Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Rams overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings, sacking Sam Darnold an NFL playoff record-tying nine times to win their wildcard game 27-9 on Monday night.
Rookie Jared Verse returned a fumble for a 57-yard score for the Rams, who looked comfortable in their adopted home of State Farm Stadium from the first snap. LA drove for a touchdown on the opening drive and built a 10-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The game was moved to the Phoenix suburbs – nearly 400 miles east of the Rams’ home in Inglewood, California – because of the wildfires that continue to burn in the Los Angeles area. A “Thank You Firefighters and First Responders” banner was prominent in one end zone and an “LA Together” banner was on display before the game.
“There’s a feeling amongst the team – this is for LA,” Rams running back Kyren Williams said Saturday. “This is for hope back at home that they can cling onto, that the Rams are going to be the people who can take them away from whatever they’re going through for a few hours.”
LA’s next game will be on the East Coast against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Verse’s touchdown with 4:35 left in the second quarter gave the Rams a 17-3 lead. Darnold was under pressure from blitzing cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon when he lost the ball. Verse scooped it up and ran down the field untouched, somersaulting into the end zone.
The play sent the Rams’ faithful into a frenzy – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said around 45,000 fans made the trek from California for the game, 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 appearance. He was sacked five times before the break and threw an interception when Cobie Durant picked off a pass intended for Jordan Addison.
Minnesota had a chance to earn the NFC’s top seed in the final game of the regular season, but Darnold struggled in a loss at Detroit. His poor finish to the campaign raises questions about his long-term future with the Vikings after he played this season on a one-year deal.
