The Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats from the NFC Wild Card playoff game on January 13, 2025, painted a picture of defensive dominance and offensive efficiency that propelled the Rams to a decisive 27-9 victory. Played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona—relocated due to wildfires raging in Los Angeles—this clash was a stark contrast in styles. The Rams’ suffocating defense, which tied an NFL playoff record with nine sacks, overwhelmed the Vikings’ high-octane offense, while Matthew Stafford’s precise passing kept the chains moving. Diving into the Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats, we uncover the individual brilliance and team synergy that defined this postseason thriller. This article breaks down the key performances, turning points, and statistical deep dives, offering fans a comprehensive look at why the Rams advanced to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round.
Game Overview: A Defensive Masterclass in the Desert
From the opening kickoff, the tone was set. The Rams jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, thanks to a 5-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to running back Kyren Williams and a 34-yard field goal by kicker Joshua Karty. The Vikings, seeded fifth with a stellar 14-3 regular-season record, managed just a 34-yard field goal from Will Reichard in the second quarter to trim the deficit to 10-3. But the Rams’ response was ferocious: rookie edge rusher Jared Verse scooped a fumble and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 17-3. Stafford capped the half with a 13-yard strike to tight end Davis Allen, sending the Rams into the locker room up 24-3.
The second half offered little respite for Minnesota. Another Karty field goal from 44 yards made it 27-3 before the Vikings finally cracked the scoreboard with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to tight end T.J. Hockenson in the third quarter. A failed two-point conversion left the score at 27-9, and the Rams’ defense clamped down from there, allowing no further points. In total, the Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats highlighted the Rams’ edge in efficiency: 292 total yards to Minnesota’s 269, zero turnovers to two for the Vikings, and a staggering 51 plays to Minnesota’s 71, underscoring the Rams’ ball-control mastery.
Team stats further illuminate the disparity. The Rams converted 2 of 10 third downs (20%), but their red-zone efficiency was 2-for-4 (50%), while the Vikings went 0-for-1. Penalties plagued Los Angeles with 10 for 95 yards, but Minnesota’s 2-for-20 didn’t translate to momentum. Time of possession favored the Vikings at 32:18 to 27:42, yet the Rams’ explosive plays—bolstered by their defensive scores—proved decisive.
Rams Offense: Stafford’s Surgical Strikes and Williams’ Ground Game
At the helm of the Rams’ attack was veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, whose Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats line read like a playoff veteran’s dream: 19 completions on 27 attempts for 209 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions, good for a 117.7 passer rating. Stafford’s efficiency was on full display in the scoring drives. His first-quarter TD to Kyren Williams—a quick slant that exploited a Vikings linebacker drop—came after a 12-play, 75-yard march. The second-half connection with Davis Allen was a play-action bootleg, freezing the safety and hitting the tight end in stride for 13 yards.
Running back Kyren Williams was the workhorse, embodying the Rams’ balanced approach. In the rushing department, he carried 16 times for 76 yards (4.8 yards per carry), providing crucial short-yardage gains. But his receiving prowess shone brighter: three catches for 16 yards, including that pivotal 5-yard touchdown. Williams’ versatility forced Minnesota’s defense to account for him in multiple facets, opening lanes for the passing game.
Wide receiver Puka Nacua, the Rams’ explosive second-year star, hauled in five receptions for 44 yards on nine targets, with a long of 27 yards that set up the second field goal. Veteran Cooper Kupp, limited by injury earlier in the season, made his presence felt with a 29-yard grab on a deep post. Tight end Tyler Higbee led the receivers with five catches for 58 yards, serving as Stafford’s safety valve on underneath routes. Davis Allen’s lone reception was his touchdown, a red-zone gem that showcased the Rams’ tight end depth.
Backup Ronnie Rivers added three carries for eight yards, while Nacua even chipped in a 7-yard rush. Stafford himself scrambled twice for a net minus-1 yard, but his pocket presence was impeccable, taking just two sacks for seven yards lost. Overall, the Rams’ offense amassed 202 passing yards and 90 rushing yards, converting opportunities into points with ruthless precision.
Vikings Offense: Darnold’s Struggles Amid Talent
On the flip side, the Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats exposed the vulnerabilities in Minnesota’s offense, led by Sam Darnold. The quarterback went 25-for-40 for 245 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but the nine sacks he absorbed for 82 yards lost ballooned his time under pressure. Darnold’s lone score—a 26-yard bullet to Hockenson in the third quarter—came too late, after the game was all but decided. His fumble, recovered by Verse for the pick-six equivalent, was a backbreaker.
Running backs Aaron Jones and Cam Akers combined for 22 carries and 87 yards, with Jones leading at 13 for 48 (3.7 YPC) and Akers adding five for 39, including a 26-yard burst. Darnold’s four scrambles netted 19 yards, but they couldn’t mask the line’s breakdowns.
Receiving corps headliner Justin Jefferson was held in check with five catches for 58 yards on eight targets, his longest a 22-yard out. Jordan Addison managed three for 29, while Jalen Nailor had three for 33. Hockenson’s five receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown were his highlights, but drops and coverage from Rams safeties limited bigger gains. Johnny Mundt (two for 28) and Trent Sherfield (two for eight) provided depth, but the Vikings’ 245 passing yards felt hollow against the Rams’ 292 total.
