The Minnesota Vikings are due to become the first team in NFL history to take the road in the Wild Card round with a 14-3 record. Justin Jefferson, Sam Darnold, and Co. travel to State Farm Stadium in Glendale today to face Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.
The game was initially scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium, but it was moved to Arizona following the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
Ahead of the game, Rachel Platten gave a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. As she finished the performance, she was moved to tears.
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mEPsmc7Lfu
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 14, 2025
Then, Platten followed up her National Anthem performance with an emotional rendition of “Fight Song” as a tribute to Los Angeles.
Platten has been a musician for over two decades. In 2003, she independently released her first album, “Trust in Me.” In 2011, she released another independent release, “Be Here.”
Platten worked several supplementary jobs while pursuing a career in music as a cover artist for a long time. Her breakthrough came with “Fight Song” in 2015 — a composition she took over 18 months to fine-tune. She has since released three studio albums under Columbia Records: “Wildfire,” “Waves,” and “I Am Rachel Platten.”
Singer Songwriter and Author Rachel Platten performs Fight Song before Rams and Vikings game pic.twitter.com/RL5DV8KE2z
— 𝒥𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒯𝑒𝑒𝓃⚡️| Fan Account (@Rlop1234Goat) January 14, 2025
Even before Platten took to the stage, Rams legend and Super Bowl winner Andrew Whitworth delivered a riveting speech to honor the men and women fighting the Los Angeles fires.
“We will rebuild LA. Hand in hand, together,” he said. “For as long as it takes and whatever it takes. We will build it together. Los Angeles, I love you. We love you and we are with you.”
"We will rebuild LA. Hand in hand, together. For as long as it takes and whatever it takes. We will build it together. Los Angeles, I love you. We love you and we are with you.” pic.twitter.com/5EfllG4ESt
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 14, 2025
The Rams organization is paying tribute to the LA Fire Department with their players, coaches, and staff donning special T-shirts in their honor.
Platten’s national anthem was performed in front of a 200-foot “LA Together” banner that was lowered onto the field ahead of player introductions.
Make sure to check out the updated playoff bracket and results from the Wild Card Round.
Rams vs. Vikings Preview
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Time: 8 PM ET
TV/Streaming: ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, ABC7 (on local channels)
While the Vikings are on the road despite a 14-3 record, PFN’s Playoff Predictor gives the 10-7 Rams only a 43.8% chance of winning.
One of the keys for the Rams today will be handling Brian Flores’ unconventional blitz packages. The Vikings’ D-line has wreaked havoc against most competition this season. Stafford will need to use his 16 years of NFL experience to maneuver the constant threat.
Luckily for the Rams, Stafford was imperious against the blitz in their Week 8 win against Minnesota, throwing seven passes for 104 yards.
Another factor possibly working in the Rams’ favor is the home playoff underdog record. Teams hosting playoff games as underdogs have gone 16-17 in the 21st century — much better than would be expected.