Vikings vs. Rams live updates: Wild-card round wraps in Arizona

Monday night’s wild-card matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams will look a bit different than expected, after the NFL moved the game from SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium because of the Los Angeles wildfires. The Rams will still likely have a hometown crowd behind them, but it’ll be an uphill battle against these Vikings, who can lay claim to being the top wild-card team in NFL history — they’re the first wild-card team in NFL history with 14 wins, and just the second to have won 13 games.

Despite not winning the NFC North, history may be on the Vikings’ side — in 1999, the 13-3 Tennessee Titans were a wild-card team, and after the Music City Miracle (surely Kevin Dyson’s favorite of the two legendary plays in those playoffs that he’s remembered for), they went on to Super Bowl XXXIV.

But back in Week 8, the Los Angeles Rams topped the Vikings 30-20, just as they were turning their season around after a 1-4 start, plagued by injuries on offense. That loss was the Vikings’ second of the year, and they went on to rip off nine straight wins. The Rams got hot after that, too, finishing the year 10-7 and on top of the NFC West, with their full complement of top skill players healthy for the finishing kick and postseason.

How to watch Vikings vs. Rams NFC wild-card gameTime: 8 p.m. ET
Location: State Farm Stadium | Glendale, Ariz.
Channel: ESPN, ABC, ESPN2 (ManningCast)
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo

Live17 updates

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 2:51 AM GMT+1

Vikings settle for field goal after another sack of Sam DarnoldSam Darnold took his second sack in two possessions to push the Vikings into second-and-17 in Rams territory. The Vikings salvaged a 34-yard field goal by Will Reichard to cut their deficit to 10-3 early in the second quarter.

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 2:42 AM GMT+1

Rams add a field goal for 10-0 leadThe Rams’ second drive was short-circuited by a 15-yard late-hit penalty near the red zone that set them up with second-and-16. They came up short of the end zone, but scored on a 34-yard field goal by Joshua Karty to extend their lead to 10-0.

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 2:39 AM GMT+1

Matthew Stafford just thew his first incompletion after a 10-for-10 start

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 2:31 AM GMT+1

Rough start for Sam DarnoldVikings quarterback Sam Darnold had his worst game with Minnesota in the biggest game of his career last week against the Lions. The first playoff drive of his career features a second-down sack and a 3-and-out punt.

The Rams get the ball back with a 7-0 lead after one possession for each team.

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 2:27 AM GMT+1

Rams score TD after Vikings bite on fourth-down hard countThe Rams are on the board first with a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Kyren Williams for a 7-0 lead.

The touchdown was set up by a Vikings penalty on fourth down on the previous play. Vikings defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard jumped into the neutral zone on a fourth-and-1 hard count, giving the Rams a first down.

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 2:22 AM GMT+1

Crowd forces Rams timeoutThe Rams had to burn a timeout in the red zone to get a play call correct. The home-field advantage they would have enjoyed in Los Angeles is no more. It’s roughly a 50-50 crowd with a loud Vikings contingent in the stands.

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 2:19 AM GMT+1

A hot start for the Rams, who get a 27-yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua on the opening play from scrimmage.

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 2:17 AM GMT+1

Rams will have the ball firstThe Vikings won the coin toss and deferred. They’ll kick off first.

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 2:14 AM GMT+1

Kickoff’s almost underway following a pregame tribute to Los Angeles from former Rams lineman Andrew Whitworth.

“We will rebuild LA. Hand in hand, together. For as long as it takes and whatever it takes. We will build it together. Los Angeles, I love you. We love you and we are with you.” pic.twitter.com/5EfllG4ESt

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 14, 2025

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 2:07 AM GMT+1

More reports of a strong Vikings fan contingent Will the Vikings have the edge in the crowd tonight?

Hard to tell with certainty behind glass press box windows, but sounded like more cheers than boos for the Vikings as they came out of the tunnel.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) January 14, 2025

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 2:02 AM GMT+1

Quarterback Matthew Stafford is among the Rams players sporting gear in support of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 1:45 AM GMT+1

Neutral wild-card crowd?While technically a Rams home game, the move to Arizona has opened opportunities for Vikings fans to scoop up tickets and make the trek to Glendale. Early returns show a strong Vikings contingent in the stands.

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 1:37 AM GMT+1

Rams greats show support for LAFDRams greats including Aaron Donald and Andrew Whitworth are in the building while showing their support for the Los Angeles Fire Department:

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 1:22 AM GMT+1

While the seats remain Cardinal red, the Cardinals did their best to make the NFC West-rival Rams feel at home at State Farm Stadium for what was supposed to be a Rams home game.

The turf and the signage around the field Monday night would be at home in Inglewood.

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 1:15 AM GMT+1

Rams fans arrive by the busload from Los AngelesRams fans got the party started early on a bus ride from Los Angeles to Arizona. Originally scheduled as a home game in Los Angeles, Monday’s wild-card game against the Vikings was moved to Arizona because of the wildfires devastating Los Angeles. Plenty of Rams fans were ready to make the trip.

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 1:03 AM GMT+1

Emmanuel Forbes Jr. among Rams inactives Former Commanders first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. played two games including a Week 18 start after joining the Rams late in the season. But he won’t play Monday night. He’s among the Rams’ inactives for Monday’s wild-card game.

Rams inactives:

QB Stetson Bennett
WR Tyler Johnson
CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
OLB Brennan Jackson
OL Justin Dedich
OL Joe Noteboom

Tue, January 14, 2025 at 12:58 AM GMT+1

Daniel Jones not active for VikingsDaniel Jones will not be available for his Vikings debut against the Rams in the event that Minnesota needs to go to a backup quarterback. Jones is inactive for Monday’s wild-card game after being elevated to the 53-man roster last week.