Matthew Stafford threw two landing passes and the Los Angeles Rams overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings, sacking Sam Darnold an NFL playoff record-tying 9 occasions to win their wildcard sport 27-9 on Monday evening.
Rookie Jared Verse returned a fumble for a 57-yard rating for the Rams, who appeared comfy of their adopted dwelling 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 – almost 400 miles east of the Rams’ dwelling 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 staff – that is for LA,” Rams working again Kyren Williams stated Saturday. “That is for hope again at dwelling that they will cling onto, that the Rams are going to be the individuals who can take them away from no matter they’re going by for a couple of hours.”
LA’s subsequent sport shall be on the East Coast in opposition to 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 stress 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 stated 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 occasions earlier than the break and threw an interception when Cobie Durant picked off a go meant for Jordan Addison.
Minnesota had an opportunity to earn the NFC’s high seed within the ultimate sport 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.
