Rams dominate Vikings 27-9 to advance in postseason
The Los Angeles Rams dominated the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 on Monday to close out the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. The game was played in Glendale, Ariz. at a neutral site because of the wildfires in Los Angeles.
The Rams’ pass rush was the story of the night, as they piled up nine sacks on the Vikings, tied for an NFL playoff record. The game was more or less over by halftime, as Los Angeles took a 24-3 lead into the break.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns, earning his first postseason victory since Super Bowl LVI.
Minnesota’s Sam Darnold struggled mightily in the face of the Los Angeles pass rush. He completed 25 of 40 passes for 245 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Darnold also fumbled on one of the nine sacks, and it was recovered by the Rams for a touchdown.
The night started with a statement drive by Los Angeles, who scored on a seven-play, 70-yard jaunt on the game’s first possession. After a quick three-and-out by Minnesota, the Rams took a two-score lead with a field goal on their next drive.
The Vikings answered with a field goal of their own early in the second quarter, but it didn’t get much better from there. Minnesota’s last two drives of the first half ultimately cost them the game.
First, after the Vikings defense forced a three-and-out following a Darnold interception, he was strip sacked, and Jared Verse recovered the ball and returned it for a 57-yard touchdown. Then, on Minnesota’s next possession, Darnold was sacked on 4th-and-2 from midfield. Los Angeles took advantage of the short field and scored a touchdown five plays later.
The Vikings would finally score a touchdown in the third quarter — after a Rams field goal — but it was too little too late. The teams largely traded punts for the final 20 minutes of game time.
Minnesota’s season is now over after only one round of the playoffs. The Vikings went 14-3 in the regular season, but started the postseason on the road because the Detroit Lions won the NFC North division.
Darnold, who started every game for Minnesota this year but struggled in the last two, is currently on track to be a free agent.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, will now head on the road for real in the Divisional Round. The Rams’ next opponent is the Philadelphia Eagles, who won their Wild Card matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
