The Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats have a storied rivalry in the NFL, with their matchups often delivering thrilling moments and standout performances. Their most recent clash in the Wild Card round of the 2024 NFL playoffs on January 13, 2025, was no exception. The Rams dominated the Vikings with a final score of 27-9, showcasing a masterclass in defensive pressure and offensive efficiency. In this article, we’ll dive into the player stats from this game, breaking down key performances, notable moments, and what the numbers tell us about this exciting playoff showdown. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious about the game, this easy-to-read guide will walk you through the stats in a way anyone can understand.
Game Overview: Rams Dominate in Arizona
Due to wildfires in Southern California, the game was moved from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, creating a neutral-site atmosphere. The Rams, with a 10-7 regular-season record, faced off against the 14-3 Vikings, who were coming off a strong season but had stumbled in their final regular-season game against the Detroit Lions. Despite the Vikings’ impressive record, the Rams’ defense stole the show, sacking Vikings FIGURE 1 | Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold nine times—a playoff record—and limiting Minnesota’s high-powered offense to just nine points. Let’s take a closer look at the player stats that defined this game.
Quarterback Performances: Stafford Shines, Darnold Struggles
Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)
Matthew Stafford was in top form for the Rams, delivering a performance that showcased his veteran poise and playoff experience. Stafford completed 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards, throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating of 144.7 against the Vikings’ aggressive blitz was a season-high, as he faced pressure on nearly 70% of his dropbacks but remained unfazed. Stafford’s key moments included:
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A 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Kyren Williams on the opening drive.
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A 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Davis Allen just before halftime, giving the Rams a commanding 24-3 lead.
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A 27-yard completion to Puka Nacua to start the game, setting the tone for the Rams’ fast-paced offense.
Stafford’s ability to read Minnesota’s blitzes and get the ball out quickly was crucial, as he completed his first 10 passes, putting the Vikings’ defense on their heels early. His performance was a reminder of why he’s one of the NFL’s most clutch quarterbacks in high-stakes games.
Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings)
On the other side, Sam Darnold had a tough night against the Rams’ relentless pass rush. Darnold completed 18 of 30 passes for 191 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked nine times, losing a combined 82 yards, which tied an NFL playoff record. His struggles were evident in the first half, where he was sacked six times while holding the ball for an average of 4.52 seconds per dropback. Key moments for Darnold included:
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A 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson in the third quarter, the Vikings’ only score of the game.
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A costly fumble in the second quarter, recovered by Rams linebacker Jared Verse for a 57-yard touchdown return.
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An interception by Rams cornerback Cobie Durant in the second quarter, which halted a potential Vikings drive.
Darnold’s performance capped a rough two-game stretch to end the season, as his passer rating dropped to 66.4 in the playoff loss, a stark contrast to his 106.4 rating during the regular season. The Rams’ defense made it difficult for him to find a rhythm, and the absence of star left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who was injured late in the first half, didn’t help.
Key Offensive Players: Standout Performances
Los Angeles Rams
The return of wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua gave the Rams’ offense a significant boost. Here’s how they performed:
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Cooper Kupp: The veteran receiver caught a touchdown pass and finished with 5 receptions for 68 yards. His 27-yard catch on a third-and-9 play late in the game helped the Rams manage the clock and seal the victory. Kupp’s presence opened up the field for other receivers, as the Vikings couldn’t focus solely on him.
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Puka Nacua: Back from injury, Nacua had a strong showing with 7 receptions for 106 yards. His 27-yard catch on the opening drive set up the Rams’ first touchdown, and his ability to stretch the field kept Minnesota’s defense honest.
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Kyren Williams: The Rams’ running back was a dual threat, rushing for 97 yards on 23 carries and catching a 5-yard touchdown pass. Williams’ 1,299 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns during the regular season made him a focal point, and he delivered in the clutch against the Vikings.
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Davis Allen: The tight end caught a 13-yard touchdown pass just before halftime, giving the Rams a 24-3 lead. Allen finished with 2 receptions for 20 yards, proving to be a reliable target in the red zone.
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Demarcus Robinson: Robinson contributed 3 receptions for 45 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown in the third quarter of the regular-season matchup on October 24, 2024, which the Rams won 30-20. His speed added another dimension to the Rams’ passing attack.
