Rams crush Vikings in the playoffs

Competing away from home because of the fires raging in their city, the Los Angeles Rams swept the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 on Monday in the closer of the wild card round of the American football league (NFL) playoffs.

With this resounding win the Rams, Super Bowl champions in 2022, will face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in the National Conference divisional round.

The Los Angeles team felt at home at State Farm Stadium in Glendale (Arizona), where the NFL moved the game due to the fierce fires that have ravaged several areas of Los Angeles (California) for a week and have claimed the lives of at least 24 people and damaged more than 12,000 properties.

Thousands of Rams fans traveled by bus the 600 kilometers separating the Arizona Cardinals' home field from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the originally scheduled venue for the clash.

"We knew what we were playing for today, for the people in Los Angeles who are having a tough time right now," Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said.

"We're glad we played like that tonight so they have something they can be happy about," he added.

Stafford started his recital in a first offensive series in which he executed a five-yard touchdown pass to Kyren Williams, another standout performer in the game with 76 rushing yards.

The Rams starred in an overwhelming first half, which they closed with a 24-3 partial lead, and Stafford finished with a record 209 yards and two passing touchdowns.

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, on the other hand, experienced a nightmare as he was caught nine times, tying the NFL single-game playoff record.

Darnold, making his postseason debut as a starter, completed only 25 of 40 passes for 245 yards and one interception.

His star receiver, Justin Jefferson, was also inconspicuous as he was held to 58 yards on five carries.