Los Angeles Rams defensive sort out Kobie Turner (91) and Los Angeles Rams defensive sort out Braden Fiske (55) have fun a sack on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throughout the second half of an NFL wild card playoff soccer sport, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photograph/Ross D. Franklin)
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GLENDALE, Ariz. — Matthew Stafford threw two landing passes and the Los Angeles Rams overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings, sacking Sam Darnold an NFL playoff record-tying 9 instances to win 27-9 Monday evening in an NFC wild-card sport that was moved out of Southern California due to devastating wildfires.
Rookie Jared Verse returned a fumble for a 57-yard rating for the Rams (11-7), who regarded snug of their adopted residence of State Farm Stadium from the primary snap. LA drove for a landing on the opening drive and constructed a 10-0 lead by the top of the primary quarter.
The sport was moved to the Phoenix suburbs — practically 400 miles east of the Rams’ residence in Inglewood, California — due to the wildfires that proceed to burn within the Los Angeles space. LA’s subsequent sport shall be on the East Coast towards the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Verse’s landing with 4:35 left within the second quarter gave the Rams a 17-3 lead. Darnold was beneath strain from blitzing cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon when he misplaced the ball. The 24-year-old Verse scooped it up and ran down the sphere untouched, somersaulting into the top zone.
The play despatched the Rams’ devoted right into a frenzy — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned some 45,000 followers made the trek from California for the sport, and the 63,400-seat stadium appeared full.
It was the lowlight of a brutal first half for Darnold, who was making his first NFL playoff look. He was sacked 5 instances earlier than the break and threw an interception when Cobie Durant picked off a cross supposed for Jordan Addison.
Minnesota (14-4) had an opportunity to earn the NFC’s high seed within the remaining sport of the common season, however Darnold struggled in a loss at Detroit. His poor end raises questions on his long-term future with the Vikings after he performed this season on a one-year deal.
The Rams took a 24-3 lead when Stafford hit tight finish Davis Allen for a 13-yard landing with 15 seconds remaining within the first half. Stafford completed with 209 yards passing and accomplished his first 10 passes, together with all six on the opening landing drive.
Joshua Karty’s 44-yard discipline aim made it 27-3 on the opening drive of the second half. Kobie Turner completed with two sacks for the Rams.
LA caught a break early within the second quarter when a doubtlessly game-changing fumble was overturned by replay. Stafford was being pulled to the turf by Minnesota linebacker Jonathan Greenard when the quarterback shoveled the ball ahead simply earlier than he hit the bottom.
Minnesota’s Blake Cashman grabbed the ball on the bounce and ran 26 yards to the top zone. Officers known as it a fumble on the sphere, nevertheless it was dominated an incomplete cross after a replay assessment.
The Vikings by no means threatened once more.
Darnold accomplished 25 of 40 passes for 245 yards, however misplaced 82 yards on the 9 sacks. The Vikings managed 269 whole yards and plenty of of these got here when the sport was already out of hand.
Los Angeles realized on Thursday that its playoff sport can be in Glendale, which is residence to the division rival Arizona Cardinals. The Rams traveled to Phoenix on Friday and practiced on Saturday on the Cardinals’ facility.
Accidents
Vikings: OL Brian O’Neill was evaluated for a concussion.
Rams: TE Tyler Higbee (chest) left within the first half and didn’t return. … Witherspoon (thigh) left within the third quarter.
Up subsequent
The Rams go to the Eagles in a matchup of defenses that dominated within the opening spherical.