Rams vs. Vikings live score, updates, highlights from NFL wild-card playoff game

Wild-card weekend comes to a close in 2025 with a rather intriguing matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams. Coming off their second NFC West title in the past four years, the Rams will have the privilege of hosting a game in the opening round of the playoffs.

Oddly enough, Rams’ head coach Sean McVay essentially opted to take on the 14-3 Vikings after resting his starters in Week 18 and sliding to the No. 4 seed.

Regardless of last week’s decisions, McVay certainly has to like his chances against any of the NFC’s playoff teams with Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams leading the way. Coupled with a strong defense, highlighted by standout rookie Jared Verse, the Rams are capable of contending with the class of the NFC.

STREAM: Watch Rams vs. Vikings live with Fubo (free trial)

On the other side of the ball, the Vikings are coming off a 31-9 defeat against the Lions, their most troubling performance of the year. After struggling for all four quarters last week, Vikings fans would like to see Sam Darnold find his groove rather quickly in this one and lead Minnesota to its first playoff win since 2019.

Even with the recent struggles for Darnold, don’t discount the Vikings on Monday Night. This is still a 14-win football team with a ferocious defense.  This is a team that can win football games without their offense being on their A-game thanks to what Brian Flores can conjure up for his defense.

Outside of the play on the field, it’s worth noting that that this game will take place in neither Los Angles nor Minnesota. Amidst the devastating wildfires that are sweeping through Southern California, the NFL has opted to move this game away from SoFi Stadium. This game will instead take place in Phoenix, Arizona at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.

For those who may not be able to catch this wild-card matchup, The Sporting News has you covered with all of the key moments and highlights.

Rams vs. Vikings live score

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Rams vs. Vikings highlights from 2025 NFL wild-card playoff game

(All times Eastern)

Rams 27, Vikings 9

10:21 p.m.  TOUCHDOWN — The Vikings finally find the endzone! T.J. Hockenson makes a tremendous snag and rumbles into the endzone for six. They go for two on the play, but can’t convert. Jefferson makes the catch before being tackled short of the goal line on the two-point conversion attempt.

10:19 p.m.  — After a defensive holding and another snag from Nailor, the Vikings find themselves on the LA 26-yard line. They need to convert here

10:18 p.m.  — Once again, the Vikings are able to creep into Los Angeles territory after Darnold hooks up with Jalen Nailor. Let’s see if they can finally come away with some points. 

10:17 p.m.  — Darnold looks for his go-to guy, Justin Jefferson, deep downfield. There’s plenty of contact on the play, but no foul is called.

Rams 27, Vikings 3

10:12 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Minnesota defense limits the damage by picking up a sack on third down. Karty comes out for his second FGA of the game and knocks it through the pipes.

10:11 p.m. RULING UPHELD — The officials ruled that Williams’ shin was down prior to the fumble. The play stands as called.

10:07 p.m. CHALLENGE — Kyren Williams coughs up the ball on a first down carry, but the referees rule him down before losing possession. It was close, so Kevin O’Connell rolls the dice and challenges the ruling on the field.

10:04 p.m.  — It’s Cooper Kupp converting on third down this time. It’s his first target of the night and he convert for 29 yards on a spectacular adjustment.

10:02 p.m.  — It appeared that the Minnesota defense was going to be able to force another three-and-out from the Rams. Puka Nacua put an end to those hopes, picking up five yards on 3rd & 5.

10:00 p.m.  — Rams’ tight end has officially been ruled out with a chest injury.

9:58 p.m.  — Darnold misses Josh Naylor who was wide open on third down. He’s in disbelief after his miscue that forces the Vikings to punt the ball away.

9:57 p.m.  — The Minnesota offense is showing some signs of life. A few nice gains from Jordan Addison and Aaron Jones have them on the 50-yard line.

9:55 p.m.  — Sam Darnold comes back onto the field to begin the second half. They’ll need to find some rhythm on this drive to get back into this game.

