Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford dedicated the playoff win over the Minnesota Vikings to the people of LA after 45,000 fans made it to Arizona for the rescheduled match.
After a frightening and unsettling week which saw wildfires decimate large portions of the metropolitan area around Los Angeles, The Rams produced a dominant defensive performance, sacking Sam Darnold an NFL playoff record-tying nine times to win 27-9.
“Our defense,” Stafford said, “just went crazy.
“We knew what we were playing for, that was for the people of Los Angeles who are struggling right now.
This one was special. 🫂 pic.twitter.com/BdNpZ5EyZF
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 14, 2025
“We’re living it every day. It was a tough week for us, a bunch of moving parts. It’s been a whirlwind, but to come out here and play like we did, in all phases, I’m really proud of this group.”
The game was moved to the Phoenix suburbs, nearly 400 miles east of the Rams’ home in Inglewood, California, in part because public safety resources were needed to address the wildfires. LA’s next game will be on the East Coast against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said some 45,000 Rams fans made the trek from California for the game, and the 63,400-seat stadium appeared full.
Stafford threw two touchdown passes and the Rams (11-7) looked comfortable from the first snap. LA drove for a touchdown on the opening drive and built a 10-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
“I thought they epitomized and represented the city the right way,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “You talk about sports offering a platform for people to come together and offer a little temporary relief — I thought the way our team competed tonight was what that looked like.”
“You’ve got to play to a certain standard,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “And we didn’t do that.”
