recognize that trading a high draft pick to a division rival impacts the Vikings more than trading a high draft pick to Cleveland. I hope our GM has learned that. I can say it. I point this out because the critical games remaining are division games. Plenty of time to prepare and hone for those late-season games when hopefully the team will be peaking.

5-2 is not bad, but it's meaningless if the Vikings don't win the more winnable games as well as the remaining division games. I can say it.

Plenty of football left. Plenty of talent on the team and in the coaches. But the early cushion is evaporating, and the level of play must improve. I'm confident it will.

Skol!

— Jeff K. in Sacramento

If Sam Darnold hadn't been ripped back with a blatant facemask grab, he probably would've made it out of the end zone. Then it's a one-score game and we have the ball with 2 minutes to go. With Sam's strong arm and our many great receivers, we might've gotten a TD. We didn't play our best game — really missed Darrisaw and Blake Cashman — but it's SO frustrating to lose with a bad ref no-call.

— Becky from Wisconsin

And …

I'm confused as to why the non-facemask call was not reviewable. In the field of play, I understand, but this was in the end zone and was a scoring play. Commentators are saying ALL scoring plays are reviewed. Why was this not reviewed? I don't understand why all other scoring plays including extra points and 2-point conversions are reviewed but this safety wasn't?

— Mark B.

And …

"Viking fans are going, 'What the hell?!' " — Al Michaels [during the TNF on Prime stream].

That's correct, Al. As a die-hard Vikings fan since 1974, I understand as much as any Viking fan that we win some, we do not win others. Naturally, I was frustrated that this one did not go our way. And clearly, it's time to move on and get ready to beat the Colts, just like Coach O'Connell indicated. But I feel genuinely angry that such a blatant facemask penalty was not seen, which gave the Rams two points and cost us a chance to tie the game. Even the Rams player began to berate himself after he did it! Ugh, smh. If all scoring plays are reviewed, then it seems that safety scores should be reviewable, too! I am confused and beside myself how such a consequential moment, and in the end zone, could be so casually allowed to dash our hopes — or any team's hopes. The NFL needs to make safety plays reviewable, or somehow address this problem! What the hell?! I will add this — it seems to me that mocking a team's rallying ritual (in this case the SKOL Chant) is unsportsmanlike. Ok, SKOL, onward.

— Tim in Brooklyn, New York

Since your Monday Morning Mailbag host could also be fined for criticizing officials, I'll tread lightly as well.

The rulebook states the following about "twisting, pulling or turning the facemask or helmet opening:"

If a player grasps an opponent's facemask or helmet opening, he must immediately release it. He shall not grasp and control, twist, turn, push, or pull the facemask or helmet opening of an opponent in any direction.

Penalty: For twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, or controlling the mask or helmet opening: Loss of 15 yards. The player may be disqualified if the action is flagrant. If the foul is by the defense, it is also an automatic first down.

Pro Football Writers of America President Calvin Watkins served as the pool reporter to ask referee Tra Blake, who was working a Vikings game for the first time since the December 2022 game against the Colts.

The referee and umpire are both positioned in the offensive backfield. This page from the NFL Football Operations department has a list of responsibilities for the different officials.

On pass plays, the referee:

Watches for false starts by the QB and RB

Watches the RG, RT and monitors their actions and those of the defenders engaged with them

Turns attention solely to QB as the defense becomes a threat

Primarily responsible for all action around and to the QB

Rules on Roughing the Passer, Offensive Holding, Pass/Fumble and Intentional Grounding

The umpire:

Watches for false starts by the C, LG or RG

Watches the C, LG, LT, monitors their actions and those of the defenders engaged with them

Assists the referee with ruling on action around or to the QB

They said they didn't see the facemask that prompted the offender — Rams OLB Byron Young — to put his hands on his own facemask in frustration, thinking he had just given the Vikings a first-and-10 at their 20 with 1:36 remaining.

