Stafford: Rams 'weren't playing just for us'
The Los Angeles Rams advanced past the opening round of the playoffs by defeating the Minnesota Vikings in a home game that was contested a long way from home.
The NFL moved the wild-card game from SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium in Arizona due to the impact of ongoing wildfires in Southern California. Quarterback Matthew Stafford revealed the Rams didn't see the tragic events as a distraction but as a source of motivation.
"There was definitely every excuse in the book to come out here and be lethargic and 'woe is me' and all that, but we knew we weren't playing just for us," Stafford said postgame. "(We were) playing for people back home that needed something to watch and enjoy, and I'm glad we could give that to them."
L.A. played a complete team game in Monday's 27-9 victory. The defense held an explosive Vikings offense to just nine points, while the Rams' offense was aggressive from the opening kickoff. Stafford credited head coach Sean McVay for focusing the team amid concerns back home.
McVay was proud of his team's performance.
"You talk about sports offering a platform for people to come together, offer a little bit of temporary relief, and I thought the way our team competed tonight was what it looked like," McVay said. "To stay connected, to stay together, just the fight, the spirit, the resilience, and all the different things that are great traits this team has really built through the challenges that they've gone through over the course of this season."
The Rams arranged for buses for close to 1,500 season-ticket members to get from SoFi Stadium to the game and back.
The Arizona Cardinals served as gracious hosts leading up to Monday's contest. Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill sent two Boeing 777 planes to send Rams players and staff as well as their families to Glendale.
"It's always a good time to do the right thing," Bidwill said last week, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
After winning their first playoff game since Super Bowl LVI, the Rams will continue their postseason run on the road Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.