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 at a neutral site in Glendale, Arizona, because of the wildfires in the Los Angeles region.
The Rams’ pass rush was the story of the night, as it piled up nine sacks, tying 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 56.
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 the Rams recovered for a touchdown.
The night started with a statement drive by Los Angeles, which 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 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 fourth-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 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.
Darnold, who started every game for Minnesota this year but struggled in the last two, is on track to be a free agent.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, will 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.
Final: Rams 27, Vikings 9
This one was over by halftime, if we’re being honest.
What an impressive effort by the Rams, who win after a chaotic week in Los Angeles that forced this game to be played in Arizona. The Rams will now play the Eagles in the Divisional Round.
Brutal loss for the Vikings, who won 14 games in the regular season, had to open the playoffs on the road, and are now eliminated. Even more brutal for Sam Darnold, whose potential summer payday has likely taken a hit after back-to-back subpar performances.
Vikings turn over on downs
The Vikings turned the ball over on downs after Sam Darnold threw incomplete on 4th-and-11. Minnesota didn’t exactly have a ton or urgency on the drive, perhaps a sign of how much the team believes it can make up an 18-point deficit.
The Rams have the ball and are trying to chew some clock.
Rams punt after penalty-filled drive
Two holdings and a false start had the Rams staring down a 1st-and-31...so, yeah, they punted.
The Vikings have the ball, but they still trail 27-9 and there are only seven minutes and 25 seconds remaining.
Sam Darnold sacked again; Vikings punt
The Vikings had a gotta-have-it 3rd-and-8 from the Rams’ 37 and Sam Darnold was sacked for a 13-yard loss, killing the drive. It was Los Angeles’s seventh sack of the night.
Minnesota punted down three scores instead of trying to pick up a 4th-and-21, and this one now feels all but over.
End of third: Rams 27, Vikings 9
Good news: The Vikings outscored the Rams in the third quarter 6-3.
Bad news: Minnesota is still trailing by 18 points (or three possessions).
The Vikings need to get going, and get going quickly, if this game is going to be even remotely exciting by the end of the fourth.
Vikings force a punt
Is Minnesota mounting a comeback? The Vikings just forced the Rams to punt after five plays.
Minnesota’s offense has a tall order in front of them, however, as its next drive will start from the 4-yard line, 96 yards away from the end zone.
Touchdown, Vikings!
The Vikings’ offense finally gets in the end zone.
Nice stuff from Sam Darnold, who moved around and made some plays on a 62-yard drive, capped by a 26-yard touchdown catch-and-run by T.J. Hockenson.
The two-point conversion was no good, however, so Minnesota now trails 27-9.
Vikings hold Rams to field goal
The Vikings need all the wins they can get, so they’ll be happy with a third-down sack on Matthew Stafford that forced the Rams to settle for a field goal after an 11-play, 51-yard drive.
Andrew Van Ginkel recorded the sack, Minnesota’s first of the night.
Los Angeles now leads 27-3.
Vikings punt to start the second half
Well, at least Sam Darnold wasn’t sacked on this drive.
The Vikings went 20 yards in five plays, but Darnold missed an open Jalen Nailor on 3rd-and-5 so Minnesota punted.
The Rams will start their first possession of the third quarter with a 24-3 lead.
Halftime: Rams 24, Vikings 3
An ugly one in Arizona tonight, as the Vikings look shell-shocked offensively.
The Rams have six sacks, two takeaways and a defensive touchdown through only two quarters. The offense has been dialed in as well, with 17 points of its own in the first half.
Can Sam Darnold do anything in the second half? Otherwise, Los Angeles could be resting starters early tonight.
