By record, the Minnesota Vikings were the best wild card team in NFL history. Their performance against the Los Angeles Rams Monday night said otherwise.
A 27-9 victory for L.A. see the NFC West champion Rams move on to Philadelphia, where the Eagles await, while the Vikings are left shaking their heads and wondering.
Oh, what could’ve been.
Two weeks ago, Minnesota was a 14-win team with bye-week aspirations, fresh off a sensational showing against the Green Bay Packers and riding a wave of nine straight victories into a crucial season finale against the Detroit Lions.
And then it all fell apart.
After a dismal showing against their divisional foes last Sunday to miss out on the NFC’s top seed and drop down to its fifth, the Vikings hit the road for Arizona to try to earn back their right to a divisional round matchup by way of Wild Card Weekend.
Turns out, it was a one-way journey into an early off-season, and eight months of what-ifs for a star-studded team that couldn’t shine in the biggest moments.
Instead, it’s the Rams — a team counted out early on, but one that rallied back for the right to contend and now looks like a squad that won’t be easy to stop.
Here are our top takeaways from the Rams’ rousing, emotional victory over the Vikings in their home away from home to cap Wild Card Weekend on Monday night.
Thanks to the Cardinals, Arizona felt like home for the Rams
Monday night was about more than just football, with tributes pouring in for those affected by the L.A. wild fires, and stories told of how the Cardinals so quickly snapped into action to bring the Rams’ entire operation to Arizona and transform State Farm Stadium into the Rams’ House, just for one night.
While notes of red could be seen scattered around the stadium, the brilliant blue of the Rams adorned almost every surface, from banners around the stands and the logos painted on the field to the fan shop on site selling Rams merchandise. A strange sight, but a beautiful one.
Division rivals on the football field, but clearly family in every way that matters most.
Rams’ defence takes down Darnold in dominant performance
Recently retired Ram Aaron Donald was among the many L.A. faithful onsite in Arizona to cheer on his old squad Monday night, though the way the Rams’ defence was playing, it kind of felt like the three-time defensive player of the year was out there on the field with them. That’s how dominant the Rams’ front four looked Monday night, the unit busting through Minnesota’s offensive line like a wrecking ball and sacking Darnold nine times. Eight different Rams players were credited with at least half a sack in the performance.
It was a decisive answer — with an exclamation point! — to one of the Rams’ most pressing questions heading into the 2024 season: How would L.A.’s defence take shape in the post-Donald era?
Answer: Just fine, and as frightening as ever!
While L.A.’s defence shone in the spotlight, the performance didn’t come as a total surprise. The front office and coaching staff has been developing this young defence — which includes a handful of 2024 draft picks, headlined by edge rusher Jared Verse — all season, and it really started to click down the stretch. Not including Week 18’s loss to the Seahawks, which saw the Rams rest most of their starters in what was a meaningless matchup, L.A. has now completed four games without allowing more than nine points.
The Rams limited the Vikings’ high-octane offence to just 269 total yards, allowing only 3.8 yards per play. Minnesota ran 20 more offensive plays than the Rams, and yet lost by 18 points. Darnold’s lone interception was a pick-six, snagged and sprinted home by rookie Verse — the 2024 Rams’ answer to the Donald-sized gap left behind by No. 99.
Rams’ strong start brings a dose of déjà vu
Monday’s matchup began with a rare — and yet, all too familiar — sight for the Vikings, whose defence has been sharp all year long… with a few notable exceptions, that is. Minnesota gave up just two opening-drive touchdowns through 17 regular-season games this year, one of which was scored by the Rams when the teams met in Week 8. They gave up a third Monday night when the Rams once again caught them on their heels early.
Both times, L.A.’s opening TD against Minnesota came on a five-yard toss down the middle to running back Kyren Williams.
Both times, the Rams went on to win. That October matchup, a 30-20 home win for L.A., was a turning point for both clubs. The Rams, who’d been looking like trade deadline sellers at the time, put on an offensive showcase that woke up everyone — including themselves — to the fact that, when healthy, this was still a team capable of great things. Their ascension through a gridlocked NFC West set off from there.
The Vikings, meanwhile, set about their own journey of nine straight wins following that loss, up until the Lions stopped them in their tracks in Week 18. We know now what happened next.
Rams’ run game stars, but supporting cast shows up, too
L.A.’s offensive onslaught didn’t stop with their opening drive, of course — and it wasn’t all a replay of that Week 8 win. Stafford, who completed 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, barely targeted his top stars in this one. Eight different weapons caught at least one pass and registered double-digit yards, with star Cooper Kupp targeted just once and co-star Puka Nacua leading the way with five but registering just 44 yards. It was Williams who led the way in L.A.’s attack, carrying the ball 16 times for 76 rushing yards and catching three passes — including the aforementioned déjà vu-inducing opening score.
Darnold ends magical season in Minnesota with more questions than answers
Sam Darnold’s ascent from bust and backup to starting quarterback of one of the NFL’s most dynamic offences was one of the best stories of the 2024 season.
His crash back down to earth, thanks to back-to-back disastrous performances on the biggest stage, has been tough to watch.
Darnold’s offence managed just 18 points combined between last week’s loss to the Lions and Monday’s defeat against L.A. Darnold looked shaky, out of sync with his receivers, and altogether out of his depths, holding onto the ball too long and failing to convert on even some of the shortest outlet passes. Justin Jefferson, a receiver in his own talent tier, couldn’t muster up much offence alongside him.
Just a few weeks ago, it wasn’t so wild to think Minnesota might re-sign Darnold, considering how he’d fared all year. Now, it seems all but certain he’ll be moving on, and it’s worth wondering how much this two-game dip may have cost him on his next contract, wherever that may be.
Is J.J. McCarthy ready to take the reins?
Rams’ win places final piece in Divisional Weekend puzzle
The divisional round slate is set, with the Rams taking the final slot — a date with the Eagles Sunday afternoon.
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