The night began with a statement drive from Los Angeles, which scored in seven plays and 70 yards on its first possession of the game. After a quick three-and-out by Minnesota, the Rams took a two-point lead with a field goal on their next drive.

The Vikings responded with a field goal of their own early in the second quarter, but things didn’t get much better from there. Minnesota’s final two drives of the first half ultimately cost them the game.

After the Vikings’ defense forced a three-pointer following a Darnold interception, he was sacked and Jared Verse recovered the ball and ran it back for a 57-yard touchdown. Then, on Minnesota’s next possession, Darnold was sacked from midfield on 4th-and-2. Los Angeles took advantage of the short field and scored a touchdown five plays later.

The Vikings would finally score a touchdown in the third quarter — after a Rams field goal — but it was too little, too late. The teams exchanged punts for much of the final 20 minutes of the game.

Minnesota’s season is now over after just one round of the playoffs. The Vikings went 14-3 in the regular season but started the postseason on the road as the Detroit Lions won the NFC North Division.

Darnold, who has started every game for Minnesota this year but has struggled in the last two, is currently on track to become a free agent.

Los Angeles, on the other hand, will now really go on the road in the Divisional Round. The Rams’ next opponent is the Philadelphia Eagles, who won their Wild Card match against the Green Bay Packers.