Ariz. Glendale. In an NFC wild-card game that was rescheduled from Southern California due to severe wildfires, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 Monday night, led by two touchdown passes from Matthew Stafford and an NFL playoff record-tying nine sacks of Sam Darnold.
The Rams (11-7) appeared at ease in their new home of State Farm Stadium from the opening kick, as rookie Jared Versere returned a fumble for a 57-yard touchdown. By the end of the first quarter, LA had a 10-0 lead after driving for a touchdown on the first drive.
Due to the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area, the game was rescheduled to the Phoenix suburbs, which are some 400 miles east of the Rams’ home in Inglewood, California. On Sunday, Los Angeles will play the Philadelphia Eagles on the East Coast.
With 4:35 remaining in the second quarter, Verse scored a touchdown to put the Rams ahead 17–3. When Darnold fumbled the ball, blitzing CB Ahkello Witherspoon was putting pressure on him. Verse, 24, snatched it up, somersaulted into the end zone, and sprinted down the field unharmed.
The Rams fans were enraged by the play. About 45,000 people traveled from California to attend the game, according to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and the 63,400-seat stadium looked to be packed.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 13: On January 13, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona, during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff at State Farm Stadium, Darious Williams #24 of the Los Angeles Rams intercepts a pass that was meant for Jordan Addison #3 of the Minnesota Vikings. (Image courtesy of Getty Images/Christian Petersen)Getty Pictures
For Darnold, who was playing in his first NFL playoff game, it was the low point of a terrible first half. Before the half, he was sacked five times and made an interception after Cobie Durant intercepted a pass meant for Jordan Addison.
In the last game of the regular season, Minnesota (14-4) had a chance to secure the top seed in the NFC, but Darnold faltered in a defeat at Detroit. After playing this season on a one-year contract, his dismal finish raises concerns about his long-term future with the Vikings.
With 15 seconds left in the first half, Stafford hit tight end Davis Allen for a 13-yard touchdown, giving the Rams a 24-3 lead. Stafford completed his first 10 throws, including all six on the first touchdown drive, and finished with 209 passing yards.
On the first possession of the second half, Joshua Karty converted a field goal from 44 yards out to make it 27-3. For the Rams, Kobie Turner finished with two sacks.
On Monday, January 13, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona, during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game, Jared Verse (8) dives on while Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner (91) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in the process. (Photo by Ross D. Franklin for AP)
A possibly game-changing fumble was overturned by replay early in the second quarter, giving LA a respite. Just before he struck the ground, the quarterback shoved the ball forward while Minnesota defender Jonathan Greenard was dragging Stafford to the dirt.
Blake Cashman of Minnesota caught the rebounding ball and sprinted 26 yards to the end zone. On the field, officials called it a fumble, but a replay review determined that the pass was incomplete.
There was never another threat from the Vikings.
Darnold lost 82 yards due to the nine sacks, but he still completed 25 of 40 throws for 245 yards. Many of the Vikings’ 269 total yards came after the game had already gotten out of control.
On Thursday, Los Angeles found out that Glendale, home of the division foe Arizona Cardinals, would host its playoff game. The Rams exercised at the Cardinals’ facility on Saturday after traveling to Phoenix on Friday.
On Monday, January 13, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackles Kobie Turner (91), Braden Fiske (55), and Kobie Turner (91), celebrate a sack on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game. (Photo by Ross D. Franklin for AP)
Injuries
Vikings: OL A concussion evaluation was performed on Brian O. Neill.
Rams: TE During the first half, Tyler Higbee (chest) left and never came back. During the third quarter, Witherspoon (thigh) left.
Up next
In a game between two defenses that dominated the first round, the Rams travel to the Eagles.
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