End of first half: Rams 24, Vikings 3

9:38 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — After a big-man play from Puka Nacua to push the Rams into the red zone, Stafford finds tight end Davis Allen for a walk-in touchdown!

9:37 p.m.  — Kyren Williams has the Rams offense moving in the two-minute drill. He picks up a quick first down after two strong carries.

9:33 p.m. TURNOVER ON DOWNS — A short gain on third down brings up 4th & 2 from the 50-yard line. Darnold drops back to pass and goes down for the sixth time tonight! The Rams take over on downs.

9:28 p.m.  — Sam Darnold is really struggling with his pocket presence tonight. He holds on to the ball for too long and takes his fifth sack of the night. Luckily, he;s able to connect with Jefferson on third and long to move the sticks. Minnesota is approaching the 50-yard line as we hit the two-minute warning.

Rams 17, Vikings 3

9:24 p.m. SCOOP AND SCORE — After nearly forcing a fumble two plays before, the Rams defense actually knocks it out this time! Akhello Witherspoon gets to Darnold and forces the fumble. Jared Verse scoops it up and takes it to the house!

9:23 p.m. CALL OVERTURNED  — Oliver’s knee was indeed down. The Vikings maintain possession.

9:20 p.m. FUMBLE — Darnold hooks up with a tight end yet again. He finds Josh Oliver for a short gain but he fumbles during the tackle. The officials are reviewing the play to see if Oliver’s knee was down before the ball was dislodged.

9:19 p.m.  — The tight ends are at it again. It’s T.J. Hockenson this time who beats his man to pick up a first down for Minnesota.

9:18 p.m.  — After getting going early in the game with five early receptions, Tyler Higbee is doubtful to return with a chest injury.

9:14 p.m.  — It’s another quick three-and-out for the Rams. A hold on first down throws the drive all out of whack and they never recovered. The punting unit comes onto the field on 4th & 10.

9:07 p.m. INTERCEPTION — The Vikings can’t capitalize on the free first down. Darnold stares down Jordan Addison on third down and it’s picked off by Cobie Durant! The Rams take over with just over 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter

9:05 p.m.  — Wow, the Vikings get bailed out! The Rams commit a roughing the kicker penalty on the punt and it’s an automatic first down for Minnesota. That’s a huge break.

9:04 p.m.  — It’s another sack! The Rams have brought down Darnold three times tonight which have consistently killed drives for the Vikings.

9:02 p.m.  — Aaron Jones finally get the Minnesota ground game going. Two gains for 20 total yards sets the Vikings up on the cusp Los Angeles territory.

8:59 p.m.  — The Minnesota defense forces two quick incompletions, bringing up fourth down. It’s a 19-second drive for the Rams as they punt the ball back to the Vikings.

8:57 p.m. CALL OVERTURNED  — The officials determined that Stafford was attempting a pass during the sack. This brings up 2nd & 10 for the Rams after an incomplete pass.

8:55 p.m. TOUCHDOWN  — Stafford gets wrapped up for a sack but he fumbles the ball! Blake Cashman picks it up and strolls into the endzone. The play is under further review to see if Stafford was attempting to pass the ball.

Rams 10, Vikings 3

8:50 p.m.   FIELD GOAL — A couple of short gains on second and third down leave the Vikings short of the first down marker. Will Reichard comes onto the field to attempt a kick. His 34-yard make brings the Vikings within seven

End of first quarter: Rams 10, Vikings 0

8:47 p.m.  — Sam Darnold goes down for the second time in two drives! A sack from Kobie Turner knocks the Vikings back to the Rams’ 31 yard-line and brings up 2nd & 17

8:46 p.m.  — The Vikings answer with their own downfield shot. Justin Jefferson has some space on the sidelines and Darnold finds him for 22 yards.

8:44 p.m.  — A couple of short gains settles down the Minnesota offense. Jordan Addison plucks the ball out of the air on 3rnd & 1 to pick up the first down, their first of the game.

Rams 10, Vikings 0

8:39 p.m.  FIELD GOAL — Los Angeles can’t recover and a short pass to Tyler Higbee brings up fourth down. Thankfully, the penalty didn’t knock them out of field goal range and Joshua Karty is able to trot out for a 34-yard kick. He knocks it in to make this a two-score game.

