Playoff rivals from a bygone era will be in adjustment mode when the Los Angeles Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the wild-card round on Monday night at Glendale, Ariz.
The NFL moved the scheduled Rams home game to the Arizona Cardinals stadium “in the interest of public safety,” with multiple wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area.
A neutral-site game now, the No. 4 seed Rams (10-7) had earned home-field advantage over the Vikings (14-3) by winning the NFC West. No. 5 seed Minnesota was runner-up to the Detroit Lions in the NFC North.
The Vikings and Rams were regular playoff foes in the 1970s. Minnesota dominated the rivalry then but lost all four of its Super Bowl appearances through the 1976 season and hasn’t been back since.
Minnesota holds a 5-2 advantage in playoff matchups between the franchises and is in search of its first playoff victory since the 2019 wild-card round.
The Vikings flourished this season behind the play of Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold, who was fifth in the NFL in both passing yards (4,319) and touchdowns (35). He threw 12 interceptions and was sacked 48 times, tied for fourth most.
“It’s exciting to step into an environment like we’re going to step into Monday night,” said Darnold, who became the first quarterback in NFL history to win 14 regular-season games in his first season with a team. “(Everybody) is excited about it, but we know we have to put in the work to earn the excitement we’re going to feel.”
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was second in receiving yards with 1,533 and sixth in receptions with 103, while adding 10 touchdowns. Running back Aaron Jones gained a career-high 1,138 yards with five touchdowns.
While Darnold was listed on the injury report with a sore quad, he was a full participant in practice Thursday and is expected to play. Defensive end Patrick Jones II (knee) did not practice, while Jones (quad) was a limited participant.
Darnold will be out to avenge a 30-20 defeat at Los Angeles on Oct. 24. That came just four days after a 31-29 loss to the Lions.
Minnesota recovered to win nine consecutive games before their 31-9 defeat in Week 18 at Detroit.
“My confidence level that we can get him back on track is as high as it could be,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said after Darnold threw for a season-low 166 yards against the Lions. “I know our coaches feel the same way, and I know, most importantly, his teammates feel the same way.”
The Rams recovered from a 1-4 start to win nine of their next 11 games and clinch the NFC West in Week 17. Coach Sean McVay rested most of his key personnel in Week 18, but a 30-25 loss to the Seattle Seahawks dropped Los Angeles to the No. 4 seed and a date with the Vikings instead of the Washington Commanders.
The Rams not only worked their way through early-season injuries to wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, but the offensive line was in scramble mode through the first month.
The offense recovered behind veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns, with eight interceptions. He was sacked 28 times.
“It’s full focus, 100 percent on the Vikings and the challenges that they present, but we’re also human beings and care for the people of our community,” Stafford said. “Hopefully it’s a great escape for people that have been going through tough times.”
Nacua led the Rams in receptions (79) and receiving yards (990), and scored three touchdowns, while Kupp had 67 receptions for 710 yards and six scores. Kupp had just four catches, 54 yards and no touchdowns over his final three games. Kyren Williams rushed for 1,299 yards and 14 scores.
Without future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald, a young Rams defensive line blossomed with second-year players Byron Young and Kobie Turner, alongside rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske.
But the Los Angeles offense struggled immediately after a 44-42 home victory over the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 8. The offense averaged just 14.7 points over the next three games, but all were victories led by the defense.
“Let’s get a good, tight plan together,” McVay said. “Let’s make sure that we have answers, but ultimately a clarity for our players first and foremost and then the ability for them to go cut it loose.”
Offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (shoulder) missed the final two regular-season games but is expected to play. Rookie running back Blake Corum (forearm) is done for the season.
–Field Level Media
