Vikings Offense Suffers 'Self-Inflicteds' in Loss at Rams

He was solid overall at the Rams, clipping 72% of his throws for 240 yards, two TDs and no turnovers.

"I thought Sam played well," O'Connell said. "We're continuing to grow as an offense with Sam playing quarterback. I think he was really sharp throwing the football – there were some nice plays between him and Justin."

Jefferson immediately looked the part of the Madden “99 Club,” recording three receptions for 44 yards, including two for 17, across the first seven plays. Oliver was the only other player Darnold targeted on that drive.

The Vikings offense was humming on its second series, too. Darnold extended his completion streak to eight; Jefferson had two more catches of 15-plus yards and Trent Sherfield, Sr., who usually does his best work as a blocker, hauled in his first touchdown in Purple on a similarly wide-open crosser from 10 yards.

A stellar first quarter increased the Vikings first-quarter point margin to 62, which is 23 points ahead of second-place Tampa Bay and counts as the third-best mark through seven games in the NFL since 2000.

"I feel like we've just gotta do the little things right and hash out the details, and I feel like if we do that we're going to be a really good offense and a really good team," Darnold said, "or I know we're going to be a really good offense and a really good team. It's little things that we can control."

Mental lapses capsized the good vibes.