8:37 p.m.  — The Rams get caught behind schedule after an unnecessary roughness penalty. The officials move the ball 15 yards back and it’s 2nd & 16 from the Minnesota 27-yard line.

8:33 p.m.  — The play action game has been unstoppable for the Rams tonight. Stafford opens the drive with a 23 yard pickup to DeMarcus Robinson.

8:31 p.m.  — Sam Darnold finds Justin Jefferson on third down but he’s well short of the first down marker. It’s a quick three-and-out for Minnesota.

8:30 p.m.  — It doesn’t look like the Vikings are going to be able to answer the Rams’ opening score. A sack on second down set up third and forever.

Rams 7, Vikings 0

8:24 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Kyren Williams slips through the defensive line and Stafford fins him yet again to cap off the opening series. It’s a surgical drive that puts the Rams up 7-0.

8:21 p.m.  — After a couple of nice plays to start the drive, a six-yard reception brings up 4th & 1for the Rams. Matthew Stafford is able to get the Vikings defensive line to jump and it’s a free first down.

8:19 p.m.  — Matthew Stafford is dialed in to start the game! He drops one in to Tyler Higbee and it’s another 20-plus-yard gain for the Rams.

8:18 p.m.  — The Los Angeles offense gets things going early. It’s none other than Puka Nacua for 27 yards! He’s wide open to get the drive started.

8:16 p.m.  — The Vikings have won the toss and deferred to the second half. The Los Angles offense will take the field to open the game.

8:06 p.m.  — The “Ramily” has arrived and they’re ready to watch Matthew Stafford and company take the field. Let’s play some football!

7:57p.m.  — As kickoff approaches, a touching rendition of “Fight Song” rings through State Farm Stadium to pay tribute to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Jason Kelce is also donning an “LAFD” hat to show his support.

7:45 p.m.  — The Vikings’ “Celebration Coordinator” Cam Bynum says he has a special celebration planned tonight. Look out for it if the Minnesota defense comes aways with a turnover!

6:55 p.m.  — Heading into the game, there was some speculation that Daniel Jones would be activated to the 53-man roster and serve as the QB2 behind Sam Darnold. It appears that Kevin O’Connell will be sticking with Nick Mullens as Jones is inactive this evening. Jones will be the emergency third QB against the Rams.

6:30 p.m.  — It should be especially interesting to see how these two teams fare in their second meeting of the year. Back in Week 8, Puka Nacua exploded for 106 yards on seven receptions despite playing limited snaps. He played a key role in the Rams’ 30-20 victory on that Thursday night matchup. Vikings’ defensive coordinator Brian Flores should have an interesting plan in place to keep Nacua in check this time around.

6:05 p.m.  — This game is taking place over 1,600 miles from Minneapolis, but that’s not stopping the Vikings’ fans from showing out. They’ve descended upon Phoenix and there should be plenty of purple in the stands tonight.

5:45 p.m.  — Typically reserved for Cardinals games, State Farm Stadium will play home to the Rams tonight. The stadium is covered in blue and yellow, including a banner thanking the first responders who have played a role in containing the wildfires in southern California.

Rams vs. Vikings start time

• Date: Monday, Jan. 13
• Time: 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT

Monday’s NFC wild-card battle between the Vikings and Rams will kick off from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. ET.

What channel is Rams vs. Vikings on today?

• TV Channel: ESPN, ABC, ESPN2 (ManningCast)
• Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo

Vikings vs. Rams will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2 on Monday night. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will be on the call for the game with Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge as the sideline reporters.

Additionally, the game will be streamed on ESPN+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial.

MORE 2025 NFL PLAYOFF NEWS:

NFL playoff schedule 2025

Wild-card round

Saturday, Jan. 11

Sunday, Jan. 12

Monday, Jan. 13

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 18

Sunday, Jan. 19

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 26

Super Bowl 59

Sunday, Feb. 9