By Gary Klein, Los Angeles Occasions
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Now that’s what you name making your self proper at residence, even when it was almost 400 miles away.
Due to security issues brought on by wildfires in Southern California, the NFL moved the Rams’ NFC wild-card recreation towards the Minnesota Vikings from SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium.
However the Rams — on a mission to win and likewise carry the spirits of their devastated hometown — didn’t flinch Monday evening.
Matthew Stafford handed for 2 touchdowns and the Rams protection dominated in a 27-9 victory that superior the Rams to a NFC divisional spherical recreation towards the Philadelphia Eagles subsequent Sunday at Lincoln Monetary Area in Philadelphia.
The Rams sacked Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold 9 occasions. Cornerback Cobie Durant intercepted a go, and rookie edge rusher Jared Verse returned a fumble for a landing because the Rams beat the Vikings for the second time this season and superior to the divisional spherical for the primary time because the 2021 season, once they received Tremendous Bowl LVI.
It was an exhilarating victory for a Rams crew that left Los Angeles on Friday to flee the fires which have devastated the Southland and to arrange for a Vikings crew whose solely losses throughout a 14-3 season got here towards the top-seeded Detroit Lions twice and the Rams.
The Rams made each effort to provide the stadium a well-recognized really feel.
There was no big Oculus videoboard suspended over the sphere, however the Rams emblem was painted at midfield and the tip zones had been painted blue with yellow letters spelling out RAMS and LOS ANGELES. The digital ribbon boards that ringed the within of the stadium additionally had been in Rams colours, and the Rams introduced their DJ, rock guitarist and mariachi band.
Busloads of followers made the journey, Mookie Betts and several other teammates from the Dodgers World Collection champions attended, and retired defensive lineman Aaron Donald confirmed as much as consolation his former teammates and root them on.
For all sensible functions it was SoFi East.
Coach Sean McVay constructed up his crew from the second they misplaced the season finale towards the Seattle Seahawks, a recreation by which he rested starters. A victory would have arrange a wild-card recreation towards the Washington Commanders or Inexperienced Bay Packers, however the defeat put the Rams in a possible matchup towards the highly effective Lions or Vikings.
“We respect all, but we fear none,” McVay mentioned after the sport.
If the Rams wanted any additional motivation, Lions coach Dan Campbell inadvertently supplied it. After his crew’s 31-9 victory over the Vikings, he informed Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, “I’ll see you in two weeks.” A screenshot of that change was taped above a passageway within the Rams’ facility.
A couple of days later, McVay addressed his gamers whereas holding a paperweight emblazoned with “Built for this,” and he emphasised that theme after the Rams practiced Saturday in Tempe, Ariz.
The Rams seemed the half towards a Vikings crew that also gave the impression to be in a funk after their embarrassing loss to the Lions.
The usually slow-starting Rams broke from custom and scored early. They constructed a 10-0 first-quarter lead on Stafford’s landing go to working again Kyren Williams. They prolonged it on Verse’s fumble return — exuberantly punctuating the play with a somersault into the tip zone — and Stafford’s landing go to tight finish Davis Allen for a 24-3 halftime lead.
The Vikings by no means threatened to make it shut.
Now the Rams should get able to play the Eagles.
On Nov. 24, the Eagles stomped the Rams 37-20 at SoFi Stadium behind working again Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 255 yards, together with landing runs of 72 and 70 yards.
Defeating the Eagles will probably be a tough activity, particularly on the street.
The Rams confirmed Monday they’re prepared for the problem.
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Initially Revealed: January 13, 2025 at 10:38 PM PST
