Rams overwhelm Vikings, Sam Darnold for wild-card win in Arizona

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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sam Darnold tried to step up in the pocket to find a receiver but there was nowhere to go. The blue and yellow wall that was the Los Angeles Rams' defense closed too fast.

Akhello Witherspoon got there first, knocking the Minnesota quarterback to the ground as the ball popped loose. Jared Verse scooped it up and the Rams faithful roared their approval in their adopted home of State Farm Stadium as the rookie ran untouched for a 57-yard touchdown.

Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford was right there with them.

"Our defense," he said, "just went crazy."

Los Angeles -- the football team, but especially the city -- has had a tough week as wildfires have…