The Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats have a storied rivalry that dates back decades, with their matchups often delivering thrilling moments and standout performances. Their most recent clash on January 13, 2025, during the NFC Wild Card round of the 2024 NFL playoffs, was no exception. The Rams dominated the Vikings with a 27-9 victory, showcasing a relentless defense and a sharp offensive game plan. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the player stats from this game, breaking down the performances of key players from both teams in a way that’s easy to understand for fans of all ages. We’ll also look at their earlier regular-season meeting on October 24, 2024, to provide context and highlight trends. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just curious about the numbers, this guide will walk you through the stats and stories behind the game.
Game Overview: Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats January 13, 2025 – NFC Wild Card Playoff
The Wild Card matchup, played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, due to wildfires in Los Angeles, was a defining moment for the Rams. The Vikings, with an impressive 14-3 regular-season record, entered as the No. 5 seed, while the Rams, at 10-7, were the No. 4 seed. Despite Minnesota’s strong season, the Rams’ defense stole the show, sacking Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold nine times—a tie for an NFL playoff record. The Rams’ offense, led by veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, was efficient, capitalizing on key moments to secure a convincing win. Let’s break down the player stats and performances that shaped this game.
Minnesota Vikings: Key Player Stats
Sam Darnold (Quarterback)
Sam Darnold, the Vikings’ starting quarterback, faced intense pressure from the Rams’ defense throughout the game. His stats reflect the challenges he encountered:
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Completions/Attempts: 25/40 (62.5% completion rate)
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Passing Yards: 245 yards
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Touchdowns: 1 (a 26-yard pass to T.J. Hockenson in the third quarter)
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Interceptions: 1 (picked off by Cobie Durant in the second quarter)
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Sacks: 9 (losing 82 yards)
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Passer Rating: 66.4
Darnold struggled to find his rhythm, especially in the first half, where he was sacked six times. A critical moment came in the second quarter when he fumbled after a sack by Akhello Witherspoon, leading to a 57-yard touchdown return by rookie linebacker Jared Verse. Despite connecting with T.J. Hockenson for a touchdown, Darnold’s performance was marred by the relentless pressure and a failed two-point conversion attempt. His average time to throw on sacked plays was 4.52 seconds, indicating he held the ball too long, which the Rams exploited.
Justin Jefferson (Wide Receiver)
Justin Jefferson, one of the NFL’s premier wide receivers, was a bright spot for the Vikings despite the loss:
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Receptions: 8
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Receiving Yards: 115 yards
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Average Yards per Catch: 14.4
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Longest Reception: Not specified, but he had a deep pass in the red zone
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Touchdowns: 0
Jefferson’s 115 yards were a testament to his ability to make plays, even against a tough Rams secondary. He moved past Jake Reed for the fifth-most receiving yards in Vikings history with 6,545 career yards. However, the Vikings couldn’t fully capitalize on his production due to their offensive struggles and poor field position.
Aaron Jones Sr. (Running Back)
The Vikings’ running game was stifled, and Aaron Jones had a modest outing:
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Carries: 19
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Rushing Yards: 58 yards
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Average Yards per Carry: 3.1
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Longest Run: Not specified
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Touchdowns: 0
Jones faced a tough Rams defensive front, losing a yard on his first carry and struggling to find running lanes. A dropped short pass that could have resulted in a first down further limited Minnesota’s offensive momentum.
T.J. Hockenson (Tight End)
Hockenson made an impact with a touchdown catch:
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Receptions: Not fully detailed, but at least 1
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Receiving Yards: 26 yards (on touchdown catch)
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Touchdowns: 1
His spinning catch-and-run in the third quarter was the Vikings’ only touchdown, but the failed two-point conversion kept them trailing 27-9.
Defensive Notes
The Vikings’ defense, usually a strength under coordinator Brian Flores, couldn’t contain the Rams’ early offensive surge. They allowed 24 points in the first half and failed to generate significant pressure on Stafford, who was blitzed on four of his first six dropbacks but completed all his initial passes. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore did a commendable job limiting Rams wideout Puka Nacua to 44 yards on five catches, but the defense couldn’t stop the Rams’ opening 70-yard touchdown drive or their late first-half scoring.
Los Angeles Rams: Key Player Stats
Matthew Stafford (Quarterback)
Matthew Stafford delivered a masterful performance, especially against the Vikings’ aggressive blitzing defense:
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Completions/Attempts: 19/27 (70.4% completion rate)
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Passing Yards: 209 yards
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Touchdowns: 2 (a 5-yard pass to Kyren Williams and a 13-yard pass to Davis Allen)
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Interceptions: 0
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Passer Rating: 144.7 against the blitz
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Sacks: 0
Stafford started the game red-hot, completing his first 10 passes, including a 27-yard gain to Puka Nacua on the opening play. His ability to read and counter Minnesota’s blitzes set the tone, leading to a 70-yard touchdown drive to open the game. A controversial play in the second quarter, where a fumble was overturned to an incomplete pass, preserved a Rams possession and kept their momentum. Stafford’s poise under pressure was a key factor in the Rams’ dominance.
Kyren Williams (Running Back)
Kyren Williams contributed both as a rusher and a receiver:
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Carries: 23
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Rushing Yards: 97 yards
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Average Yards per Carry: 4.2
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Touchdowns: 1 (5-yard receiving touchdown)
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Receiving Yards: 5 yards (on touchdown catch)
Williams’ touchdown catch on the opening drive gave the Rams an early 7-0 lead, and his consistent rushing helped control the game’s pace.