The Rams’ offense racked up 279 passing yards and 97 rushing yards, with their quick-strike opening drive—a 7-play, 70-yard touchdown march—setting the tone for the game. Their ability to convert on fourth-and-1 early in the game, thanks to Stafford’s play-action fake, was a pivotal moment.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ offense struggled to keep up, partly due to the Rams’ dominant pass rush and the loss of Darrisaw. Here are the key contributors:
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Justin Jefferson: The star wide receiver had 6 receptions for 84 yards, including a 14-yard catch that set up a field goal. Despite the Vikings’ struggles, Jefferson remained a focal point, though the Rams’ secondary limited his big-play potential.
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T.J. Hockenson: The tight end scored the Vikings’ lone touchdown on a 26-yard catch in the third quarter. He finished with 4 receptions for 48 yards, providing a spark in an otherwise quiet offensive performance.
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Aaron Jones: The running back was held to 64 yards on 15 carries, a far cry from his 1,138 rushing yards during the regular season. The Rams’ defense stuffed Jones early, including a 4-yard loss on a key play late in the game.
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Josh Oliver: Oliver caught an early touchdown pass in the October 24 regular-season game but was limited to 1 reception for 8 yards in the playoff matchup.
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Trent Sherfield: Sherfield scored a touchdown in the regular-season game but was held to 2 receptions for 12 yards in the playoffs, as the Rams’ defense focused on shutting down Minnesota’s secondary receivers.
The Vikings’ offense managed only 191 passing yards and 64 rushing yards, with their lone touchdown coming late in the third quarter. Penalties, including an offside call on Josh Bullard that led to a Rams’ first down, and self-inflicted mistakes like dropped passes (notably by Jalen Nailor) hurt their chances.
Defensive Dominance: The Rams’ Sack Party
The Rams’ defense was the story of the game, tying an NFL playoff record with nine sacks on Sam Darnold. Eight different players recorded at least 0.5 sacks, a feat not seen since 1982. Here’s a breakdown of the defensive stars:
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Kobie Turner: The defensive end led the way with 2 sacks, setting the tone for the Rams’ relentless pass rush. His pressure in the first half disrupted Minnesota’s game plan early.
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Jared Verse: The rookie linebacker had a game-changing moment with a 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the second quarter, giving the Rams a 17-3 lead. Verse recorded 0.5 sacks and 7 pressures, reaching a top speed of 19.88 mph on his touchdown return—the fastest by a 260-plus-pound player in the last seven seasons. His performance against backup tackle David Quessenberry in the second half was particularly dominant.
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Byron Young: Young contributed 1 sack, including a safety in the regular-season matchup that sealed the Rams’ 30-20 win. In the playoff game, he added 0.5 sacks and was a constant presence in the backfield.
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Cobie Durant: The cornerback intercepted a pass from Darnold in the second quarter, halting a Vikings drive. His coverage skills helped limit Justin Jefferson’s impact.
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Akhello Witherspoon: Witherspoon’s sack on Darnold led to the fumble recovered by Verse for a touchdown, a turning point in the game.
The Rams’ defense generated 26 total pressures, tied for their season-high, and their six first-half sacks were the most in a playoff game since 1988. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s creative pressure schemes, including simulated blitzes, kept Darnold guessing all night. The Rams’ plus-eight turnover margin since their bye week highlights their opportunistic play.
Vikings’ Defense
The Vikings’ defense, which ranked in the top five in takeaways and sacks during the regular season, couldn’t keep up with the Rams’ offensive firepower. Key performers included:
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Jonathan Greenard: Greenard hit Stafford early in the second quarter, forcing a fumble that was initially ruled a Vikings touchdown but overturned on review as an incomplete pass. Greenard finished with 1 sack but couldn’t disrupt Stafford consistently.
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Byron Murphy: Murphy intercepted a pass from Stafford in the regular-season game but was unable to generate turnovers in the playoffs. The Rams’ quick passing game neutralized his impact.
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Harrison Phillips: Phillips recorded 0.5 sacks but struggled to stop the Rams’ rushing attack, as Kyren Williams racked up 97 yards.
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Josh Bullard: Bullard’s offside penalty on a fourth-and-1 play gave the Rams a first down, leading to their opening touchdown. The Vikings’ defense allowed 24 points in the first half, a far cry from their regular-season average of 22.6 points per game.
