Matthew Stafford threw two first-half touchdown passes to lead the Rams to a 27-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings Monday in a “home” wild-card round playoff game in Glendale, Arizona, after the NFL moved the contest from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood due to the wildfire crisis in the Southland.
Rookie linebacker Jared Verse scored the Rams’ other touchdown, recovering a fumble by Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold after he was sacked by cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and running 57 yards into the end zone four minutes, 35 seconds before halftime, increasing the Rams’ lead to 17-3.
The victory advanced the Rams into a divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in Philadelphia.
Stafford completed 19 of 29 passes for 209 yards. He was sacked twice.
Darnold completed 25 of 40 passes for 245 yards, including a 26-yard pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson in the third quarter for the Vikings’ lone touchdown. Darnold was sacked nine times and had one pass intercepted.
Rookie Joshua Karty kicked 34- and 44-yard field goals for the Rams, who out-gained Minnesota, 292 yards to 269, but trailed 20-16 in first downs and 32:18-27:42 in time of possession in front of a crowd announced at 64,515 at State Farm Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals.
The Rams announced Monday they would use the game “to bring LA together and uplift and represent their city in Arizona.”
Retired offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, a member of the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI-winning team, addressed the crowd “with a special message to Los Angeles,” declaring, “We are strong. We will not be defined by this devastation. We will rebuild L.A., hand in hand together for as long as it takes and whatever it takes, we will build it together.”
Rachel Platten sang the 2015 song she wrote, “Fight Song,” while a 200-foot LA Together banner dropped down on the sideline as her backdrop prior to player introductions.
The Arizona Cardinals Flag Crew joined the Rams’ mascot Rampage and ran out on the field with LA Together flags to show their support for the city.
In an attempt to replicate the SoFi Stadium experience as much as possible, the field had the LA monogram at the 50-yard line, LA Together royal blue wraps around the lower bowl, Rams’ public address announcer Sam Lagana, in-game guitarist Nita Strauss, DJ DJ Skee and in-stadium hosts Kristen Watson and Camryn Irwin performed their customary duties.
The team offered free transportation for 1,500 select season-ticket holders on charter buses to and from State Farm Stadium. The buses departed from SoFi Stadium on Monday morning and returned after the game.
Rams players, coaches and staff wore custom Los Angeles Fire Department shirts and hats with the Rams monogram on them. The Rams LAFD shirts and hats are available for sale online at www.RamsFanShop.com.
All profits from the sales will be granted to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and American Red Cross to support local firefighters and those impacted by the wildfires, according to the team.
Game-worn jerseys and select game-used footballs will be auctioned off on NFL Auction with proceeds going to the support American Red Cross, the team announced Friday.
Banners thanking firefighters and other first responders were put up in the south end zone.
According to a statement from the NFL last week, the decision to move the game “was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the (National Football League Players’ Association).”
On Friday, the Rams announced support for the LAFD Foundation and the American Red Cross during the unprecedented series of devastating wildfires.
The Kroenke family, owners of the Rams, is making a $1 million donation to benefit the LAFD Foundation through the Kroenke Family Foundation. The LAFD Foundation helps both the Los Angeles county and city fire departments.
“On behalf of our family and the Los Angeles Rams, our thoughts are with everyone affected by the unfathomable fires and destruction,” the Kroenke family said in a statement.
“We are beyond grateful for the tireless efforts of our first responders who continue to protect our community as well as individuals who continue to help our neighbors in need. We know there are both immediate and long-term needs and our family and the Rams are committed to doing our part to support recovery efforts now and into the months and years ahead.”
In addition to the Kroenkes’ donation, the Chargers, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and the NFL Foundation joined in the Rams in each donating $1 million to help deliver vital resources to local organizations supporting those affected by the wildfires.