The NFC Wild Card playoff matchup on January 13, 2025, delivered a stunning upset when the Los Angeles Rams dismantled the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 in a game relocated to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, due to devastating wildfires raging in Southern California. For fans dissecting the Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams stats, this contest highlighted the Rams’ defensive ferocity against a Vikings squad that had stormed through the regular season with a 14-3 record. The Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams stats painted a picture of dominance on one side and frustration on the other, with the Rams’ pass rush sacking Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold nine times for a staggering 82 yards lost. As we dive into this full game breakdown, we’ll explore every facet—from scoring plays to individual performances—revealing why this game became a defining moment in the 2025 postseason.
Rams Defense Sack: Rams edge rusher Jared Verse celebrates a sack on Vikings QB Sam Darnold during the Wild Card clash. (Source: therams.com)
Pre-Game Context and Expectations
Heading into the playoffs, the Vikings were the NFC’s top seed, boasting a high-octane offense led by Darnold, who had thrown for over 4,000 yards in the regular season, and a receiving corps featuring elite talents like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Rams, finishing 11-7, scraped into the postseason as the No. 6 seed but carried momentum from a late-season surge under veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. Analysts predicted a shootout, with Vegas oddsmakers favoring Minnesota by 4.5 points. Yet, the Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams stats would tell a different story: the Rams’ revamped defense, anchored by young stars like Jared Verse and Kobie Turner, forced turnovers and disrupted rhythm at every turn.
The venue change added intrigue—State Farm Stadium’s roof provided neutral ground, but the desert heat (even in January) tested both teams’ acclimation. Attendance hit 64,515, a mix of purple-clad Vikings faithful and Rams supporters who traveled from wildfire-evacuated areas. Kickoff at 8:00 PM ET set the stage for a Monday night thriller that instead became a defensive masterclass.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Rams Strike Early (Vikings 0, Rams 10)
The Rams wasted no time asserting control. On their opening drive, Stafford orchestrated a seven-play, 75-yard march capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Kyren Williams, who slipped a tackle in the flat for the score (7-0). Joshua Karty’s extra point was routine, but the real damage came from the Rams’ front seven, who limited the Vikings to just 22 yards on their first possession.
Minnesota’s offense sputtered, managing only a three-and-out. The Rams responded with a field goal drive, marching 42 yards in nine plays before Karty nailed a 34-yarder as the quarter expired (10-0). Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams stats from this period showed the Vikings with zero first downs and a net -5 yards passing, thanks to two sacks that pushed them backward 18 yards. Stafford, meanwhile, was 4-of-5 for 52 yards, slicing through Minnesota’s secondary.
Second Quarter: Defensive Heroics Seal the Halftime Lead (Vikings 3, Rams 24)
The Vikings finally got on the board early in the second, thanks to a 34-yard field goal from Will Reichard after a 10-play drive that chewed 5:22 off the clock (3-10). But the Rams answered ferociously. On Minnesota’s next possession, Darnold fumbled on a blindside hit from Verse, who scooped and scored on a 57-yard return—the longest fumble return TD in Rams playoff history (3-17).
As halftime loomed, Stafford connected with tight end Davis Allen for a 13-yard touchdown on third-and-8, threading the needle past linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (3-24). The Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams stats underscored the disparity: Vikings held the ball for 12:41 but converted just 2-of-9 third downs, while the Rams’ defense notched four sacks and forced two fumbles (one lost). Stafford was surgical, completing 7-of-9 passes for 89 yards and two scores.
Stafford TD Pass: Matthew Stafford fires a touchdown pass to Davis Allen in the second quarter. (Source: Yahoo Sports)
Third Quarter: Vikings Rally Falls Short (Vikings 9, Rams 27)
Trailing by 21, the Vikings mounted a desperate comeback. Darnold hit T.J. Hockenson for a 26-yard touchdown on a seam route, but the two-point conversion failed when Addison dropped a wide-open slant (9-24). This play epitomized Minnesota’s night—flashes of brilliance marred by execution errors.
The Rams responded with poise, driving 45 yards for Karty’s 44-yard field goal, his third of the game (9-27). The quarter’s Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams stats revealed Minnesota’s improved rushing (42 yards on 10 carries) but persistent pass protection woes: three more sacks brought the total to eight. The Rams controlled possession at 8:45, allowing their defense to rest.
