Vikings receiver Jarius Wright tried to avoid the tackle of the Rams’ Christian Bryant. (Getty)
Los Angeles Rams 7-0-3-15 — 25
Minnesota Vikings 0-13-7-7 — 27
Final
Click here for the final box score.
The opening drive of Jared Goff‘s first career start showed why the Los Angeles Rams took him No. 1 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.
But the rest of his outing showed he still has a way to go.
Goff led the Rams on an opening drive touchdown, but turned the ball over twice leading to 10 points in a 27-25 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason finale Thursday night.
Goff finished 6 of 16 for 67 yards with a touchdown, interception and lost fumble. He was 3 of 4 for 53 yards and the score on the opening drive.
Vikings undrafted rookie running back Jhurell Pressley stole the show scoring touchdowns on a 106-yard kickoff return and a 28-yard reception.
The Rams turned the ball over 4 times — 2 on special teams — and allowed 4 sacks. Los Angeles, though, tallied 5 sacks and 12 quarterback hits.
Keep reading to see all the game highlights and stats.
Rams-Vikings Highlights
Goff Hit Britt to Give the Rams a 7-0 After Their First Possession
That’s #1 pick-level arm strength.
@JaredGoff16 fires it into @KennyBritt_18‘s arms.
Jared Goff looked the part of a No. 1 overall pick as he led the Rams down the field for a touchdown on their first possession of the evening. Goff misfired on his first pass attempt, but connected on his next three with the final completion going to Kenny Britt for a 1-yard touchdown for 7-0 lead just over 3 minutes into the game. Goff also connected with Bradley Marquez once for 30 yards and Chase Reynolds for 22.
After the opening drive both offenses sputtered, failing to find any real rhythm until late in the half.
Sorenson & Pressley Hooked Up for a 28-Yard TD With Just Over 30 Seconds Left in the Half
Whoa…
This @Vikings TD dimmed the lights in the stadium.
Literally. 😳 #LAvsMIN t.co/IvwT9Ynbdo
The Vikings took advantage of two late first-half turnovers by Goff to take the lead.
Goff was intercepted by 300-pound defensive tackle Toby Johnson on a tipped pass at the line with under a minute to play in the second quarter. Then the newly-resigned Brad Sorensen hooked up with Jhurell Pressley for a 28-yard scoring strike on a dump-off pass to give Minnesota a 13-7 lead.
Sorensen was cut, but re-signed after starter Teddy Bridgewater was lost for the season after suffering a knee injury in practice Tuesday.
Sorensen entered the game for Joel Stave, who left the game to get X-rays on his left hand. He was also reportedly given tests to check for a concussion.
Trailing 7-0, Blair Walsh hit 30- and 34-yard field goals to bring the Vikings within 7-6.
The second field goal was set up by a Goff fumble deep in Rams territory. He fumbled a shotgun snap and it was recovered by Stephen Weatherly just after the 2-minute warning.
Goff finished 6 of 16 for 67 yards with the touchdown and one interception in his first career start.
Whoops.
@JaredGoff16 drops the shotgun snap and the @Vikings recover. #LAvsMIN t.co/EKvQ6LRBgS
Pressley Returned a Kickoff 106 Yards for a TD
After the Rams cut into the Vikings lead 13-10 with a Greg Zuerlein 34-yard field goal, Pressley took the ensuing kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown and a 20-10 lead.
It was Pressley’s second electrifying score of the game. He took a short pass and turned it into a 28-yard score late in the first half.
Pressley is an undrafted rookie out of New Mexico who signed a free agent contract with the team.
C.J. Ham’s 1-Yard TD Run Gave Minnesota a 27-10 Lead
The Vikings took advantage of another Rams turnover deep in their own territory to extend their lead to 27-10 early in the fourth quarter.
Rams rookie Paul McRoberts muffed a punt and Minnesota took over at the 6-yard line. Three plays later, C.J. Ham plunged into the endzone from 1 yard out.
It was the Rams’ fourth turnover of the game, including three in their own red zone.
McRoberts Caught a TD Pass for the Rams
McRoberts, who fumbled a punt minutes earlier to set up a Vikings touchdown, got some redemption halfway through the fourth quarter by scoring one of his own on a 2-yard fade pass from Sean Mannion.
Terrence Magee ran in the 2-point conversion to make the score Minnesota 27, Los Angeles 18.
L.A. Added a Late TD on a 26-Yard Run by Aaron Green
.@Rams rookie @AaronGreen22 goes untouched into the end zone.
The @Vikings lead is now 27-25. #LAvsMIN t.co/pIyjK6cpwp
Rams rookie running back Aaron Green scored on a 26-yard touchdown the on the play just after the 2-minute warning to cut Minnesota’s lead 27-25 with 1:53 left in the game.
Green, out of TCU, accounted for 52 of the 64 yards on the drive. He had the TD run and added 3 receptions for 26 yards.
Rams-Vikings Stats
Rams Stats
Passing: Jared Goff 6 of 16, 67 yards, TD, INT, fumble lost; Sean Mannion 15 of 23, 135 yards, TD
Rushing: Aaron Green 13 carries, 66 yards, TD; Terrence Magee 10-41; Jared Goff 2-8
Receiving: Bradley Marquez 2 catch, 30 yards; Chase Reynolds 1-22; Kenny Britt 2-9, TD; Temarrick Hemingway 3-41; Aaron Green 3-26; Terrence Magee 2-12; Michael Thomas 3-38; Austin Hill 1-9; Tyler Higbee 1-6; Duke Johnson 1-6; Paul McRoberts 1-2; Justice Cunningham 1-1
Defense: Morgan Fox 3 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 4 QB hits; Mike Jordan 5 solo tackles
Vikings Stats
Passing: Joel Stave 9 of 18, 76 yards; Brad Sorensen 4-9, 53 yards, TD
Rushing: C.J. Ham 15 carries, 59 yards, TD; Jhurell Pressley 14-29; Sorensen 1-(-1)
Receiving: Kyle Carter 2 catches, 15 yards; Jarius Wright 3-35; Jhurell Pressley 4-49, TD; David Morgan II 2-15; Isaac Fruechte 1-10; Laquon Treadwell 1-5
Defense: Kentrell Brothers 8 tackles (6 solo, 1 TFL, 1 pass defensed); Stephen Weatherly 1.5 sacks, fumble recovery
Whoa.
Jarius Wright with the incredible back-shoulder grab! 👏 #LAvsMIN t.co/OgVWEUKr2W
Rams-Vikings Preview
When the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings square in the preseason finale Thursday night at the brand new U.S. Bank Stadium, much of the focus will be on the quarterbacks.
For the visiting Rams, 2016 No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff will get his first career start at quarterback for the team. Goff, who is expected to back up Case Keenum in the regular season, has completed 16 of 33 passes for 165 yards with a touchdown and an interception through the preseason so far.
As for the Vikings, the team lost starter Teddy Bridgewater for the season to a torn ACL in a non-contact practice drill earlier in the week. Bridgewater, who made the Pro Bowl in 2015, was placed on IR. Veteran Shaun Hill will be the Week 1 starter. The other two quarterbacks on the roster are Joel Stave and Brad Sorenson, both undrafted free agents who have never attempted a regular-season pass.
With the deadline to have 53-man rosters set coming Saturday, the Vikings are likely to look into quarterbacks who become available around the league.
Click here to see how watch the game on TV and go here to find out how to watch online.
The Legacy Gates will be open for tonight’s game.
The five largest pivoting doors in the world will open at 4pm.
Jared Goff is starting tonight at QB for @RamsNFL
Nice Digs #Minnesota !! #LAvsMIN 💜💛🏈
