❌

Normal view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.
Today β€” 13 January 2025Sport News

Rams overcome chaotic week to rout Vikings in playoff game

13 January 2025 at 20:24

The Los Angeles Rams played with heavy hearts on Monday night.

With the Los Angeles Fire Department emblazoned across the chests of coaches and wildfires raging in Southern California back home, the Rams powered through to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The game was moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., because of the fires. However, the fans showed up in full force and were treated to a big victory from the boys in blue and gold.

It really started on defense. The Rams sacked Darnold six times in the first half and three more times in the second half for a total of nine. Jared Verse also recovered a Darnold fumble and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford didn’t need to do too much. He was 19-of-27 for 209 yards and two touchdowns. One touchdown was to Kyren Williams and the other was to Davis Allen.

The Super Bowl champion quarterback completed passes to eight different receivers.

ROGER GOODELL TALKS NFL'S DECISION TO RELOCATE RAMS-VIKINGS PLAYOFF GAME AMID LA WILDFIRES

The defense reverted Darnold back to the player he looked like earlier in his career. He was late to get passes off and looked indecisive for most of the game.

Despite the great season, he ended the playoff game 25-of-40 with 245 passing yards, a touchdown pass and one interception. His lone score went to tight end T.J Hockenson, who led the team with five catches for 64 yards.

Vikings star Justin Jefferson had five catches for 58 yards.

Los Angeles is back in the divisional round for the fourth time under head coach Sean McVay. The Rams will now hit the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. The two teams will square off on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

The Vikings can start their offseason and figure what they’re going to eventually do with Darnold. The veteran quarterback was brought in as an emergency in the offseason after J.J. McCarthy suffered a torn Achilles in training camp.

Now, Minnesota will have to make a decision on whether to give the keys to the Cadillac to McCarthy or keep Darnold around for at least one more season.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Packers' Keisean Nixon disputes early fumble in wild-card round game, argues Eagles should have been penalized

13 January 2025 at 20:13

Sunday's wild-card game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers got off to a surprising start. 

Referees ruled that Packers defensive back Keisean Nixon fumbled the opening kickoff. The Eagles recovered the ball and quickly took advantage of the short field. On Philadelphia's third offensive play of the game, quarterback Jalen Hurts threw an 11 yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson.

Philly never trailed in the playoff game and eventually punched their ticket to the divisional round after defeating Green Bay 22-10. After the game, Nixon argued that the game officials β€” not him β€” were the ones who dropped the metaphorical ball.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Nixon asserted that he was the one who recovered the fumble in the pile-up, and he was stripped of the pigskin after what should have been considered a dead ball. The two-time All-Pro also claimed the fumble should have been negated because Eagles players committed an illegal hit which ultimately created the fumble.

EAGLES' AJ BROWN READS BOOK ON SIDELINE DURING TEAM'S PLAYOFF WIN

"I got the ball back for sure and then it should’ve been targeting, helmet to helmet," Nixon said. "I’ve never been hit that hard."

Replay videos appeared to show an initial recovery by Nixon as he was being contacted by players from the opposing team. 

The league office could review the play in question and issue discipline β€” such as a fine β€” at a later date should it determine that an illegal hit occurred.

On Monday, Nixon also expressed his lack of interest in returning kicks going forward. The 27-year-old instead wants to focus on being a cornerback on a full-time basis.

"I want to be CB1," Nixon said as players emptied their lockers for the offseason. "CB1 is not doing kick returns. That's just what it is."  Nixon posted career-highs in pass breakups and forced fumbles this season.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw three interceptions during Sunday's loss. Meanwhile, Hurts finished the game with two touchdown passes. 

Philadelphia awaits the winner of Monday night's game between the Los Angeles Rams. The wild-card round matchup was relocated to Glendale, Arizona, due to the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

❌
❌