Fourth Quarter: Rams Clamp Down (Vikings 9, Rams 27)
With the outcome all but sealed, both teams played conservatively. The Vikings managed 64 net yards but turned it over on downs twice, including a failed fourth-and-12 from midfield. The Rams knelt out the clock after a punt, preserving their lead. Final time of possession: Vikings 32:18, Rams 27:42—a testament to Minnesota’s inefficiency despite holding the ball longer.
Offensive Deep Dive
Passing Game
Sam Darnold’s night was a rollercoaster in the Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams stats. He finished 25-of-40 for 245 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but those nine sacks (82 yards lost) inflated his completion percentage while deflating morale. His QBR of 12.0 was the lowest in a playoff start since 2019, per ESPN metrics. Targets were spread: Jefferson (5 rec, 58 yds), Hockenson (5-64, TD), and Addison (3-29).
Stafford, ever the playoff maestro, went 19-of-27 for 209 yards and two touchdowns with zero picks. His 117.7 passer rating belied the modest yardage, as short, precise throws to Tyler Higbee (5-58) and Puka Nacua (5-44) kept drives alive. Only two sacks for seven yards allowed showed the Vikings’ pass rush (2.0 sacks) couldn’t match the Rams’.
Rushing Attack
Ground games were balanced but unproductive. Aaron Jones led the Vikings with 13 carries for 48 yards (3.7 avg), while Cam Akers added 39 yards on five attempts, including a 26-yard scamper. Total: 22-106 (4.8 avg), but fumbles stalled momentum.
Kyren Williams powered the Rams with 16-76 (4.8 avg), his touchdown reception a highlight. The unit netted 90 yards on 22 carries, efficient but scoreless on the ground.
Receiving Corps
Hockenson’s 26-yard score was Minnesota’s lone highlight (5-64). Jefferson and Addison combined for 8-87, but drops and coverage from Rams corner Cobie Durant limited big plays.
For LA, Higbee’s 58 yards anchored the attack, while Cooper Kupp’s 29-yard grab was a vintage deep ball. Davis Allen’s TD haul (1-13) proved pivotal.
Hockenson TD Catch: Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson hauls in a 26-yard touchdown in the third quarter. (Source: vikings.com)
Defensive Dominance and Special Teams
The Rams’ defense was the game’s MVP, per Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams stats: 9 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, four pass deflections, and one interception (by Quinton Lake). Verse (2 sacks, fumble return TD) and Braden Fiske (1.5 sacks) terrorized, while the unit held Minnesota to 3.8 yards per play on 71 snaps. Total tackles: 73, with 40 solo stops.
Vikings defenders tallied 56 tackles and two sacks (from Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel), but couldn’t corral Stafford. They forced zero turnovers and allowed 5.7 yards per play.
Special teams were quiet: Reichard was 1-of-1 on FGs, Karty 3-of-3. Punt averages hovered around 45 yards, with no return touchdowns. Fumbles proved costly—the Vikings lost one, directly leading to seven points.
Key Performances and What They Mean
Jared Verse’s breakout (2 sacks, 57-yard TD) earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, signaling LA’s youth movement. Stafford’s poise (no INTs in playoffs for the third straight year) reaffirmed his clutch gene. For Minnesota, Hockenson’s return from injury (64 yards) offered hope, but Darnold’s sack total raised questions about his future as the starter.
This loss ended the Vikings’ “magical season” abruptly, exposing vulnerabilities in pass protection (worst in playoffs) and red-zone efficiency (1-of-3). The Rams advanced, riding defensive momentum into the divisional round.
Broader Implications
In the grand Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams stats narrative, this game underscored the unpredictability. The Rams’ 80-yard and fumble return TD combo was historic—the first since 1998. For Minnesota, it was a wake-up call: despite regular-season dominance (No. 1 scoring offense at 29.2 PPG), they faltered under pressure.
As the 2025 season unfolded, this matchup lingered—the Vikings retooled their line in the offseason, while the Rams parlayed the win into a deep run. Analysts now cite these stats as a blueprint for playoff success: pressure the QB, force turnovers, and capitalize.
FAQ
Q: What was the final score in the 2025 Wild Card game between the Vikings and Rams? A: The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-9.
Q: Who led the Rams in rushing during the game? A: Kyren Williams rushed for 76 yards on 16 carries.
Q: How many sacks did the Rams record on Sam Darnold? A: The Rams defense sacked Darnold nine times for a loss of 82 yards.
Q: Why was the game played in Arizona? A: Due to wildfires in Los Angeles, the game was relocated to State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
Q: What was the longest play from scrimmage? A: Cooper Kupp’s 29-yard reception from Matthew Stafford.