The Vikings’ defense failed to generate consistent pressure on Stafford, who faced blitzes on four of his first six dropbacks but completed all six passes for 64 yards, including a touchdown. Their inability to stop the Rams’ early momentum set the stage for the blowout.
Special Teams: Kickers and Punters
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Joshua Karty (Rams): The Rams’ kicker was perfect, nailing a 34-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 44-yard field goal in the third, extending the lead to 27-3. His extra points were good on all three touchdowns.
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Will Reichard (Vikings): Reichard made a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter, but the Vikings’ offense couldn’t get him more opportunities. His lone miss was a failed two-point conversion attempt after Hockenson’s touchdown.
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Punting: Both teams’ punters played a role, with the Rams’ punt late in the game pinning the Vikings at their own 3-yard line with 1:46 left, effectively ending their comeback hopes.
Key Moments That Shaped the Game
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Rams’ Opening Drive: Stafford went 6-for-6 for 64 yards, capping a 70-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Williams. This set the tone for the Rams’ dominance.
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Verse’s Fumble Return: Darnold’s fumble, caused by Witherspoon’s sack, was scooped up by Verse for a 57-yard touchdown, giving the Rams a 17-3 lead in the second quarter.
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Darrisaw’s Injury: The Vikings’ star left tackle was injured late in the first half, forcing backup David Quessenberry into action. Quessenberry allowed three pressures and 0.5 sacks to Verse in the second half, crippling Minnesota’s offense.
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Stafford’s TD to Allen: A 13-yard touchdown pass to Allen just before halftime gave the Rams a 24-3 lead, effectively putting the game out of reach.
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Vikings’ Late Struggles: Down 27-9, the Vikings failed to convert on fourth-and-11 twice in the fourth quarter, with Darnold’s incomplete passes to Jefferson sealing their fate.
Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats Comparison
Here’s a side-by-side look at the key team stats:
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Category |
Rams |
Vikings |
|---|---|---|
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Passing Yards |
209 | 191 |
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Rushing Yards |
97 | 64 |
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Total Offense |
306 | 255 |
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Sacks Allowed |
1 | 9 |
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Turnovers |
0 | 2 |
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Penalties |
4-35 | 5-40 |
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Time of Possession |
32:15 | 27:45 |
The Rams’ efficiency on offense and dominance on defense were clear in the stats, with their nine sacks and zero turnovers proving to be the difference.
What the Stats Tell Us
The player stats paint a clear picture of why the Rams won. Stafford’s precision passing and ability to handle the blitz outshined Darnold’s struggles under pressure. The Rams’ defense, led by Turner, Verse, and Young, overwhelmed Minnesota’s offensive line, especially after Darrisaw’s injury. The return of Kupp and Nacua gave the Rams a balanced attack, while the Vikings relied heavily on Jefferson and Hockenson but couldn’t sustain drives. The Rams’ early scoring drives and ability to capitalize on turnovers created a lead that Minnesota couldn’t overcome, despite their 14-3 regular-season record.
Why This Game Matters
This playoff matchup was a tale of two teams heading in different directions. The Rams, buoyed by the return of key players and a hot streak (10 wins in their last 13 games), showed they could compete with the NFC’s best. Their defense, one of the youngest in the league, stepped up in a big way, tying a playoff record for sacks. For the Vikings, the loss marked a disappointing end to a magical 14-win season. Questions now loom about Darnold’s future and how Minnesota will adjust in the offseason, especially with significant cap space in 2025.
Looking Ahead: Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats
With the win, the Rams advanced to the Divisional Round to face the Philadelphia Eagles on January 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. The matchup will pit the Rams’ dynamic pass rush against the Eagles’ stout offensive line, with Stafford, Kupp, and Nacua looking to keep the offense rolling. For the Vikings, the focus shifts to the offseason, where they’ll need to address their offensive line and quarterback situation to build on their 2024 success.
Final Thoughts
The Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats Wild Card game was a showcase of defensive dominance and offensive efficiency by the Rams. Matthew Stafford’s veteran leadership, Jared Verse’s breakout performance, and the return of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua were too much for the Vikings to handle. Sam Darnold’s nine sacks and the loss of Christian Darrisaw highlighted Minnesota’s struggles, while the Rams’ complementary football—strong offense, dominant defense, and solid special teams—propelled them to a 27-9 victory. The stats tell the story of a one-sided affair, but they also highlight the potential of a young Rams team and the challenges ahead for a talented Vikings squad.