Rams stun Vikings in playoff rescheduled due to LA fires

GLENDALE, Ariz. – As quarterback Matthew Stafford ran onto the field before the Los Angeles Rams’ 27-9 playoff victory over the Minnesota Vikings at State Farm Stadium, he heard the roar of the traveling fans.

It was an NFC wild-card round game first scheduled for SoFi Stadium on Monday night before wildfires in Southern California forced the move to Arizona. And while the game wasn’t at their home stadium, Stafford said the team was playing for a city that was going through an extremely difficult time.

“There was definitely every excuse in the book to come out here and be lazy and woe be me and all that, but we knew we weren’t playing just for us,” Stafford said. “(We played) for people back home who needed something to see and enjoy, and I’m glad we were able to give it to them.”

Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp said the team understood “there was a really cool opportunity to come out here and be a positive, be something that LA could hold on to, a moment of joy and energy that takes people away from their lives craziness and things that are going on outside of us right now.”

“There was a responsibility I think guys felt to be able to put their best foot forward,” Kupp said. “You walk out through the tunnel and that weight hits you front and center. These people are here and the energy they brought, the atmosphere they created, you wanted to make the most of that.”

The ability to play with focus despite the tough week, Stafford said, comes from coach Sean McVay’s leadership. McVay said he thought the way the team played Monday — “to stay connected, to stay together, just to fight, the spirit, the resilience” — “the concept” and “represented the city the right way.”

“You talk about sports offering a platform for people to come together, offering a little bit of temporary relief, and I thought the way our team competed tonight was what it looked like,” McVay said.

Despite the game taking place in Arizona, the Rams tried to make it feel like a home game, with their end zones painted in blue and yellow, their graphics on the scoreboards, and a giant blue sign that read “THANK YOU FIRE EMERGENCY AND FIRST RESPONDERS.” The Rams also unfurled a large banner reading “LA TOGETHER” during a pregame performance.

Los Angeles provided charter buses to and from SoFi Stadium for the game, which ended up with about 30 buses and 1,500 season ticket members.

“Unbelievable support that we got from the fans today,” Stafford said. “Can’t say enough about it.”

The Rams, who won their first playoff game since winning Super Bowl LVI in the 2021 season, travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles on Sunday at 15 ET in the NFC Divisional Round.