Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams devoted their playoff victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night time to the “people at home” amid the tragic wildfires in Southern California.Â
The NFL made the choice final week to maneuver Monday’s recreation from SoFi Stadium virtually 400 miles away to State Farm Stadium in Arizona because of the ongoing unfold of the fires.
It prompted an impressed efficiency from McVay’s Rams as they sacked Sam Darnold a playoff-record 9 occasions on the best way to a 27-9 win, establishing a Divisional Spherical matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles subsequent week.
“We knew we weren’t just playing for us,” mentioned Stafford. “We were playing for people back home who needed something to watch and enjoy.”
Stafford threw two landing passes to Kyren Williams and Davis Allen on the night time, Defensive Rookie of the Yr favorite Jared Verse scored a 57-yard fumble return landing, Cobie Durant recorded a sack and an interception and Kobie Turner hauled down Darnold twice amid a rampant show.
It served as the newest reminder of the Rams’ unsung postseason risk after producing a decisive five-game profitable streak in December – together with a 44-42 assertion victory over the Buffalo Payments – on the best way to clinching the NFC West division title.
“With everything that’s going on with our community, everything that these guys have gone through, I thought they epitomised and represented the city the right way,” mentioned head coach McVay.
“You talk about sports offering a platform for people to offer a little bit of temporary relief, and I thought the way our team competed tonight was what it looked like.
“To remain related, to remain collectively, simply the struggle and resilience and all of the various things which might be nice traits this crew has actually constructed via the challenges that they’ve gone via over the course of this season. I am actually pleased with them. I am excited to have the ability to transfer ahead.”
Rams gamers wore shirts and hats printed with LAFD (Los Angeles Hearth Division) throughout pre-game warm-ups and might be auctioning off gear in help of American Purple Cross.
“We had the city on our back this week,” mentioned defensive lineman Turner. “I’m glad we were able to pick up a dub. McVay has been talking to us all week about the fact how we are built for this.
“The whole lot that we have gone via from this season up till now has ready us for this precise second.”
The Rams will face the Eagles within the Divisional Spherical at 8pm Sunday, dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL.