The Vikings’ possession advantage didn’t yield points, as they managed just 6-of-17 on third downs (35%) and 1-of-4 on fourth. Their red-zone drought—0-for-1—was emblematic of a night where talent met an immovable object.
Defensive Dominance: Rams’ Record-Tying Sacks and Vikings’ Resistance
No analysis of the Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats is complete without the Rams’ defensive heroics. Coordinated by Chris Shula, the unit tied the NFL playoff record with nine sacks, generating relentless pressure that sacked Darnold on 22.5% of dropbacks. Rookie Jared Verse, the No. 19 overall pick, led the charge with one sack, six pressures, and that iconic 57-yard fumble return touchdown—his first career score. Verse’s burst speed and instincts turned a routine fumble into a momentum-shifter.
Kobie Turner, the second-year DT, notched two sacks and five pressures, setting a personal playoff high. Byron Young (1.5 sacks, four pressures) and Neville Gallimore (1.5 sacks, two pressures) terrorized from the interior, while Michael Hoecht (one sack, four pressures) and Cobie Durant (one sack from the slot, plus one interception on a comeback route) added blitz packages. Braden Fiske and Keir Thomas each had 0.5 sacks, with Fiske and Thomas contributing two pressures apiece. This collective effort held Minnesota to 3.8 yards per play and just nine points.
Slot corner Cobie Durant’s interception was a near-miss for a pick-six, but it forced a punt. Linebacker Ernest Jones led tacklers with eight stops, while safety Kamren Curl had seven, including a pass breakup on third down.
The Vikings’ defense, anchored by Jonathan Greenard and Harrison Smith, tallied two sacks on Stafford but couldn’t contain the Rams’ rhythm. They limited explosive plays but allowed two red-zone touchdowns. Tackles were led by Ivan Pace Jr. with nine, but coverage lapses on Williams and Allen proved costly.
Key Player Spotlights: Stars Who Shined and Faded
- Jared Verse (Rams OLB): Beyond the sack and TD, Verse’s six pressures disrupted rhythm. His stat line: 1 sack, 4 tackles, 1 fumble recovery TD. Rookie of the game contender.
- Matthew Stafford (Rams QB): Poise under fire—zero INTs, two TDs. His 209 yards came on 7.7 yards per attempt, elite for playoffs.
- Kyren Williams (Rams RB): 16 rushes/76 yards + 3 rec/16 yards/1 TD. Total 92 yards from scrimmage, no fumbles.
- T.J. Hockenson (Vikings TE): Bright spot with 5/64/1 TD, but targeted only five times amid double-teams.
- Sam Darnold (Vikings QB): 245 yards masked inefficiency; 9 sacks and 1 INT doomed drives.
These performances underscore the Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats as a tale of execution.
Turning Points: Moments That Defined the Night
- Verse’s Scoop-and-Score (Q2, 4:35): Trailing 10-3, Darnold’s fumble on a sack by Hoecht led to Verse’s 57-yard return, flipping the script to 17-3.
- Stafford’s Halftime Dagger: The 13-yard TD to Allen with 15 seconds left ballooned the lead to 24-3, deflating Viking spirits.
- Rams’ Third-Down Stands: Holding Minnesota to 6-of-17 forced punts and field goal tries, preserving leads.
- Hockenson’s Late TD: A moral victory, but the failed two-point kept it a blowout.
Post-Game Implications: Rams’ Playoff Pedigree
The Rams (11-7) now eye a Divisional clash with the Eagles, where their defense must replicate this form. For the Vikings (14-4), the abrupt end stings—Darnold’s future in purple is questioned, and Jefferson’s quiet night fuels offseason moves. Yet, this loss highlights growth: a 14-win season ends, but the core returns stronger.
In retrospect, the Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats encapsulate playoff football: stars rise (Verse), veterans deliver (Stafford), and defenses decide fates. The Rams’ blend of youth and experience proved unbreakable.
FAQ
1. What was the final score of the Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings Wild Card game?
The Rams defeated the Vikings 27-9, with scoring plays including two passing TDs, a defensive TD, and two field goals for LA, versus one passing TD and one field goal for Minnesota.
2. Who led the Rams in passing yards during the game?
Matthew Stafford completed 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns, earning a 117.7 passer rating.
3. How many sacks did the Rams record against Sam Darnold?
The Rams tied an NFL playoff record with nine sacks, led by Kobie Turner’s two and contributions from Jared Verse, Byron Young, and others.
4. What was the key defensive play that shifted the game?
Jared Verse’s 57-yard fumble return touchdown in the second quarter extended the Rams’ lead to 17-3, demoralizing the Vikings.
5. Where was the game played, and why?
The game was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, relocated from SoFi Stadium due to wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
Recommended Links
- Wikipedia: 2024–25 NFL Playoffs – Detailed overview of the postseason structure and results.
- Wikipedia: Los Angeles Rams – History and roster insights for the victorious team.
- Medium: 2025 NFL Playoff Breakdown: Rams’ Defensive Surge – Fan analysis of the game’s strategic elements.
