The Los Angeles Rams will host the Detroit Vikings on Monday, January 13 at 5 p.m. PT at SoFi Stadium, with ESPN/ABC televising the contest as part of the NFL’s Wild Card weekend.
The Rams clinched the No. 4 seed in the NFC after finishing with a 10-7 record and winning the NFC West. They were in the third spot going into Week 18 when they opted to rest a majority of their starters, resulting in a loss at home to the Seattle Seahawks.
As the No. 4 seed, the Rams still get to host a playoff game at SoFi Stadium on Wild Card weekend against the Vikings, who finished fifth with a record of 14-3. Minnesota had a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed and win the NFC North in Week 18 but lost to the Detroit Lions.
So now instead of getting a bye and homefield advantage, they will have to come back to L.A. where they lost earlier in the season in Week 8.
The Rams and Vikings played a fun game on Thursday Night Football and there should be plenty of intrigue for the rematch on Monday night in the playoffs. Sam Darnold is returning to L.A. where he starred at USC, as is Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who was the Rams’ offensive coordinator during their Super Bowl winning season in 2021.
That playoff run started with a home win on Monday Night Football, and now Sean McVay and the Rams will look to start this run in the same fashion. It won’t be an easy task though as the Rams and Lions were the only two teams to beat the Vikings all season.
Official Rams & NFL Wild Card weekend schedule
Saturday:
1:30 PT: Chargers at Texans
5:00 PT: Steelers at Ravens
Sunday:
10 a.m. PT: Broncos at Bills
1:30 PT: Packers at Eagles
5:00 PT: Commanders at Bucs
Monday Night:
5:00 PT: Vikings at Rams
Byes: Chiefs and Lions
