INGLEWOOD, CA — In a commanding NFC Wild Card game, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-10, with a performance that highlighted their defensive strength and offensive efficiency.
Game Summary
The Rams set the pace in the first quarter, with Matthew Stafford connecting with Van Jefferson for a 3-yard touchdown, followed by a 35-yard field goal by Brett Maher. The Vikings struggled to match the Rams’ early intensity, trailing 10-0.
In the second quarter, Maher extended the Rams’ lead with a 48-yard field goal. Stafford and Jefferson teamed up again for a 16-yard touchdown, pushing the Rams ahead 20-0. The Vikings managed a 29-yard field goal by Randy Bullock, but the gap widened to 20-3 at halftime.
The third quarter saw the Vikings add a touchdown with Kirk Cousins finding K.J. Osborn for a 1-yard pass, narrowing the score to 20-10. However, the Rams’ defense remained resilient, limiting the Vikings’ opportunities.
The fourth quarter was marked by Cousins’ struggles, including two interceptions, one by Ahkello Witherspoon in the first quarter and a crucial pick by John Johnson III in the end zone late in the fourth quarter. Maher’s 37-yard field goal sealed the Rams’ victory at 23-10.
Statistical Highlights
- Matthew Stafford completed 10 of 16 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns, marking only the second time this season he has thrown zero interceptions. His last interception-free game was in Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Van Jefferson caught 3 passes for 40 yards and two touchdowns.
- Brett Maher was pivotal, contributing three field goals, including a 48-yarder.
- Kirk Cousins threw for 310 yards but was hindered by two interceptions.
- The Vikings’ running game was notably absent, with Alexander Mattison gaining zero yards on six attempts.
- The Vikings’ zero rush yards is a new playoff league record.
- K.J. Osborn led the Vikings’ receiving with 72 yards and a touchdown.
Player Quotes
Sean McVay, Rams’ head coach, commented, “Our team showed great discipline and execution. Stafford’s clean game and our defense’s performance were key to our victory.”
Kirk Cousins, Vikings’ quarterback, reflected, “The Rams played a great defensive game. Our inability to establish a running game and my interceptions were significant factors in our loss.”
Looking Ahead
The Rams’ victory sets them up for a challenging matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional Round. The Vikings, despite a strong season, end their playoff run, reflecting on a game that highlighted the importance of minimizing turnovers.
This matchup, marked by strategic plays and defensive prowess, sets the stage for an exciting continuation of the 2K Online Franchise playoffs.
TEAM STATS |
|
|
| Offensive Yards Gained |
286 | 306 |
| Total Yards Gained |
300 | 394 |
| Penalties |
0 | 2 |
| Penalty yards |
0 | 20 |
| Total first downs |
15 | 20 |
| 3rd down efficiency |
4 - 9 , 44.4% | 3 - 8 , 37.5% |
| 4th down effiency |
0 - 2 , 0.0% | 0 - 0 , 0.0% |
| 2 point conversion |
0 - 0 , 0.0% | 0 - 0 , 0.0% |
| Trips to red zone |
3 | 4 |
| Red zone touchdowns |
1 | 2 |
| Red zone field goals |
1 | 2 |
| Red zone efficiency |
66.7% | 100.0% |
| Defensive sacks |
1 | 2 |
| Defensive Interceptions |
0 | 2 |
| Defensive forced fumbles |
0 | 0 |
| Defensive F.F. recovered |
0 | 0 |
Stats
Passing
Minnesota Vikings
Player |
qbr |
com/att |
pct |
yds |
lng |
td |
int |
sck |
| K.Cousins | 72.8 | 27 / 43 | 62.8 | 310 | 33 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Rushing
Minnesota Vikings
Player |
att |
yds |
lng |
td |
avg |
big |
yac |
| J.Addison | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | T.Hockenson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | B.Powell | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | A.Mattison | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 8 |
Receiving
Minnesota Vikings
Player |
rec |
yds |
avg |
td |
yac |
lng |
drop |
| K.Osborn | 6 | 72 | 12.0 | 1 | 23 | 30 | 0 | J.Addison | 3 | 68 | 22.7 | 0 | 16 | 33 | 3 | A.Mattison | 9 | 63 | 7.0 | 0 | 49 | 16 | 0 | T.Hockenson | 6 | 57 | 9.5 | 0 | 31 | 17 | 0 | B.Powell | 3 | 50 | 16.7 | 0 | 15 | 31 | 2 |
Defense
Minnesota Vikings
Player |
tckl |
sck |
pdef |
int |
int yds |
td |
ff |
ffr |
| C.Bynum | 3 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | M.Davidson | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | H.Smith | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | B.Asamoah II | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | B.Murphy Jr | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N.Suh | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | L.Cine | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | K.Fuller | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | D.Hunter | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | J.Ward | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | J.Hicks | 5 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking
Minnesota Vikings
Player |
fg |
fg pct |
lng |
xp |
xp pct |
50+ |
50+ pct |
| R.Bullock | 1 / 1 | 100.0 | 29 | 1 / 1 | 100.0 | 0 / 0 | 0.0 | R.Wright | 0 / 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0.0 | 0 / 0 | 0.0 |
Punting
Minnesota Vikings
Player |
punts |
yds |
avg |
tb |
in20 |
lng |
blk |
| R.Wright | 3 | 124 | 30.0 | 0 | 1 | 51 | 0 |
