Questionable refereeing surrounds Sam Darnold's Minnesota Vikings loss to LA Rams

Former USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings lost their second straight game with a 30-20 road loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. The Vikings fell to 5-2 overall, and the Rams, with key players like wide receivers Puka Nakua and Cooper Kupp back in action, moved to 3-4 and picked up their second straight win. The Thursday Night Football game went well for the most part, but the game was not without controversy.

The Rams led 28-20 with less than two minutes left in regulation, and the Vikings had secured the ball on their five-yard line. On the game's decisive play, Sam Darnold was sacked in the end zone by defensive end Byron Young, resulting in a safety. However, the replay showed a blatant facemask penalty against Darnold that was missed. Young even threw his hands on his head, acknowledging the grave mistake he had just made, but no flag ever came out.

“It is what it is. There was a lot we could have done to avoid putting ourselves in the situation we found ourselves in. “So we just have to keep playing better and not put ourselves in this situation right from the start,” said Darnold in the press conference after the game.

The NFL has had a game officiating problem for years, but it's situations like this that make spectators, players and coaches alike lose their minds. Statistically speaking, the odds were good that the Minnesota Vikings would drive the entire field, score a touchdown, and successfully convert the two-point conversion. However, that is irrelevant. The Vikings were deprived of the opportunity to at least have the chance.

Former USC Trojan Darnold played a solid ball game against a hungry Rams defense and pass rush attack. Darnold was 18/25 for 240 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings offense came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions. The offense only scored two field goals after that. One in the third quarter and one in the fourth quarter. Darnold was sacked three times and pressured on a handful of other snaps.

Starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw left the game just before halftime with a leg injury, and the effects were felt as the Rams' pass rush imposed its will on Darnold and the Vikings' pass protection. It was a tough loss for the Vikings, but the season is far from over. Sam Darnold played well enough to prove he is the man to lead the Vikings. The team simply has to take advantage of its opportunities in times of crisis.

After a short week of play, they will take a longer break. The Vikings need it as they are banged up, but as a team they still have everything to do.