GLENDALE, Ariz. — As Sam Darnold attempted to find an opening in the pocket, he discovered there was simply no escape. The solid blue and yellow fortress that represented the Los Angeles Rams’ defense closed in rapidly upon him. It was Akhello Witherspoon who made the crucial play, bringing down the Minnesota quarterback and forcing the ball to slip free. Jared Verse was quick to react, picking up the fumble and sprinting unopposed for a dramatic 57-yard touchdown, igniting cheers from Rams fans in the State Farm Stadium, transformed into a temporary home for the evening.
Matthew Stafford, the quarterback for Los Angeles, expressed his thrill in the moment. “Our defense,” he emphasized, “just went crazy.” Amid a challenging week for the city itself, marred by widespread wildfires that have left a destructive mark on the area, the Rams utilized that collective grief and uncertainty to fuel their exceptional performance on defense. They recorded nine sacks against Darnold, tying an NFL playoff record, leading to a decisive 27-9 victory in the wild-card game held in Arizona.
Stafford contributed significantly to the team’s success, throwing for two touchdowns. From the outset of the match, the Rams appeared relaxed and in control. They confidently marched down the field for a touchdown on their opening drive, taking a 10-point lead by the close of the first quarter. Rams head coach Sean McVay remarked on the team’s representation of the city, describing their endeavor as a unifying force that could offer a temporary respite from disturbing realities.
The game was relocated to Arizona, nearly 400 miles from Los Angeles, mainly due to the need for public safety resources to address the wildfires back home. The Rams are set for their next challenge on the East Coast, facing the Philadelphia Eagles come Sunday. Verse’s crucial touchdown, which came late in the second quarter, stretched the Rams’ lead to 17-3. The linebacker celebrated by performing a somersault in the end zone after his significant play. “I wanted to dunk on the field goal post, but I was too tired,” he joked afterward.
This touchdown incited a frenzy among Rams supporters, with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell noting that about 45,000 fans journeyed from Los Angeles for the game, resulting in a packed 63,400-seat stadium. For Darnold, however, the first half represented a nightmare; it was his inaugural appearance in the NFL playoffs. He faced relentless pressure, getting sacked five times and throwing an interception—an errant pass intercepted by Cobie Durant, aimed at Jordan Addison.
Despite entering the final game of the regular season with hopes of securing the NFC’s top seed, Darnold struggled, adding to concerns regarding his long-term future with the Vikings after a one-year stint this season. “You’ve got to play to a certain standard,” admitted Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, reflecting on the team’s disappointing performance.
The Rams increased their advantage to 24-3 when Stafford connected with tight end Davis Allen for a 13-yard touchdown just before halftime. Stafford concluded the night with 209 yards on 10 completions, impressively hitting all six passes during the initial touchdown drive. “At this time of year, being cautious doesn’t pay off,” Stafford asserted. “You must step up and make plays, especially in the playoffs—it’s about winning, not just hoping for favorable outcomes.”
A 44-yard field goal from Joshua Karty opened the second half, pushing the score to 27-3. Kobie Turner was also vital on defense, contributing two sacks for the Rams. However, the game almost took a different turn early in the second quarter when a possible game-changing fumble by Stafford was overturned. After being tackled by Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard, Stafford managed to push the ball forward just before hitting the ground, with Blake Cashman recovering and returning it for a touchdown. Officials initially ruled it a fumble, but upon review, it was deemed an incomplete pass.
“Getting that play called back was tough,” reflected Cashman. “But there was plenty of time left in the game. We needed to continue pushing and find ways to win.” Unfortunately for the Vikings, they couldn’t mount a serious comeback after that point.
Darnold finished the game completing 25 out of 40 passes for 245 yards, albeit losing 82 yards due to the nine sacks he endured. As a team, the Vikings only amassed a total of 269 yards, much of which came during garbage time. “They were just better than us today,” remarked Darnold, acknowledging missed opportunities early on. “Too many errors made a difference.”
The Rams received word late regarding their game being held in Glendale, but quickly adapted, traveling to Phoenix on Friday and practicing at the Cardinals’ facility on Saturday.
Injury updates: The Vikings had OL Brian O’Neill assessed for a concussion, while the Rams lost TE Tyler Higbee to a chest injury early in the game. Akhello Witherspoon also exited in the third quarter due to a thigh issue.
Looking ahead, the Rams prepare for a matchup against the Eagles, as both teams look to leverage their strong defenses demonstrated during the initial playoff round.
