Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams are up against the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the Wild Card Round. The NFC West champions started the game well, but they did have a controversial call from the referees go in their favor.
The officials’ ruling cost the Vikings a defensive touchdown, sparking outrage from fans on social media platforms. Bill Belichick was on the Manningcast with Eli Manning and Peyton Manning covering the game, and he didn’t hold back from giving his thoughts about the call from the referees.
Bill Belichick Gets Candid on the Controversial Decision During Rams vs. Vikings
The former New England Patriots head coach expressed his disappointment with the decision by hinting that such calls usually favor the offensive players.
“It’s an offensive league,” said Belichick. “What are you guys doing? There’s no rules to help defense in the NFL; you can get away with that and call it an incomplete pass. You guys should coach defense in the NFL. You’d know what it’s like.”
Here’s a clip of the play that is being talked about:
Incomplete pass or touchdown?? Stafford says he threw this forward. pic.twitter.com/826KfclEUK
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) January 14, 2025
Belichick made a valid point, as new rules have made things very tough for the defensive players in competing against the ever-growing talent of the players on offense.
Even if Stafford’s pass was ruled incomplete, it should have been deemed intentional grounding. Since it’s a playoff game, this controversial call will be discussed much more. However, as is the case with every other game, there are some calls from the referees that the fans won’t agree upon, and the teams, at this point, have learned to play through it.
Matthew Stafford and the Rams Led 24-3 at Halftime
The Rams didn’t look back after the decision went in their favor. They have a 24-3 lead at halftime over the Vikings and look destined to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round.
Los Angeles’ defense showed up in the first half, making things extremely tough for Sam Darnold. The Vikings quarterback threw an interception and was sacked six times. Jared Verse scored a touchdown for the Rams’ defense after Ahkello Witherspoon forced the ball out of Darnold’s hands on a sack.
JARED VERSE SCOOP AND SCORE!
📺: #MINvsLAR on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/bXLHmOUaQW— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2025
Darnold struggled massively in the Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions, and he hasn’t done himself any favor so far in the Wild Card game against the Rams. There was an expectation that the 27-year-old quarterback could get a big contract extension in the offseason, but based on his performance in the games, which he was under pressure to perform, Darnold might have cost him a lot of money.
Had the Vikings quarterback played well in these two games, the franchise could have offered him north of $100 million on a multi-year deal. However, Minnesota might now just allow J.J. McCarthy to start next season, and it will be tough for Darnold to get a lucrative multi-year deal elsewhere.
As for the Rams, Stafford had a solid first half against the Vikings. He was 12-of-20 passing for 154 yards and two touchdowns with a passer rating of 125.8. Cooper Kupp didn’t have a single reception in the first half, but Tyler Higbee had five receptions for 58 yards before being ruled out, and Puka Nacua had three receptions for 38 yards on six targets.
The Sean McVay-led Rams team will be a dangerous opponent for the Eagles in the next round, and the neutral fans are expected to get treated with a great game.