Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes as the Los Angeles Rams overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings, sacking Sam Darnold an NFL playoff record-tying nine times to win 27-9 in Monday night’s NFC Wild Card game.

The matchup had been relocated out of Southern California and played at State Farm Stadium in Arizona due to ongoing wildfires.

Rookie Jared Verse returned a fumble for a 57-yard score for the Rams (11-7), who looked comfortable from the first snap as they built a 10-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The victory means they will now head on the road to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round next weekend.

Verse’s touchdown with 4:35 left in the second quarter gave the Rams a 17-3 lead. Darnold was under pressure from blitzing cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon when he lost the ball, Verse scooping it up and running untouched downfield before somersaulting into the end zone.

It was the lowlight of a brutal first half for Darnold, who was making his first NFL playoff appearance. He was sacked five times before the break and threw an interception when Cobie Durant picked off a pass intended for Jordan Addison.

Stats leaders

Minnesota Vikings

• Passing: Sam Darnold, 25/40, 245 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Rushing: Aaron Jones, 13 carries, 48 yards
• Receiving: TJ Hockenson, 5 catches, 64 yards, 1 TD

Los Angeles Rams

• Passing: Matthew Stafford, 19/27, 209 yards, 2 TDs
• Rushing: Kyren Williams, 16 carries, 76 yards
• Receiving: Tyler Higbee, 5 catches, 58 yards

Minnesota (14-4) had a chance to earn the NFC’s top seed in the final game of the regular season, but Darnold struggled in a loss at Detroit. His poor finish raises questions about his long-term future with the Vikings after he played this season on a one-year deal.

The Rams took a 24-3 lead when Stafford hit tight end Davis Allen for a 13-yard touchdown with 15 seconds remaining in the first half. Stafford finished with 209 yards passing and completed his first 10 passes, including all six on the opening touchdown drive.

Joshua Karty’s 44-yard field goal made it 27-3 on the opening drive of the second half.

LA caught a break early in the second quarter when a potentially game-changing fumble was overturned by replay. Stafford was being pulled to the turf by Minnesota linebacker Jonathan Greenard when the quarterback shovelled the ball forward just before he hit the ground.

Minnesota’s Blake Cashman grabbed the ball on the bounce and ran 26 yards to the end zone. Officials called it a fumble on the field, but it was ruled an incomplete pass after a replay review. The Vikings never threatened again.

Darnold completed 25 of 40 passes for 245 yards, but lost 82 yards on the nine sacks. The Vikings managed 269 total yards and many of those came when the game was already out of hand.

Darnold: I didn’t play well enough

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold: “I clearly didn’t play well enough the past couple weeks. Just left too many throws out there that I usually make. I’ve got to take better care of the football.”

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell: “I think it’s very important we all think about Sam’s body of work, what he was able to do this year when not very many people thought he would be able to.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford: “This time of year, it doesn’t really reward you to be timid. You’ve got to go out there and make plays. Gotta go win games in the playoffs, not just hope that things fall your way.”

What next?

The Rams will now advance to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round after Nick Sirianni’s side beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Elsewhere the No 1-seeded Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans, while the Detroit Lions take on the Washington Commanders and the Buffalo Bills meet the Baltimore Ravens.

Super Bowl LIX takes place on Sunday February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, live on Sky Sports NFL.