The Los Angeles Rams played with heavy hearts on monday night.
With the Los Angeles Fire Department decorated on the chest coach and wildfires raging in Southern California at home, the Rams were able to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS REPORTS ON FOXNEWS.COM
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts to Davis Allen’s touchdown catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The game was moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona due to the fire. However, the fans showed up in full force and honored the boys in blue and gold with a great victory.
In defense, it actually started. The Rams sacked Darnold six times in the first half and three more times in the second half, for a total of nine. Jared Verse also recovered a Darnold fumble and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford didn’t need to do too much. He was 19 of 27 for 209 yards and two touchdowns. One touchdown was by Kyren Williams and the other by Davis Allen.
The Super Bowl champion quarterback completed passes to eight different receivers.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Kobie Turner (91) celebrates a sack of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold with Byron Young (0) during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
ROGER GOODELL SPEAKS ON NFL’S DECISION TO MOVE RAMS-VIKINGS PLAYOFF GAME TO LA WILDFIRES
The defense turned Darnold back into the player he looked like earlier in his career. He was late getting passes and looked hesitant for much of the game.
Despite his stellar season, he finished 25-of-40 in the playoffs with 245 passing yards, a touchdown pass and one interception. His lone score went to tight end TJ Hockenson, who led the team with five catches for 64 yards.
Vikings star Justin Jefferson had five catches for 58 yards.
Los Angeles returned to the divisional round for the fourth time under head coach Sean McVay. The Rams will now hit the road against Philadelphia Eagles. The two teams will square off on Sunday at 3:00 PM ET.
The Vikings can start their offseason and figure out what they end up doing with Darnold. The veteran running back was brought in as an offseason emergency after JJ McCarthy suffered a torn Achilles in training camp.
Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson (87) runs after a catch for a 26-yard touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Now Minnesota will have to make a decision whether to hand the keys to the Cadillac to McCarthy or keep Darnold around for at least one more season.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports broadcast on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
