Highlights & Takeaways From Rams’ Wild Card Win Over Vikings

The Los Angeles Rams had one of the most tumultuous weeks in franchise history as they were forced to move their home playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.

The city of Los Angeles was victim to several wildfires that continue to rage on, so the NFL decided to move the game to Arizona for public safety reasons. This disrupted the Rams’ normal preparation week, though the team still came out looking sharp against the Vikings.

Los Angeles wasted no time scoring as Matthew Stafford connected on some well-timed throws to Puka Nacua and Tyler Higbee that set up a red zone passing touchdown to Kyren Williams, making it 7-0. The Rams defensive line was active early, getting after Sam Darnold and forcing a three-and-out.

On Los Angeles’ next drive, Stafford kicked things off with a 23-yard strike to Demarcus Robinson before later hitting Higbee for a couple more big catches. Joshua Karty went on to hit the 44-yard field goal, making it 10-0 in the Rams’ favor.

Minnesota managed to respond with their own field goal, though the L.A. defense came up with its first turnover when Cobie Durant picked off Darnold on their next drive. Although the Rams were forced to punt the ensuing possession, the defense once again made a play as Ahkello Witherspoon forced a fumble on Darnold that Jared Verse scooped up and returned for a touchdown.

From that point on, Darnold appeared rattled and he and the Vikings offense went on to turn the football over on downs. Los Angeles capitalized with another scoring drive, with Stafford tossing his second touchdown to Davis Allen. that made it 24-3 at halftime.

Continuing the momentum from the first half, the Rams forced the Vikings to punt before they set up Karty for a 44-yard field goal that he nailed. L.A. took a 27-3 lead in the process, but Minnesota finally scored their first touchdown when Darnold hit T.J. Hockenson on a short pass that he took to the house. Fortunately, Quentin Lake spoiled the Vikings’ two-point conversion and kept it a 27-9 contest.

Both defenses were able to step up and prevent any more scores, but it was the Rams defensive line that proved to be the difference in the game. The defensive line constantly got pressure on Darnold and ensured Minnesota could never come back from the deficit.

The Rams tied the NFL record for most sacks in one playoff game with nine total sacks. Meanwhile, the victory marked head coach Sean McVay’s eighth with the team in the postseason

What’s next for Rams

The Rams will head on the road to play the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round on Sunday at 12 p.m. PT