Unfortunately, a safety is not yet included in the scoring plays that can be reviewed. There were reports Friday that it is likely to be revisited next offseason, but that offers no help in this case.

There was no guarantee the Vikings would have driven the field to tie the game and gone on to prevail in overtime, but they would have liked the opportunity to do so.

That was the second consecutive time the Vikings have played at the Rams (in as many opportunities since the team moved back to L.A.) on Thursday Night Football. Conversely, both trips by the Rams from the West Coast have been for Sunday games.

Like Jeff did when the schedule came out, I looked at the Week 7 vs. a physical Lions team followed by the second-longest trip of the season on short rest for Week 8 stretch as particularly tough assignments from the schedule makers. I also didn't really like that it meant the mini-bye would happen just two weeks after the Week 6 bye. Now, it's a 10-week grind, but also the opportunity to get back in a groove.

We started great with touchdowns on the first two drives. Unfortunately, we were not able to get pressure on Stafford. Two QB hits and that is it. That is not a recipe for success against Stafford. Too much time. Formation penalties. Penalties on third-and-long. Good grief. Third-and-4 from the 17 with 12.57 left, Darnold scrambled, pulled up, passed to Jalen Nailor, who may not have looking for it because he was looking to block. He dropped it. We settled for a FG. Momentum changer. Jefferson appeared to get no catches in the fourth quarter. It appears we score when he gets a catch or two. Not when they shut him out. That facemask missed call at the end was bogus. Our chances were very slim at that time, but that missed call was the nail in the coffin. How will we respond? We have a very good team with high-character guys. We will bring our A game against the Colts.

— Gerald Goblirsch

It seems we see an off-schedule play impact a game's outcome every week, and the scramble/pass to Nailor could have positioned the game for a much different outcome.

It would have converted a first down on a third-and-4 from the L.A. 17-yard line.

According to Next Gen Stats, Minnesota's win probability was 53 percent before the play and dropped to 45 percent after it.

Instead of taking a 24-21 lead, the Vikings trailed 21-20, and the Rams answered with a touchdown drive that lasted 6:30 and put L.A. up 28-20 with 6:17 remaining. Perhaps the Rams would have gone with a field goal instead of going for it on fourth-and-1 during that drive? Maybe they would have gone for it?

And yes, Jefferson was not targeted in the fourth quarter. The Vikings ran just six offensive plays in the final 6:17 with help from that safety, which also includes a change of possession (and the points).

It is puzzling how a play that includes points and a change of possession was left off the list of plays to review.

Whew! Tough loss in L.A. I don't think there's any doubt after the past two weeks that Blake Cashman is a critical piece of our defense. Outside of the fact that he has the green dot, he is so important to our pass defense in the middle. Teams have been feasting on us the past two weeks with passes over the middle. No disrespect to our other inside linebackers, but that stuff just didn't happen to that extent the first five weeks of our season. Get well, Blake! Get the ball!

Any discussion of quarterback play in the NFL that does not include the last two quarterbacks we have played as two of the very best is just not informed. Goff and Stafford made life miserable for Brian Flores. The fact that we were in either one of those games in the fourth quarter is a testament to the fortitude of our players and defensive coaches. Got to give credit where credit is due. Just clean up the yellow flags, guys.

Speaking of, Sam Darnold, maybe a neck massage. SMH.

