NFL Monday Night Wild Card Review: Rams Vs. Vikings
Summarized Version First, Followed By the Complete Breakdown After.
Summary:
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-9, showcasing a strong team performance led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who completed 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. The Rams' defense was also impressive, limiting the Vikings to just nine points, with Jared Verse and Coby Durant making key plays, including a sack-fumble and an interception.
The Vikings, featuring playmakers like Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, struggled offensively, with quarterback Sam Darnold finishing 25-for-40 with 245 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Darnold faced pressure from the Rams' defense and needs to adjust his playing style to be more effective.
Despite the Vikings’ strong record (14-3), questions arose about their playoff capabilities, especially following Darnold's underwhelming postseason debut. The Rams will next face the Eagles in the Divisional Round, while the Vikings reflect on a history of playoff challenges and their need to reassess their roster and strategy moving forward.
### Vikings vs. Rams
What slump? Matthew Stafford dispelled any notion of him nearing the end of his career by starting the game with an impressive 10-for-10 passing, totaling two touchdowns, and going 4-for-6 on passes of 15+ air yards. The Los Angeles Rams delivered a complete team performance while playing in Arizona, winning 27-9 against the Minnesota Vikings. With stars like 5,000-yard passer Matthew Stafford, Triple Crown winner Cooper Kupp, and rising Record Setting Star Puka Nacua, the Rams were bolstered by the contributions of players like Coby Durant, Jared Verse, and Quentin Lake From The Lesser heralded Side Of Their Team. The defense made a statement by holding the Vikings to just nine points, with eight players recording at least half a sack. Jared Verse's sack-fumble before halftime and Coby Durant's interception resulted in a significant -13.98 EPA swing against the Vikings.
The Vikings have star playmakers such as Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison, but they struggled to make impactful plays in this game. Quarterback Sam Darnold had difficulty against the rush, and the offensive line could not keep him upright. Creating separation and breaking tackles proved to be a challenge. Jordan Addison stood out with some excellent attempts at tough catches, finishing the game with three receptions for 29 yards but also had some of the best “almost catches” of the season. Just two weeks ago, the media declared Darnold's return to the Vikings a no-brainer, but his recent performances have cast doubt on that idea. Darnold will need to retool his playing style, particularly by focusing on quicker plays rather than holding the ball. His defense did not provide any extra opportunities, which contributed to the outcome as the Vikings' drives stalled when crossing midfield.
Darnold finished the game 25-for-40 with 245 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while the Vikings generated a -0.89 EPA on third downs. The playmakers failed to generate significant yards after the catch (YAC), as many receivers struggled with separation. Only Johnny Mundt consistently averaged a different amount of separation on routes. T.J. Hockenson caught all five of his targets for 64 yards, while Justin Jefferson was 5-for-8 for 58 yards. If the Vikings choose to re-sign Darnold, his price may decrease, and a contract filled with incentives seems appropriate. In comparison, Matthew Stafford completed 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards, with two touchdowns and a passer rating of 117.7. Rams running back Kyren Williams rushed 16 times for 76 yards. Tight end Tyler Higbee left the game with a chest injury but had a solid performance with five catches for 58 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per route run. The Rams will next face the Eagles on the road in the Divisional Round.
The last time the Vikings participated in the playoffs, they lost as the higher-seeded Wild Card team to Daniel Jones and the Giants, led by Kirk Cousins. That season, the Vikings spent much of their time on "fraud watch," with many speculating whether their success was due to luck or grit. Against the Giants, the latter proved to be true, adding another chapter to the Vikings' tumultuous playoff history, which includes thrilling moments like the "Minnesota Miracle" and the overtime upset against the Saints in 2020, but ultimately ended with a loss to the Giants.
The 2024 Vikings, boasting a 14-3 record, do not carry the same fraudulent qualities as the 2022 squad, but Sam Darnold's playoff debut—several years after being a top-five selection in 2018—raises questions about whether the roster is strong enough. His impressive performances under head coach Kevin O’Connell have not been enough to avoid substantial losses to teams like the Rams and Lions, with blowout defeats to contenders being a telltale sign of playoff fraud, according to Steven Ruiz of The Ringer. Both the Vikings' defense and Matthew Stafford entered this matchup struggling, but Stafford came out firing, starting 6-for-6 for 64 yards, including a 27-yard pass to Puka Nacua, a 23-yarder to Tyler Higbee, and a crucial fourth-down conversion that led to a five-yard touchdown pass to Kyren Williams. Much of the offensive playbook employed by Ben Johnson, the Lions' offensive coordinator, borrows from Sean McVay's playbook with the Rams. After a Week 18 blowout, the Rams knew exactly how to attack the Vikings' defense.
After a three-and-out drive from the Vikings gained zero yards and resulted in a ten-yard sack on Darnold, Stafford quickly returned to work. In three plays, he advanced the Rams by 40 yards, starting with a 23-yard throw to DeMarcus Robinson. The Rams reached the red zone but had to settle for a field goal after a roughness penalty pushed them out. This established a solid 10-0 lead in the first quarter. After a shaky start, Darnold began finding his rhythm, getting the Vikings into Rams territory with significant plays from his wide receiver Jordan Addison, converting a 3rd-and-1 with a seven-yard gain and a big 22-yard catch.
