In a dominant playoff performance, the Los Angeles Rams steamrolled the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 in their relocated wildcard game on Monday night. The Rams, who were forced to move the contest to Arizona due to ongoing wildfires in Southern California, looked right at home as they sacked Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold a playoff record-tying nine times en route to a convincing victory.
Rams Defense Dominates
The story of the game was the Rams’ suffocating pass rush, which harassed Darnold from the opening snap. Rookie Jared Verse provided the signature moment, scooping up a Darnold fumble and racing 57 yards for a touchdown to give LA a 17-3 second quarter lead.
“There’s a feeling amongst the team – this is for LA,” said Rams running back Kyren Williams, referring to the wildfires that prompted the location change. “This is for hope back at home that they can cling onto, that the Rams are going to be the people who can take them away from whatever they’re going through for a few hours.”
Kyren Williams, Rams RB
Stafford Sharp
On the other side of the ball, Matthew Stafford was coolly efficient, tossing two touchdown passes as the Rams built an early lead they would never relinquish. The veteran quarterback finished 18 of 25 for 197 yards.
Darnold’s Disaster
For Darnold and the Vikings, it was a nightmare end to a once-promising season. The young QB was under siege all night, throwing an interception and losing a fumble before halftime as Minnesota fell into a hole they could never climb out of. The ugly performance will raise questions about Darnold’s long-term future with the Vikings.
Eagles Await
With the resounding win, the Rams now turn their attention to the Philadelphia Eagles and a daunting cross-country trip for the divisional round. LA will face a stiff test against an Eagles squad that earned the NFC’s top seed, but after demolishing the Vikings, the confident Rams will head to Philly with a full head of steam and their sights set on another upset.
No matter what happens next, the Rams have already provided their fire-ravaged home region with a welcome distraction and a reason to cheer. As Williams said, this victory was for their city – and the ride isn’t over yet.
