Amidst massive wildfires, devastation and destruction, the Los Angeles Rams remained strong, including playing a “home game” 400 miles away from their home stadium, and the Los Angeles Rams stayed strong during the NFC Wild at State Farm Stadium in Los Angeles. They defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 in a card game. Arizona on Monday night.
The Rams, who started the season 1-4 and had the lowest scoring offense of all 14 playoff teams, not only survived away from Southern California, they thrived.
Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns and the Rams defense recorded a whopping nine sacks and scored his third touchdown in the win over the Vikings. The nine sacks are tied for an NFL playoff record.
“That’s a resilient group,” Stafford told ESPN after the game. “A great combination of young players and older players… We knew what we were playing for today. It was for the people of Los Angeles who are suffering right now. The whole community and the whole country is rooting for him. It was unbelievable to see that. It’s a tough time.” To be able to come back there and come out here and play like this and give these guys something to be happy about. I’m very happy about that.”
With the win, the fourth-seeded Rams advance to the NFC Divisional Round against the second-seeded Eagles next week in Philadelphia.
Despite winning 14 games this season and losing to just two teams all year, the Vikings finished much faster than anyone expected.
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 13: LAFD salutes during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. Los Angeles Rams hat. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
After clinching the NFC West title in Week 17, Stafford and the Rams’ starting pitchers got an extra week of rest. That allowed Rams head coach Sean McVay to prioritize rest over seeding in his team’s 30-25 loss to the Seahawks in Week 18.
The decision paid off as the well-rested Rams moved down the field early and scored a touchdown on a 5-yard pass from Stafford to running back Kyren Williams.
The Rams’ defense intercepted Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold and scored on a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by rookie Jared Verse midway through the second quarter.
The Rams punctuated the first half with Stafford throwing his second touchdown pass of the night to tight end Davis Allen with 15 seconds left to take a 24-3 lead at halftime.
Holding a three-touchdown lead, the Rams never looked back, sacking Darnold three more times in the fourth quarter and forcing a turnover on downs within their own territory with 3:30 left to seal the victory. .
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 13: During the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Game at State Farm Stadium on Monday, January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Wally Scully/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Rams improved to 8-1 at State Farm Stadium under coach McVay, but their only loss was a 41-10 loss to the Cardinals in Week 2. The playoff victory was the team’s first since defeating the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in the Super Bowl. LVI.
There will be more questions than answers for the Vikings. They lost back-to-back games to the Lions and Rams in Weeks 7 and 8, and again the last two weeks. During that time, they posted winning streaks of five and nine games, respectively.
Darnold will be a free agent after the season, and despite having an MVP-caliber season, he is expected to go elsewhere after Minnesota drafts former Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy in April. .
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 13: Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen (87) enters the NFC Wild Card game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, January 13, 2025 at State Farm Stadium. Celebrating a touchdown with wide receiver Cooper Kupp during the second quarter of the game. In Glendale, Arizona. (Gina Ferrazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Playing with heavy hearts under difficult circumstances, the Rams gave the city of Los Angeles something to celebrate, at least for one night. The organization worked with the NFL to make the difficult decision to move the game to Arizona last Thursday to free up much-needed resources like hotel rooms and police for wildfire victims.
They shuttled thousands of Rams fans by bus to State Farm Stadium and, thanks to Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, transported players, coaches, staff, family members and pets to Phoenix on two private planes provided by the Cardinals. I was able to send it to.
“We were living in it every day. It was a tough week for us. There were a lot of fluctuations,” Stafford said of her chaotic week in Los Angeles. That includes the evacuation of a Hidden Hills home during the West Hills fire, reducing damage. Within 3 miles of the team’s practice facility. “Our organization has done a tremendous job of getting us here to practice, bringing our families, and coming here and helping us do what we do in every phase. I’m really proud of this group for playing like they did.”
Now, the Rams return to Los Angeles, where winds are expected to pick up on Tuesday, intensifying an already dire firefighting effort. Amidst the smoke, ashes, and chaos, the city and Rams team begin preparing for the future.
For the City of Angels, it’s been a long and difficult rebuilding process. For the Rams, it’s Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the formidable Eagles offense that beat them 37-20 at SoFi Stadium in November.
But for one night only, the Rams, the city of Los Angeles and their fans can exhale and celebrate a small victory in what will be a very long battle for the Southern California community.
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