GLENDALE, Ariz. – Propelled by a near-record setting performance from their pass rush and an outstanding game from quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Rams knocked off the Vikings 27-9 in Monday night's Wild Card playoff game at State Farm Stadium.

With the win, the Rams advance to the Divisional Round to take on the Eagles in Philadelphia next Sunday at noon pacific time (NBC/Peacock).

Defensive end Kobie Turner's two sacks paced a pass rush that sacked Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold nine times, tying the NFL single game playoff record. Six came in the first half, which marked the most in the first half of a playoff game since 1988. It was more than double Los Angeles' total from its Week 8 win over Minnesota. The Vikings lost a combined 82 yards on those sacks.

Outside linebacker Jared Verse had a pivotal 56-yard fumble return for a touchdown for the first touchdown of his career.

Stafford opened the game completing his first 10 pass attempts, racking up 113 yards and one passing touchdown in the process. He finished 19 of 27 for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win.

Tight end Tyler Higbee left the game in the first half with a chest injury; he was initially ruled doubtful to return before being downgraded to out in the third quarter. Prior to sustaining the injury, Higbee was the Rams' leading receiver in the game with 5 catches for 58 yards. Additionally, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon exited the game with a thigh injury after quarterback Sam Darnold's 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson and was ruled doubtful to return.

Here is the complete game recap, presented by Toyota:

The Rams scored on the first drive of the game, with Stafford finding Williams for a 5-yard touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead. Stafford was 6 for 6 for 64 yards in addition to the touchdown pass on that series, with a 27-yard completion to Puka Nacua on the first play of the game and later a 23-yard completion to tight end Tyler Higbee.

After Los Angeles' defense forced a 3-and-out on the next possession – including negative yardage on the first two plays – the offense returned the favor with a 34-yard field goal by Joshua Karty to extend the Rams' lead to 10-0 with 4:01 left in the first quarter.

The Vikings got on the board with a 34-yard field goal by kicker Will Reichard early in the second quarter.

The Vikings nearly tied the game two plays later on a 26-yard fumble return for a touchdown by linebacker Blake Cashman, but officials overturned the call upon further review and ruled it an incomplete pass by Stafford instead. Still, the Rams were ultimately forced to punt at the end of the possession after going 3-and-out.

A running into the kicker penalty kept the Vikings' ensuing offensive series alive briefly – a killer penalty that wiped out a huge third-down sack on a cornerback blitz by Cobie Durant – but Durant got the ball back anyway on an interception. However, an offensive holding penalty on first down derailed the drive, and Los Angeles had to punt.

On the ensuing series, the Rams defense had a fumble recovery overturned upon further review by the officials. Two plays later, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon's forced fumble was scooped up by outside linebacker Jared Verse and returned for a touchdown to make it 17-3 Rams with 4:35 left in the first half.

A 13-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to tight end Davis Allen made it 24-3 Rams by halftime.

Los Angeles extended that lead to 27-3 with a 44-yard field goal by Karty midway through the third quarter.

The Vikings showed some life when Darnold tossed a 26-yard touchdown to tight end T.J. Hockenson, but the ensuing 2-point try failed, still giving the Rams a 27-9 lead with 5:05 to play in the third quarter.

Minnesota reached the L.A. 37 with 12:54 left in the fourth quarter, but a sack for a 13-yard loss on third down – split by defensive end Braden Fiske and outside linebacker Michael Hoecht – but otherwise never threatened the rest of the way.