Winners & Losers: Rams show on primetime why they are LA’s team

Rams win for the City of Los Angeles after moving game to Glendale, AZ

Think the Los Angeles Rams had something to play for on Monday night in the opening round of the playoffs?

The Rams won for the city of Los Angeles are fires forced the NFL to move the game to Glendale, AZ, and the team dismantled the Minnesota Vikings on primetime television. Not only do the Vikings find themselves on the losing end of 27-9 effort, but they now must go back to the drawing board and ask themselves whether Sam Darnold is their quarterback of the future.

This was a total team win by LA. There were key individual contributions on offense, and nearly everyone got involved in an incredibly defensive outing.

These are the players that helped the Rams beat the Vikings and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs:

Winners

Rams in the battle for LA

Justin Herbert made a feckless effort in the Los Angeles Chargers’ wildcard game against the Houston Texans amidst the fires in LA. Herbert threw four interceptions and is now 0-2 in the playoffs to start his career.

Meanwhile, the Rams started the game focused and emotional. This meant something to them. From Michael Hoecht throwing up the “LA” sign after a sack to Jared Verse diving into the end zone on a defensive touchdown, this game was a nice distraction from the disaster in the Rams’ home city. This was one to remember.

The Rams are LA’s football team.

Jared Verse, OLB

The box score will reflect a quiet night from rookie phenom Jared Verse with just a single tackle; however, his bull rush was relentless and he lived in the backfield. Verse’s fumble recovery on a strip sack by Ahkello Witherspoon was a turning point in the game, and the Rams never really looked back after that point.

This strong effort came against the team that picked a different EDGE rusher, Dallas Turner, just two selections before the Rams took Verse. Think the Vikings regret that decision now?

Cobie Durant, CB

Not only did Durant pick off a Darnold pass intended for Jordan Addison, but he also sacked the Vikings’ signal caller. Durant and Witherspoon became the first pair of corners to record a sack in the same postseason game.

It was notable that Durant seemed to be playing ahead of Darious Williams, and the Rams now have a three-headed monster at corner. This allows them flexibility to mix and match based on personnel and down and distances. It’s a good problem to have.

Tyler Higbee, TE

LA’s veteran tight end is still working his way back from a significant knee injury he suffered in last year’s wildcard playoff game. This was just his fourth game back, including a Week 18 effort where the Rams rested starters against the Seattle Seahawks.

Higbee suffered a chest injury in the first half and didn’t appear in the final two quarters. Still, he finished this game catching all five of his targets for 58 yards (long of 23). This was the best performance by a Rams TE all season, and Higbee didn’t even play the full game.

It’s nice to have the big man back, and wishing him a speedy recovery before next week’s game versus the Philadelphia Eagles.

Byron Young, OLB

Verse’s performance almost outshines Young, but we can’t forget this game by LA’s second year EDGE rusher. Young started out with a bang, recording a tackle for loss on the opening play and then getting a clean-up sack on Darnold as he and Verse collapsed the pocket.

It was a fitting outing after Young got the game-winning sack on Darnold in the last matchup between these two teams. The Rams will need Young’s athleticism next week versus the Eagles.

Quentin Lake, DB

Lake doesn’t deserve all the credit, but it was an impressive effort to hold superstar receiver Justin Jefferson to just five catches on eight targets for 58 yards. The third-year safety is a defensive captain and signal caller in the secondary.

Lake was as active as any on defense. He played sticky coverage and finished with a team-leading nine tackles.

Josh Karty, K

Karty made two kicks with a long of 44. He also made all three extra point attempts.

LA’s rookie kicker has now made 15 consecutive field goals. He’s on fire.

Ethan Evans, P

Three punts downed within the 20-yard line.

The Vikings came close to blocking a punt, but somehow Evans squeaked the ball threw to avoid a costly play early on. This is the icing on the cake of a strong second year by LA’s punter.

Losers

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