Rams boot Vikings from playoffs 

The Los Angeles Rams didn’t score a point in the fourth quarter of their Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings. But by that point, the Rams had already built a comfortable lead against the NFC North Division runner-ups.  

The Rams scored 24 points in the first half on their way to a 27-9 win at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The win means the Vikings and quarterback Sam Darnold are one-and-done for the postseason. 

The Rams, meanwhile, move on to the NFC Divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Like the Vikings, the Rams have seen the Eagles this season. In Week 8, the Rams dispatched Minnesota by handing the Vikings a 30-20 defeat. 

GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 13: Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) dives for a catch during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams on January 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)

The Eagles, the NFC East champs, beat the Rams 37-20 back in Week 12. As far as the challenge the Eagles will present the Rams, that’s another story for another time. The good news for the Rams is that they secured another playoff victory for head coach Sean McVay. 

“I’m really proud of our team tonight and with everything that’s going on with our community, everything that these guys have gone through,” McVay said after the game. 

“I thought they epitomized, and they represented the city the right way. You talk about sports offering a platform for people to come together and offering a little bit of temporary relief and I thought the way that our team competed tonight was what it looked like to stay connected, to stay together,” he added. 

For McVay and the Rams, the wildfires that have engulfed Southern California in just over a week have brought the unit and organization closer. The Rams’ practice facility is in Woodland Hills, nearby, where the Kenneth Fire, now contained, raged. 

On the other side of that equation is the ongoing Palisades Fire, less than 20 percent contained and the Eaton Fire, just 35 percent contained, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was on point when it counted with two touchdown tosses, talked about the team’s focus coming into the game. 

“We just want to go be aggressive,” Stafford said. “Obviously, (Rams Head Coach) Sean (McVay) leads the way on all that stuff. There was definitely every excuse in the book to come out here and be lethargic and woe is me and all that, but we knew we weren’t playing just for us. Playing for people back home that needed something to watch and enjoy, I’m glad we could give that to them.” 

GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 13: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) with a catch during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams on January 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)

All three phases of the game contributed to scoring for the Rams, but the story of the game was defense. The Rams harassed and bothered Darnold into a subpar evening in which he completed 25 of 40 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown. 

The Rams did not allow Darnold and the Vikings the privilege of getting into the endzone until the third quarter. Led by Kobie Turner, the Rams sacked Darnold a total of nine times. Darnold talked about that pressure getting to him.

“Yeah, they had a really good plan. They brought some good pressures,” Darnold said. “They played some good man coverage in those second-and-longs, even (on) third downs. I feel like I can be a lot better in terms of just moving on with my progressions, not trying to force anything. I give them a lot of credit for the way they came out, they played and the plan that they had.”

Minnesota was only able to generate 269 yards in total offense and could only convert  6 of 17 of its third-down attempts. The Rams also got a 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown by outside linebacker Jared Verse. McVay had high praise for his defense. 

GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 13: Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay yells to a referee during the NFL Wild Card Playoff football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams on January 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire)

 “I think these guys are all about the right stuff and I think you know that as well,” McVay remarked. “(Rams DE) Kobie Turner’s leadership up front. I think the defensive coaches (Rams DL Coach) Giff Smith, (Rams Asst. DL Coach) AC Carter, (Rams OLB Coach) Joe Coniglio, thought we had a great rush plan and I thought ultimately it’s always about the players bringing it to life and having a real understanding of what we were trying to get done.”

Stafford, who completed 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards and touchdown throws to Kyren Williams and Davis Allen, kept the win in perspective and is already preparing for the next challenge. 

“You win a game in the playoffs, it’s awesome,” Stafford said. “You extend your season one more week, and that’s what we’ve guaranteed ourselves. Obviously, a lot of work to be done now. Between the time we get back home, and I’m assuming we’re able to practice at home. I don’t really know that, but it feels great. It feels great after a week that has tested a lot of people in a lot of different ways.” 

Lead Image Caption: GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 13: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is sacked by a group of Los Angeles Rams during the NFL Wild Card Playoff football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams on January 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire)


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