Los Angeles Rams overcome late change due to wildfires in NFL playoff win over Minnesota Vikings
Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes as the Los Angeles Rams overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings, sacking Sam Darnold an NFL playoff record-tying nine times to win 27-9 in the final wildcard game on Tuesday (AEDT).
The fixture was moved out of southern California because of devastating wildfires to Phoenix, nearly 400 miles east of the Rams' home in Inglewood.
LA's next game will be on the east coast against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Rams rookie Jared Verse returned a fumble for a 57-yard score to give his side a 17-3 lead as things went from bad to worse for the Vikings.
Darnold was under pressure from blitzing cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon when he lost the ball and Verse scooped it up and ran down the field untouched, somersaulting into the end zone in a magical playoff moment.
Sam Darnold after being sacked by the Rams. Getty
The play sent the Rams' faithful into a frenzy — NFL boss Roger Goodell said some 45,000 fans made the trek from California - as they clinched a divisonal round spot.
It was the lowlight of a brutal game for Darnold in his first NFL playoff appearance
Minnesota (14-4) had a chance to earn the NFC's top seed in the final game of the regular season, but Darnold struggled in a loss against the Detroit Lions.
His poor finish raises questions about his long-term future with the Vikings after he played this season on a one-year deal.
