Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings: Five Vikings to watch revisited

The Los Angeles Rams pushed forward to 4-0 of the 2018 NFL season. After defeating the Vikings 38-31 in the national spotlight, the Rams look towards a divisional matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5.

Although the Vikings came in hoping to slow down the Rams potent offense, Coach McVay found ways to again only score more points than the previous week against perhaps the best defense the Rams will see this season.

Here were the five Vikings I tabbed prior to the game and how they fared:

S Harrison Smith

The best safety in the NFL had a little bit of trouble as the Rams were able to minimize his impact as QB Jared Goff threw for 465 yards and five touchdowns. Smith was quiet with only one tackle for the game.

RB Dalvin Cook

Cook admits today that he’s still not quite at 100%. During the game, the announcers said the Vikings had Cook on a “pitch count” as Cook was still trying to come back from a hamstring injury. Cook finished the game with 20 rushing yards.

WR Adam Thielen

Thielen had a monster game against the Rams (similar to last year). Targeted 12 times, Thielen caught 8 passes for 135 yards and touchdown. With CB Aqib Talib gone for the game and Marcus Peters being less than 100%, Thielen had a great day, along with his fellow pass catchers for the Vikings.

QB Kirk Cousins

Cousins was on his way to an amazing game as well. Efficient and accurate, Cousins battled toe to toe with Goff until making his only, but crucial mistake in ball security.

Cousins finished the game with 422 yards through the air with three touchdowns while adding 28 yards rushing.

EDGE Danielle Hunter

Hunter really impressed me and the numbers backed up his performance. Hunter earned a sack, his fourth for the season and showed great motor and technique.

Hunter finished the game with 6 total tackles including a sack. He also showed some great wheels of his own and hustle on the long Todd Gurley reception.