vishal kumar
Rams beat Vikings as defense smothers Darnold in NFL wild-card game: Live updates and reaction
Los Angeles advanced to the divisional round after defeating Arizona 27-9, sacking Sam Darnold nine times, a playoff record.
Rams dominate Darnold, Vikings
The Rams defense put on a dominant performance as Los Angeles routed the Vikings 27-9 in a wild-card game played in Arizona due to the wildfires in L.A.
The Rams will travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles on Sunday in the divisional round.
Los Angeles sacked Sam Darnold six times in the first half en route to tying an NFL playoff record with nine total on the night. A pair of touchdown passes by Matthew Stafford and a 57-yard scoop-and-score by standout rookie edge rusher Jared Verse gave the Rams a 24-3 lead at halftime, a deficit the Vikings proved unable to overcome.
Minnesota’s season ends in bitter disappointment without a playoff victory despite having racked up 14 wins in the regular season.
Rams dominate Vikings, will face Eagles in divisional round
Glendale, Arizona The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 on Monday night to progress to the divisional round of the playoffs, which were rescheduled from SoFi Stadium due to the wildfires in Southern California.
For a young defense that has advanced significantly since the season began, including a 41-10 thrashing of the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2 at State Farm Stadium, it was an outstanding showing.
But on Monday night, the Rams got to Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold early and often, and Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Jared Verse recovered a fumble and ran it in for a touchdown to give Los Angeles a 17-3 lead in the second quarter.
Darnold took a total of nine sacks on the night — tying an NFL playoff record — and Minnesota’s offense failed to gain much momentum.
The Rams’ playoff victory — their first since winning Super Bowl LVI during the 2021 season — came as players and coaches wore Los Angeles Fire Department hats and shirts on the sideline to honor the first responders fighting the fires in Los Angeles.
Next comes the divisional round of the playoffs, where the Rams will travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles on Sunday.
NFL Wild-Card Recap: Los Angeles Rams 27, Minnesota Vikings 9
PFF’s 18th-ranked offensive line was no match for a young, flourishing defensive line, and Brian Flores’ well-respected defense was helpless in limiting the resulting damage.
The Los Angeles Rams stifled the Minnesota Vikings in every area while playing in the Arizona Cardinals‘ State Farm Stadium due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. The Rams’ 27-9 win sets them up for a road divisional-round battle with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske and 2023 third-rounders Byron Young and Kobie Turner combined for 17 quarterback pressures — including four sacks — and created an ugly night for Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.
Every player on every play was being examined in real time by PFF’s committed team of graders. Following a comprehensive evaluation, the grades and data will be made accessible tomorrow at 12:00 ET.
To offer you a sneak peek, we have collected some high-level information and snap counts from the game in the interim. In addition to recognizing outstanding on-field performance, our knowledgeable graders have recommended the standout player of the match.
HIGHEST-GRADED PLAYERS
EDGE Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams (83.3)
G Kevin Dotson, Los Angeles Rams (91.8)
EDGE Byron Young, Los Angeles Rams (83.5)
2025 NFL Wild Card prediction, odds, line, spread, time: Rams vs. Vikings picks by NFL expert on 71-39 run
Vikings vs. Rams highlights Wild Card Weekend
With 10 points in the first quarter, including a touchdown on their first possession, the Rams put up a lopsided first half. The Vikings only managed three points in the second quarter, but they added another 14 points, and Verse returned a fumble for a touchdown. It was L.A.’s greatest half of the season.
The Rams attempted to chew clock in the second half, while the Vikings were in a hurry-up mentality. Ultimately, the Rams maintained a strong enough performance to win the game and end the game.
Despite giving up a touchdown in the third quarter, Chris Shula’s defense managed to contain the Vikings’ attack. Despite failing to score a touchdown in the second half, the Rams managed to maintain their lead by making a field goal.
Even though this game had to be played at a neutral location due to a week of wildfires, the Rams arrived prepared to play. The Vikings appeared outmatched, and there are many unanswered questions going into the offseason, particularly their quarterbacking situation.
Sam Darnold’s final game with the Vikings might have been that one.
Vikings vs. Rams ‘
For the time being, the Rams can celebrate their first playoffs victory since their Super Bowl triumph, even though they too have questions. It is impossible to overstate or understate the amazing work the Rams have done to pull off this playoff victory after a 1-4 start to the season.
They now have the right to play the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL playoffs’ Divisional Round. Regardless of how the season concludes, they have won a playoff game, improving on their campaign from the previous year.
It remains to be seen if they will advance further, but thus far, their first season following Aaron Donald’s retirement may be considered a success.
