The Vikings had statistical edges in every meaningful area in their 28-7 pummeling of the Rams tonight at the Edward Jones Dome. Minnesota rolled up 358 yards in the air, including TD passes of 71 and 65 yards.
The Vikings limited the Rams to 150 total yards -- 33 on the round and 117 in the air.
Next up for the Rams is the Browns on Saturday night in Cleveland.
VIKINGS DRIVE TO 28-7 ADVANTAGE
A 2-yard pass from QB Joe Webb to tight end Mickey Shuler capped a 13-play, 63-yard drive and pushed the Vikings' advantage to 28-7 with 6:49 to go.
VIKINGS ON TOP 21-7 AFTER THREE QUARTERS
The Vikings maintain a 21-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter, as the Rams can get nothing done on offense. Keith Null still in at QB.
BRADFORD'S NUMBERS
Here are Sam Bradford's numbers: 6 completions in 13 attempts for 57 yards, with no TDs or interceptions. He was sacked four times.
71-YD. TOUCHDOWN EXTENDS VIKINGS' LEAD
Another long scoring pass has extended the Vikings' lead to 21-7 with 3:14 to go in the third quarter.
Wide receiver Marko Mitchell got behind the defense, gathered in a long toss from QB Sage Rosenfels, shook off a tackle attempt by CB Marquis Johnson at about the 10-yard line and scooted into the end zone for a 71-yard TD.
BRADFORD OUT AFTER ONE SECOND-HALF SERIES
Sam Bradford was in for the Rams' first series of the second half. That possession ended in a sack -- the third time Bradford was sacked.
Keith Null now is in at QB.
BRADFORD STRUGGLES; VIKINGS UP 14-7 AT HALF
The Vikings lead 14-7 at the half. Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford had a rough go of it. His last five passes were incomplete, and he was sacked twice.
On the plus side, Bradford popped up from both hits.
LONG TD PUTS VIKINGS ON TOP
Vikings TE Garrett Mills broke open down the middle in what looked like a blown coverage assignment and QB Sage Rosenfels hit him for a 65-yard TD.
Vikings 14, Rams 7 with 6:45 remaining in the first half.
BRADFORD ENTERS EARLY IN 2nd QUARTER
With 12:13 to go in the first half, Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford entered the game for his first NFL action. Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, missed connections with TD Darcy Johnson on his first pass, but found WR Laurent Robinson over the middle for 18 yards on his second toss.
AMENDOLA'S FUMBLE SETS UP VIKINGS TD
After scoring on his last punt return, Danny Amendola fumbled the next one. The Vikings recovered on the Rams' 16-yard line and scored five plays later on a 2-yard pass from Sage Rosenfels to WR Logan Payne.
Rams 7, Vikings 7 with 12:13 left in the first half.
AMENDOLA TAKES PUNT 93 YARDS FOR TD
Danny Amedola hauled in a punt at the 7-yard line, faked a couple of defenders and raced 93 yards to the end zone.
Rams 7, Vikings 0 with 1:29 left in the first quarter.
ROOKIE SELVIE IN AT RDE
Rams rookie George Selvie is in at RDE for James Hall on the Vikings' second series.
FRALEY STARTS AT C, BROWN AT RB
As expected, A.J. Feeley starts at quarterback for the Rams. But in a bit of surprise, Hank Fraley is at center and Jason Brown at right guard.
SEVERAL RAMS SIDELINED
These players aren't suited up tonight for the Rams:
K Josh Brown, S James Butler, WR Brandon Gibson, CB Justin King, CB Bradley Fletcher, G Jacob Bell, G John Greco, DE Eugene Sims, DE James Hall, DE C.J. Ah You.
SUISHAM IN THE HOUSE
The St. Louis Rams' kicker -- at least for one game -- is on the field at the Edward Jones Dome. Shaun Suisham, who has had stints with the Redskins, Cowboys and 49ers, was added Thursday. He'll fill in for Josh Brown, who is nursing a sore hip, in tonight's preseason opener vs. the Vikings.
