Sam Darnold faced a daunting challenge as he was sacked a record nine times, leading to the Minnesota Vikings’ surprising season coming to an end at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL playoffs. With this victory, the Rams advanced to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round.
The game showcased the Rams’ defensive strength, as Matthew Stafford tossed two touchdown passes in a commanding performance that culminated in a 27-9 win for Los Angeles during the NFC Wild Card game on Monday night. The contest, originally slated for Southern California, was moved to State Farm Stadium in Arizona due to ongoing wildfires in the area, but the Rams adapted seamlessly to the change in venue.
From the start, the Rams dominated, obtaining a 10-0 lead by the close of the first quarter. A key moment came when rookie Jared Verse capitalized on a fumble, returning it for an electrifying 57-yard touchdown, which greatly bolstered the Rams’ confidence on the field.
As the second quarter progressed, Verse’s touchdown with 4:35 remaining extended the Rams’ lead to 17-3. Darnold struggled under pressure from cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, ultimately losing the ball, which Verse picked up and ran unopposed into the end zone, completing a somersault as he crossed the goal line.
The night proved challenging for Darnold, who was making his debut in the NFL playoffs. He faced relentless pressure, resulting in five sacks before halftime. Moreover, his performance was further marred by an interception, as Cobie Durant successfully picked off a pass intended for Jordan Addison, compounding the Vikings’ woes.
Minnesota, who finished the regular season with a notable 14-4 record, had hoped to secure the NFC’s top playoff seed. However, Darnold’s struggles in the final regular-season game against Detroit now raise significant questions regarding his future with the Vikings, especially since he was playing on a one-year contract this season.
The Rams continued to build their lead, going up 24-3 just before the halftime whistle when Stafford connected with tight end Davis Allen for a 13-yard touchdown. Stafford had a solid outing, amassing 209 passing yards and completing his first 10 throws, including a perfect six-for-six on the opening highway to a touchdown.
Early in the second half, Joshua Karty kicked a 44-yard field goal, pushing the Rams’ lead to 27-3 on their first drive of the half, further affirming their comprehensive control of the game. The Vikings suffered another setback early in the second quarter when a potentially game-altering fumble was reviewed and overturned. As he was being taken down by Minnesota linebacker Jonathan Greenard, Stafford managed to shovel the ball forward, leading to Blake Cashman picking it up and sprinting 26 yards for what would have been a touchdown. However, officials ruled it an incomplete pass after replay verification, a fortunate break for the Rams that allowed them to maintain their firm grip on the game.
While Darnold ended the night with 25 completions on 40 attempts for 245 yards, he lost a staggering 82 yards due to the nine sacks he endured. The Vikings registered a total of 269 yards, but many of those came when the game had already slipped out of reach, leaving the team and its fans to ponder the future direction, particularly in light of Darnold’s uncertain status moving forward.
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