— Gary L. from Florida

And …

If our defense continues to play like the last 2 weeks, it's going to be a looooong rest of the season. Our secondary is porous at best, has been all year, but the last 2 games have really exposed it. When we can't put pressure on the QB, it's all over because we can't cover anybody. And the last 2 games showed the rest of the league how to beat us. I heard a stat after the Lions game the B-Flo had given up 30+ points only 4 times since he's been a Viking with 3 of those against the Lions. Ben Johnson has his number. After last night there's now 5 such games with 2 in a row. And yes, the late safety that was clearly a face mask personal foul wasn't the D's fault, but we couldn't stop them all night. Only 2 punts by the Rams? Not solid defense. And the return of Kupp and Nacua should not have mattered. What matters is how their receivers, as a whole, were able to get completely wide open. A lot! All night! Our DB's need a lot of work. The interception was total luck off an overthrow by Stafford. Offensively, we saw much of the same. Strong start, looked great for the first two drives, then the false start followed by illegal formation and then the shooting of the foot continued. AND this time the defense even helped with crucial penalties giving them first downs and second chances. After all the talk by O'Connell about cleaning things up and we show up like this? Inexcusable. Tough loss to a lesser team we clearly should've beaten. Super Bowl champs don't lose these games.

SKOL,

— J.B. in Keller, Texas

Cashman's absence because of a turf toe injury he suffered in Week 5 against the Jets in London has been noticeable for a few reasons, and it has probably been magnified by the high-level of play by Jared Goff and Stafford, as well as the strong offensive schemes Detroit and Los Angeles present, and really good supporting casts (now that Kupp and Nacua are back). Those guys were fresh against a secondary that is among the older groups in the NFL that was playing on short rest after an intense game against the Lions.

Without Cashman, it seems like the Vikings have had some communication difficulties, with some missed alignments and assignments. He's been elite as the green dot and highly effective as a blitzer and in pass coverage.

The Vikings are down on Ty Chandler. Do you think they should grab Kene Nwangwu from the Jets practice squad. He had a good preseason and knows the Vikings offense. They would not have to give up any draft capital and pay him league minimum. I would release Myles Gaskin in this move. Kene has great speed and vision.

— Rodger Wilmore in Sacramento, California

Chandler played two offensive snaps, and Cam Akers played zero. Gaskin was inactive.

Aaron Jones, Sr., played 46.

The Vikings likely will benefit by being able to implement more of a rotation. Minnesota fully evaluated Nwangwu and ultimately decided to keep Gaskin at roster cuts.

Well, that was a pretty sorry display of football prowess. The offense in the second half and the defense in the whole game. But, in the long run, the loss is irrelevant. What's really going to hurt is all the other teams on the Vikings schedule are going to study the film of this game and the Vikings may eke out two more wins the rest of the season, but that's about all one can hope for. Also, the Rams may not win another game the rest of the season. They have hit their high-water mark.

— Curt F. in Valdosta, Georgia

The Rams are 3-4 in a division Arizona is leading at 4-4 and can leapfrog Seattle (4-4) in their head-to-head next week.

A hidden unfortunate part of the entire schedule is the Rams lost at the Lions in overtime in Week 1, at the Bears in Week 4 and against the Packers in Week 5, so that's a quadruple whammy that they put on the Vikings this season.

Not good coaching on either side of ball. We should have been able to handle these guys! I know it's Stafford and Cooper! But we've beat better teams. And I'm really disappointed in coaches and the GM for not handling right guard and NT/cornerback spots during our break before this game. Hopefully they address these ASAP.

Thanks and SKOL,

— Toby in Alaska

Dalton Risner is supposed to be close to his return, but one option Minnesota could consider on the offensive line is moving Blake Brandel to left tackle and putting Risner at left guard instead of evaluating between Risner and Ed Ingram at right guard.

Just a thought on the loss to the Rams. Yes, we didn't take care of business enough after our usual starting lead.

But in the key touchdown by the Rams, Stafford eluded two tacklers before throwing a touchdown pass. The second Vikings appeared to hit his helmet, but he ducked just enough to be able to allow him to get away and find an open receiver in the end zone. I suspect that one of the Vikings might easily could have gotten him down — if he grabbed his face mask, which he of course did not.

But how did the official ignore a clear facemask grab to get Darnold down immediately in the end zone? Couldn't they review that?

Sorry to see Jefferson's efforts not lead to a win.

But I don't think this team is finished winning games!

