Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp have near-perfect audition in Rams win amidst Vikings trade buzz

Minnesota Vikings trade targets Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp capped off a brilliant night for the Los Angeles Rams.

Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp have near-perfect audition in Rams win amidst Vikings trade buzz

Matthew Stafford had a brilliant outing against the Minnesota Vikings on Week 8's Monday Night Football (Image via Imago)

NFL Week 8 Monday Night Football matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams was not just about the game. It was also about how stars Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp performed. All of them have seen their names among reports as trade talks gain traction.

For Sam Darnold, it was not about being on the trade block. Rather, it was his future as the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. His spectacularly play so far has helped him gain the notion of a stable quarterback who can lead a team. But with his own team allegedly flying their entire contingent to watch his opponent Matthew Stafford, news bulletins were blowing up overnight.

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Darnold kept his composure and finished with 240 yards and two touchdowns and a 128.8 passer rating. But the way his opposite QB played, the Vikings trade talks must have taken a significant boost. Stafford ended his night with a lower passer rating, but his four touchdowns from 279 yards will certainly catch anyone’s eye.

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Matthew Stafford attained those numbers after feeding almost his entire receiving core with sufficient throws. Puka Nacua may have benefitted the most, but his touchdowns to three other receivers suggest the Super Bowl champion has unparalleled field visibility.

On one of those touchdowns, the 36-year-old used his eyes to shift the vaunted Minnesota Vikings defense to the left side of the field—only to then turn the other way and throw the ball to a wide-open Demarcus Robinson.

It seems the Vikings are looking for such a quarterback. Not only to take them a step forward in the race for a Super Bowl, but to also mentor their rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy whenever he returns to full health.

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Vikings may have liked Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp touchdown connection

Along with the star QB, his wide receiver Cooper Kupp is also prime among the names the Minnesota Vikings are after as they know he solves two instant problems. One is to be a reliable second option opposite Justin Jefferson. The other is to bring a veteran presence the young team desperately needs.

Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp had a great outing on his return from injury
Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp had a great outing on his return from injury (Image via X)

Sure, Cooper Kupp has had his fair share of health issues. But when healthy, as he showed today, his surefooted presence helps the rest of the team. As defenders cannot leave him, it helped Puka Nacua to have a big game. The Vikings top brass might be wondering what it could do if he is opposite Jefferson, as the otherworldly wideout is capable of chewing out 100-yard games on his own.

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With Kupp and Jordan Addison alongside him, opposition defenses will be on their toes. The Vikings feel they can try to reach the Super Bowl. To lead them there, they might prefer the Los Angeles Rams duo to do it in their colors.