Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams dedicated their playoff win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night to the “people at home” amid the tragic wildfires in Southern California.
The NFL made the decision last week to move Monday’s game from SoFi Stadium nearly 400 miles away to State Farm Stadium in Arizona due to the continuing spread of fires.
It led to an inspired performance from McVay’s Rams as they sacked Sam Darnold a playoff-record nine times en route to a 27-9 victory, setting up a divisional-round matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles next week.
“We knew we weren’t just playing for us,” Stafford said. “We were playing for people back home who needed something to watch and enjoy.”
Stafford threw two touchdown passes to Kyren Williams and Davis Allen on the night, rookie defensive back of the year Jared Fiers scored a 57-yard fumble return, Kobe Durant recorded a sack and an interception, and Cobe Turner pulled Darnold down twice amid an outbreak. an offer.
It served as the latest reminder of the Rams’ unknown postseason threat after producing a decisive five-game winning streak in December — including a 44-42 overall win over the Buffalo Bills — en route to clinch the NFC West division title.
“With everything that’s going on with our community, and everything these guys have been through, I thought they embodied and represented the city the right way,” Head Coach McVay said.
“You talk about sports providing a platform for people to provide a little bit of temporary relief, and I thought the way our team competed tonight is what it looked like.
“To stay connected, to stay together, just fighting and being resilient and all the different things that are great traits that this team has really built through the challenges they’ve gone through over the course of this season. I’m really proud of that.” “I’m excited to be able to move forward.”
Rams players wore LAFD (Los Angeles Fire Department) jerseys and hats during pregame warmups and their gear will be auctioned off in aid of the American Red Cross.
“The city had our back this week,” defensive lineman Turner said. “I’m glad we were able to get a dub. McVay has been talking to us all week about the reality of how we were purpose-built.
“Everything we’ve been through from this season until now has prepared us for this very moment.”
The Rams will face the Eagles in the divisional round at 8 p.m. Sunday live Sky Sports NFL.
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