Here's how the NFL playoffs look after the wild-card round

After a few very intense days of games, the NFL wildcard round is now history, and as always, the playoffs have not left us indifferent. Because although there have not been particularly surprising results, the last one has been unexpected. The third team with the best record in the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings, have fallen very easily against the Los Angeles Rams, who despite having lost more games, having been champions of their division, were at home. However, due to the fires that are ravaging California, they have had to play in Phoenix, at the home of the Arizona Cardinals. And Sean McVay’s team has given the surprise.

The Rams ‘flew’ to get a victory by 27 to 9, to qualify for the divisional round of the NFC, in which they will visit the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday, while the other game of the divisional phase in this conference will be played on Saturday between the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders. Precisely those from Detroit beat the Vikings in the last game of the regular league, in which whoever took the victory would be the first ‘seed’, avoiding this round.

Despite always being a team with more potential on offense, the key to the victory was the defense of Sean McVay’s team. Sam Darnold received a total of nine sacks, tying the record in a playoff duel. Meanwhile, on offense they were masterfully led by Matthew Stafford, who passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns, but they did so by spreading the ball around a lot, since star receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp did not pass 50 yards, and only tight end Tyler Higbee did. Meanwhile, on the ground, Kyren Williams was once again the star with 76 yards.

One drive later, the defense sacked Darnold again, leaving the offense with another touchdown pass to Davis Allen that left the halftime score at 24-3, and there was little motivation in the second half. In the third quarter, the Rams struck with a field goal, while the Vikings finally scored a TD with a pass to T.J. Hockenson to cut the lead to 27-9, but that was the end of the comeback, putting an end to the game.