Puka Nacua (Wide Receiver)
Puka Nacua, back from injury, made an immediate impact:
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Receptions: 7
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Receiving Yards: 106 yards (regular season game) / 44 yards (playoff game)
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Average Yards per Catch: 15.1 (regular season) / 8.8 (playoff)
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Longest Reception: 27 yards (playoff game)
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Touchdowns: 0
Nacua’s 27-yard catch on the first play of the playoff game set up the Rams’ opening touchdown. While Gilmore limited his yardage in the playoff matchup, Nacua’s presence stretched the Vikings’ defense.
Cooper Kupp (Wide Receiver)
Cooper Kupp, also returning from injury, added a spark:
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Receptions: Not fully detailed, but at least 1 touchdown catch in the regular season game
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Receiving Yards: Not specified for playoff game
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Touchdowns: 1 (regular season game)
Kupp’s return alongside Nacua gave Stafford reliable targets, boosting the Rams’ offensive confidence.
Jared Verse (Outside Linebacker)
Rookie Jared Verse was a defensive standout:
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Sacks: 1.5 (regular season) / 1 (playoff, including fumble recovery)
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Tackles for Loss: 0.5 (regular season)
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Fumble Recovery: 1 (57-yard touchdown return in playoff game)
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Pressures: 7 (playoff game, tied for highest in Wild Card round)
Verse’s 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown, capped with a front-flip into the end zone, was a highlight of the game. Reaching a top speed of 19.88 mph, it was the fastest by a 260-plus-pound ball carrier in the last seven seasons.
Kobie Turner (Defensive End)
Kobie Turner led the Rams’ pass rush:
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Sacks: 2
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Pressures: Not specified, but part of the 26 total pressures by the Rams
Turner’s two sacks were part of the Rams’ record-tying nine-sack performance, with six coming in the first half. His pressure on Darnold disrupted Minnesota’s offensive rhythm.
Other Defensive Contributors
The Rams’ defense was a collective force, with eight players recording at least 0.5 sacks, a feat not seen since 1982. Akhello Witherspoon’s sack forced the fumble that Verse returned for a touchdown, and Cobie Durant’s interception halted a Vikings drive. The defense’s 26 pressures tied for the second-most by any team in a game that season, showcasing coordinator Chris Shula’s aggressive and creative game plan.
Regular Season Game: Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats October 24, 2024 – Rams 30, Vikings 20
To provide context, let’s look at the teams’ earlier meeting in Week 8 at SoFi Stadium, where the Rams won 30-20. This game saw both teams’ offenses shine early before defenses took over.
Vikings Key Stats
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Sam Darnold: 240 yards, 2 TDs (to Josh Oliver and Trent Sherfield), 128.8 passer rating
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Justin Jefferson: 8 receptions, 115 yards
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Aaron Jones Sr.: 58 yards on 19 carries
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Team Offense: Scored touchdowns on first two drives but settled for two field goals in the final three quarters
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Defense: Allowed 386 yards, struggled after losing left tackle Christian Darrisaw to a knee injury
Rams Key Stats
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Matthew Stafford: 279 yards, 4 TDs (to Demarcus Robinson [2], Cooper Kupp, Kyren Williams), 1 INT, 124.5 passer rating
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Kyren Williams: 97 yards on 23 carries, 1 receiving TD
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Puka Nacua: 7 receptions, 106 yards
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Cooper Kupp: 1 TD reception
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Jared Verse: 1.5 sacks, 3 pressures in the second half against backup tackle David Quessenberry
The regular-season game was closer, with the Vikings’ offense showing early promise. However, Darrisaw’s injury late in the first half allowed the Rams’ pass rush to exploit backup tackle David Quessenberry, who allowed six pressures on 14 pass-block snaps.
Comparing the Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats
The playoff game was a more decisive Rams victory, driven by their defense’s dominance. The Vikings scored only 9 points compared to 20 in the regular season, largely due to the nine sacks and two turnovers forced in the playoff matchup. Stafford was more efficient in the playoff game, avoiding interceptions and beating the blitz, while Darnold’s performance dropped significantly from his regular-season outing. The return of Kupp and Nacua in both games bolstered the Rams’ offense, but their defensive adjustments under Chris Shula in the playoff game were the difference-maker.
Key Takeaways for Fans Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats
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Rams’ Defensive Prowess: Tying an NFL playoff record with nine sacks and generating 26 pressures showed the Rams’ young defense, led by Verse and Turner, is a force to be reckoned with.
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Stafford’s Mastery: His ability to dissect the Vikings’ blitz-heavy defense, especially in the playoff game, highlights why he’s a Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
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Vikings’ Struggles: Despite a stellar regular season, Minnesota’s inability to protect Darnold and capitalize on Jefferson’s production exposed weaknesses in big moments.
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Injury Impact: The loss of Christian Darrisaw in the regular-season game and the Vikings’ offensive line struggles in the playoff game were critical factors.
Why This Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats Matters
For Vikings fans, the 27-9 loss was a bitter end to a 14-win season, raising questions about Darnold’s future and the team’s playoff execution. For Rams fans, the victory was a testament to resilience, especially amidst the wildfires that forced the game’s relocation. The Rams’ performance, dedicated to their city and first responders, propelled them to the Divisional Round against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Final Thoughts Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats
The Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats Wild Card game on January 13, 2025, was a showcase of defensive dominance and offensive precision by the Rams, contrasted by the Vikings’ struggles under pressure. Matthew Stafford’s poise, Jared Verse’s explosive plays, and the Rams’ record-tying sack party defined the game, while Justin Jefferson’s efforts couldn’t overcome Sam Darnold’s challenges. Whether you’re analyzing stats for fantasy football, cheering for your team, or just love the game, these numbers tell a story of a Rams team rising to the occasion and a Vikings squad falling short of their potential. Stay tuned for more NFL action as the playoffs continue!