The Los Angeles Rams kicked off their playoff run in emphatic fashion, crushing the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 in an NFC wild-card matchup relocated to Arizona due to raging wildfires in Southern California. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns and the ferocious Rams pass rush sacked Vikings signal-caller Sam Darnold an eye-popping nine times, tying an NFL postseason record, as L.A. advanced to a divisional round clash with the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles.
Rams Come Out Firing On All Cylinders
From the opening snap, the Rams looked right at home in their temporary digs at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Stafford engineered a touchdown drive on the game’s first possession, staking L.A. to a quick 7-0 lead. The Rams defense then forced a quick three-and-out, setting up a field goal to extend the advantage to 10-0 by the end of the first quarter.
Rookie Jared Verse Makes His Mark
The rout was on in the second quarter when Rams rookie Jared Verse scooped up a fumble and raced 57 yards to the end zone. Darnold, under heavy pressure from a blitz, coughed up the ball and Verse was there to capitalize, somersaulting across the goal line to put L.A. up 17-3. The explosive play sent the pro-Rams crowd, which made up the majority of the 63,400 in attendance, into a frenzy.
We wanted to come out fast and physical, and I thought we did that in all three phases. The defense played lights out and gave us a lot of short fields to work with.
Matthew Stafford on the Rams’ hot start
Vikings Offense Silenced
For Sam Darnold and Minnesota, it was a playoff debut to forget. The Vikings mustered only three field goals, with Darnold under siege all night long. He was sacked five times in the first half alone, also tossing a costly interception just before intermission. The ugly showing casts doubt on Darnold’s future as Minnesota’s franchise quarterback after an up-and-down year.
- Sam Darnold: 22/37, 198 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT, 9 sacks
- Jared Verse: 3 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 FF returned for TD
On To Philly
With the resounding win, the Rams earned a trip east to face the Eagles next Sunday. Philly was the NFC’s No. 1 seed after a 14-3 regular season. But the Rams will enter with momentum and confidence after their most complete performance of the year.
When we play like this, I don’t think anyone can beat us. We’ve got a tough challenge going into their place, but we’ll be ready. This is a special group.
Aaron Donald on the upcoming matchup with the Eagles
It was a triumphant start to what the Rams hope will be another magical postseason run as they look to defend their title. But to capture their second straight Lombardi Trophy, they’ll need to conquer the East Coast and dethrone the mighty Eagles. If their wild-card domination was any indication, the Rams will be a force to be reckoned with in these playoffs yet again.
