The Rams are heading to the divisional round of the 2025 NFL playoffs after picking up the 27-9 victory over Minnesota. They will advance to take on Philadelphia in the next round of the playoffs, and they’ll be bringing a ferocious pass rush with them.
The Rams dealt with a lot off the field with the L.A. wildfires in the week leading up to Monday night’s relocated game in Arizona. However, Los Angeles played inspired football and had a great defensive game plan to combat the Vikings’ offense. Along with holding Minnesota to only nine points, the Rams defense also sacked quarterback Sam Darnold nine times.
Here’s a deeper look at the record-tying performance by the Los Angeles defense.
MORE VIKINGS-RAMS:
Most sacks in a playoff game
| Rank | Sacks | Team | Opposing QB |
| T1 | 9 | Rams | Sam Darnold |
| T1 | 9 | Titans | Joe Burrow |
| T1 | 9 | Chiefs | Len Dawson |
| T1 | 9 | Browns | Warren Moon |
| T5 | 8 | 49ers | Steve Fuller |
| T5 | 8 | Patriots | Marcus Mariota |
| T5 | 8 | Cowboys | Bart Starr |
| T5 | 8 | Packers | Donovan McNabb |
| T5 | 8 | Commanders | Wade Wilson |
| 10. | 7 | 11-tied | Josh Allen, Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Roger Staubach (twice) and six others |
While Darnold isn’t alone in being sacked the most times in a playoff game, he did still manage to set an infamous record. He lost the most yards due to sacks (82). The previous high was 76 yards by Bart Starr in 1967.
The Rams defense also became the first time since 1970 to record eight sacks and also score a defensive touchdown in a playoff game, per ESPN’s Sarah Barshop.
SN’s PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NFL scores | Full NFL schedule | Updated NFL bracket
Sam Darnold sacks vs. Rams
The @RamsNFL defense racked up NINE sacks to tie an #NFLPlayoffs record! 😤 pic.twitter.com/CADCneZ0Er
— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2025
Darnold was first sacked on the second play of Minnesota’s first drive. Byron Young got him for a 10-yard loss, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
One of the biggest takeaways from the quarterback’s game was that he was often sacked after more than three seconds in the pocket. This means that he initially had time to throw but just didn’t like what he was seeing so held the ball. Per PFF, Darnold’s average time to throw was 3.19 seconds, and he took a sack on 40.9 percent of pressure.
Two of the biggest sacks came in the second quarter. Down just 10-3 with about five minutes left in the half, Darnold was the victim of a strip-sack at the hands of a blitzing Ahkello Witherspoon. Jared Verse scooped up the ball and rumbled 57 yards for a touchdown.
About four minutes later, with the Vikings down 17-3 on the 50-yard line, head coach Kevin O’Connell decided to go for it on 4th-and-2. The play fell apart, and not only did Minnesota fail to convert the attempt, but Darnold was also sacked for an 11-yard loss. This allowed Los Angeles to start on the Minnesota 39, and the Rams scored a touchdown five plays later to go up 24-3 before the break.
MORE 2025 NFL PLAYOFF NEWS:
Read the full article here
