Matthew Stafford threw two landing passes and the Los Angeles Rams overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings, sacking Sam Darnold an NFL playoff record-tying 9 instances to win their wildcard recreation 27-9 on Monday night time.
Rookie Jared Verse returned a fumble for a 57-yard rating for the Rams, who seemed comfy of their adopted residence of State Farm Stadium from the primary snap. LA drove for a landing on the opening drive and constructed a 10-0 lead by the tip of the primary quarter.
The sport was moved to the Phoenix suburbs – practically 400 miles east of the Rams’ residence in Inglewood, California – due to the wildfires that proceed to burn within the Los Angeles space. A “Thank You Firefighters and First Responders” banner was distinguished in a single finish zone and an “LA Collectively” banner was on show earlier than the sport.
“There’s a sense amongst the workforce – that is for LA,” Rams working again Kyren Williams mentioned Saturday. “That is for hope again at residence that they’ll cling onto, that the Rams are going to be the individuals who can take them away from no matter they’re going by way of for a number of hours.”
LA’s subsequent recreation shall be on the East Coast towards the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Verse’s landing with 4:35 left within the second quarter gave the Rams a 17-3 lead. Darnold was below strain from blitzing cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon when he misplaced the ball. Verse scooped it up and ran down the sphere untouched, somersaulting into the tip zone.
The play despatched the Rams’ devoted right into a frenzy – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned round 45,000 followers made the trek from California for the sport, and the 63,400-seat stadium appeared full.
It was the lowlight of a brutal first half for Darnold, who was making his first NFL playoff look. He was sacked 5 instances earlier than the break and threw an interception when Cobie Durant picked off a cross supposed for Jordan Addison.
Minnesota had an opportunity to earn the NFC’s high seed within the last recreation of the common season, however Darnold struggled in a loss at Detroit. His poor end to the marketing campaign raises questions on his long-term future with the Vikings after he performed this season on a one-year deal.