Thanks for listening,

— Brad Lewis in Schenectady, New York

A facemask by the Vikings probably would have ended that play, but that would have been another fresh set of downs inside the 10. Either Greenard or Phillips needs to finish that play next time. Both know it.

OK, that was a very hard loss to watch in person! Looks like we were flat, look like we were afraid to be aggressive on defense and looks like the Vikings I've seen in the past. It's making me lose all faith that this team is different. Again, play calling was suspect. We got one big play and then we got very, very conservative: run the ball, run the ball? Too many defensive penalties, too many penalties when we needed a big stop. Very disappointed! They now put themselves in a bad position in the division and in the conference. This long-suffering fan is starting to suffer again.

— Frankie from Connecticut

Sorry your cross-country trip wasn't rewarded with a more enjoyable experience. The division and the conference are going to be tough, but as of right now, the Vikings still are in the playoff picture.

I have to say I'm pretty disappointed. Have these teams already figured out this defense? How can their receivers be so wide open all the time?? No pressure on Stafford all night. Didn't look anything like the defense from the first 4 1/2 games. Why can't the offense be more consistent? We have Justin Jefferson. Penalties up the wazoo again!! Pre-snap penalties are killing us. Come on! No call on the obvious facemask!! All the things we talked about improving all week and still making the same mistakes over and over again! We have some real soul searching to do in the next 10 days.

Skol!

— RaysVikes!

I do believe L.A., which had a home game in Week 5, its bye, a home game in Week 7 (Raiders) and a home game in Week 8 was fresher and it showed in contrast to a team that had a home game in London, a bye, a home against the Lions and travel on a short week.

Even with a 5-0 start, I think O'Connell and most players expected adversity to pop up somewhere along the way. It's here. Now they'll get to find out how they respond.

This team has no discipline. Equally true for offensive and defense.

Lack of discipline is 100% on coaching. Look at the last four games. Poor discipline and poor coaching. Two Ws and two huge Ls. There aren't any more bye weeks to get this team right. Frankly, the coaching staff needs to get right and not eventually… like 11 days ago!

Defense gives up 5, that's F-I-V-E first downs on penalties by 7:48 in the quarter. I won't get into the DBs blown assignments, from "vets." SMH rancid stench from this D. The INT was pure luck, not good coverage, alllll luck.

Offense? Yup, matching the D in undisciplined play. False starts, holds etc., etc., etc.

For all their bravado about not hearing it, this team has been listening to the "noise."

A note to leadership: best get [it] together cause that look on Jets' face in the fourth says he's wondering about his future with this team of historic failures all the way back to the '70s and to this very night. Big fat zero on Super Bowls. Sad.

P.S. I'll bet my hard earned (IN PERSON) week's wages, you can't bring yourself to publish this honest criticism of OUR team.

— J.D. Tonn

I didn't publish this because of J.D.'s dare at the end, and I don't want him sending any wages this direction. I'm publishing because there are some honest criticisms, even though I don't agree that the team has "no discipline." I did change one phrase that was used. The change is in brackets in the next-to-last paragraph.

I think there's been no shortage of people saying the penalties can't happen. Now it's time for the players to make them stop, particularly the pre-snap miscues on offense.

So the first five games, we are near unstoppable on both sides of the ball. Then the Lions game, our offense sputtered a bit at times but played well enough to win, but our defense completely disappeared in the second quarter.

Then we go to the Rams. Our offense comes out firing on all cylinders, and our defense forgot we had a game. Could not stop a team of nursing home patients. We looked and played horrendously.

The defense that helped beat the 49ers, Texans, Packers and Jets got off the bus somewhere, but it wasn't in Minnesota or L.A.

Do we buy or sell with this 5-2 record now?

— "Big Bad" Bud

The Vikings don't have a significant amount of draft capital if they intend to become buyers before the Nov. 5 trade deadline. The team will either be 6-2 or 5-3 at next week's deadline.

First things first, and that's a really important game against the Colts that you'll all be able to watch on Sunday Night Football.