GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) 鈥� Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Rams overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings, sacking Sam Darnold an NFL playoff record-tying nine times to win 27-9 Monday night in an NFC wild-card game that was moved out of Southern California because of devastating wildfires.
Rookie Jared Verse for the Rams (11-7), who looked comfortable in their adopted home of State Farm Stadium from the first snap. Los Angeles drove for a touchdown on the opening drive and built a 10-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The 鈥� nearly 400 miles east of the Rams' home in Inglewood, Calif. 鈥� because of the that continue to burn in the Los Angeles area. LA's next game will be on the East Coast against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Verse's touchdown with 4:35 left in the second quarter gave the Rams a 17-3 lead. Darnold was under pressure from blitzing cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon when he lost the ball. The 24-year-old Verse scooped it up and ran down the field untouched, somersaulting into the end zone.
The play sent the Rams' faithful into a frenzy 鈥� NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said some 45,000 fans made the trek from California for the game, and the 63,400-seat stadium appeared full.
It was the lowlight of a brutal first half for Darnold, who was making his first NFL playoff appearance. He was sacked five times before the break and threw an interception when Cobie Durant picked off a pass intended for Jordan Addison.
Minnesota (14-4) had a chance to earn the NFC's top seed in the final game of the regular season, but Darnold struggled in a loss at Detroit. His poor finish raises questions about his long-term future with the Vikings after he played this season on a one-year deal.
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AP NFL coverage:
David Brandt, The Associated Press
