Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams (NFL Wild Card Playoffs)
1ST QUARTER
15:00 ON THE CLOCK: The Los Angeles Rams start with the ball as QB Matthew Stafford throws to Wide Receiver Paku Nacua with a huge gain to get within the 45 yard line in the opening play of the game. A 2nd & 9 finds Tight End Tyler Higby with a great catch on the run to put the Rams in an ideal position for their opening drive. 1st & GOAL for the Rams with Stafford coming away from the pocket and opening the space in front of him for Kyron Williams to run into, wide open in the endzone as he catches for the touchdown. Los Angeles leads 7-0.
8:57 ON THE CLOCK: Minnesota looks in trouble on a 3rd & 21 on their own 19 yard line. QB Sam Darnold throws to Justin Jefferson who is swarmed by Rams defenders who stop him well short of the first down.
8:10 ON THE CLOCK: The Rams have the ball back with an almost identical play to the opening play with Stafford finding Demarcus Robinson just past the 45 yard line. Stafford continues his great start to the game with Higby running with the ball for consecutive first downs. A heart stopping moment on 2nd & 3 as Williams runs and gets the first down and more before the ball comes loose. Fortunately the Rams recovered the ball thanks to the quick reactions of Nacua. The Rams ran again with Higby on 3rd & 16 short of the first down but well within field goal range. Kicker Joshua Karty makes no mistake from 34 yards to make it 10-0 to LA.
2:56 ON THE CLOCK: The Vikings need a play on 3rd & 1, which they do as Darnold finds Wide Receiver Jordan Addison who keeps himself inbounds for the first down with a crucial catch. Good protection for the Vikings QB as commentary mentions to find the safe hands of Justin Jefferson just inside the 25 yard line.
2ND QUARTER
15:00 ON THE CLOCK: Sam Darnold is under pressure to get the ball out on 3rd down but finds Jefferson again who makes a gain but is not able to make the first down. Vikings Kicker Will Reichard splits the sticks from 34 yards, the score is 3-10 in favour of the Rams.
10:20 ON THE CLOCK: The Vikings need to make another play as they are back to 3rd & 8. Darnold tries to find Addison again but it is picked off by Cobie Durant for the turnover.
9:02 ON THE CLOCK: Even Though LA gets the ball back they are unable to make it count as a 3rd & 15 comes well short of the first down. They are forced to punt it back to the Vikings, which must be frustrating but not crucial as they still have a touchdown lead.
6:59 ON THE CLOCK: The Vikings make good gains on the drive with catches and runs from TJ Hockenson and Cam Akers. However, on 3rd & 7, good pressure by the defense forces another fumble from Darnold. Knocked out by Cornerback Witherspoon then recovered for a pick 6 by Linebacker Jared Verse. The score is 3-17 Rams.
1:32 ON THE CLOCK: Another must make play even this early in the game for the Vikings on a 4th & 2. Sam Darnold is sacked again by Kobie Turner. Darnold takes far too long on the ball in this game as the Rams get the ball again.
0:45 ON THE CLOCK: Matthew Stafford with the quick release to Nacua who pushes and bullies his way to a first down inside the 15 yard line. On the next play Stafford again with the quick release from the pocket as he finds a wide open Davis Allen who catches and jumps into the endzone for the TD. The Rams in prime position on home turf at the half.
HALF TIME - MINNESOTA VIKINGS 3 - 24 LOS ANGELES RAMS
3RD QUARTER
14:57 ON THE CLOCK: The start to the second half gives the ball back to Minnesota, Sam Darnold again leaves to throw at the last second to throw and is almost picked off again but a great catch by Addison avoids that happening. However, on 3rd & 5 Darnold is unable to find Jalen Nailor, giving the ball back to the Rams.
11:33 ON THE CLOCK: Stafford continues his great performance finding Hunter Long for the first down. 3rd & 9 for the Rams as Stafford throws towards Cooper Kupp who makes an incredible spin and catch as the crowd roars for the completion. However, on 3rd & 5 good pressure from the Vikings defense gets a well needed sack by Van Ginkel. A 44 yard field goal attempt converted by Karty puts 24 points between the Rams and Vikings.
6:29 ON THE CLOCK: Third down for the Vikings as Darnold finds Nailor for the first down on the 42 yard line. The same combo happens on the next play as Darnold goes out of the pocket to find Nialor for consecutive first downs. On the next play the Vikings QB finds TJ Hockenson on the run just after the 20 yard line as he runs with the ball jumping into the endzone for a much needed touchdown for the Vikings. A first touchdown comes within 10 minutes of the 3rd quarter. Their try for a 2 point conversion however is unsuccessful with Jefferson stopped immediately by Quentin Lake. Vikings still unable to get into double digits with the score at 9-27 to LA.
4TH QUARTER
15:00 ON THE CLOCK: Sam Darnold with the run fro his own 10 yard line to get a first down and more despite pressure from the LA defense. A 3rd & 6 is completed for a first down as Hockenson catches again making it just past the 40 yard line. Despite the progress made Darnold is sacked again as he succumbs to the Rams defensive pressure.
12:30 ON THE CLOCK ONWARDS: The rest of the 4th quarters filled by plays of each team cancelling each other out. With no real gains being made by either team for another score to be made. This fits right into the Rams game plan as they run the clock down and move on to the Divisional Round to take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
FINAL SCORE - MINNESOTA VIKINGS 9 - 27 LOS ANGELES RAMS
