NFL Playoffs: LA fires can’t douse Rams’ Super Bowl dreams as Vikings crash out, Cowboys find shock coaching contender

There are just eight teams left standing in the NFL, while the Dallas Cowboys have approached a shock contender for their vacant coaching job.

A fire-affected LA Rams have powered through to the NFL’s Divisional Round after a convincing win over the Minnesota Vikings, whose quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked nine times.

The Rams were forced to move their Wildcard match against the Vikings from SoFi Stadium due to the raging fires engulfing Los Angeles and shipped 400 people in total, including players, staff, family members and even some pets to Arizona for the clash.

Limited preparation and lack of home field advantage did little to dampen the Rams, who produced their best defensive performance of the year to win 27-9 and set up a Divisional Round clash against Philadelphia Eagles next week.

The LA Rams scored a convincing win over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL’s Divisional Round. Picture: Norm Hall / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The Vikings, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Denver, Pittsburgh and LA Chargers were all eliminated in the Wildcard round, and now just eight teams remain in the hunt for Super Bowl LIX.

Top AFC seed Kansas City Chiefs host Houston Texans on Sunday (8.30am AEDT), then top NFC seed Detroit Lions host Washington Commanders (Sunday 12pm AEDT).

The Eagles host the Rams on Monday (7am AEDT) before the blockbuster showdown between Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens that pits MVP favourites Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson against each other.

While the Rams’ victory was a boost for their city, suffering one of the worst fires in history, it remains unclear whether they will be able to practice in LA this week.

Their practice facility in Woodland Hills is close to a burning fire, and staff will test the air quality and assess safety before making a final decision. The Rams may opt to travel to Philadelphia early in the week to avoid being affected.

The Rams’ victory was a boost for their city, suffering one of the worst fires in history. Picture: \ Patrick T. Fallon / AFP

The nine sacks their defence produced against Minnesota was a season high for the Rams.

Linebacker Jarrad Verse ran for a 57-yard touchdown off a Darnold fumble, while Rams quarterback and Super Bowl winner Matthew Stafford threw for 209 yards and two touchdown passes.

But now LA will encounter one of the best offensive lines in the league as the Eagles look to protect playmaker Jalen Hurts from suffering a similar fate to Darnold.

Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold was sacked seven times in a Playoff loss to the LA Rams. Picture: Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

Off-contract, Darnold was tracking for a lucrative extension at the Vikings, but following lacklustre displays in the final regular round match against Detroit and now the blowout to LA, he could be looking for a new team with star rookie JJ McCarthy and Daniel Jones already on their books.

The Texans will need more CJ Stroud magic to knock over the Chiefs in Kansas. The two-time defending Super Bowl champions will be well-rested, with most of their top stars not having played since Christmas.

Superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany welcomed their third child this week, daughter Golden Raye, in what proved to be perfect timing.

Mahomes had said he wanted to clinch the AFC top seed and get the bye in the opening week of the playoffs, as that was the due date for Brittany.

Patrick and Brittany Mahomes have just welcomed their third child. Picture: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Stroud led the Texans to a dominant 32-12 win over the Chargers, while rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels orchestrated a 23-20 upset over the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay.

Allen was superb in the Bills’ 31-7 win over Denver, while Jackson and running back Derrick Henry were at their best in a 28-14 victory over the Steelers.

Allen and Jackson go head-to-head in Buffalo in one of the most anticipated playoff showdowns in recent history.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have reportedly talked to Deion Sanders about their head coaching role, following the departure of Mike McCarthy.

The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly approached two-code star Deion Sanders for their vacant head coaching role. Picture: Ronald Cortes / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Sanders, who won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys and is the only athlete to play in the NFL’s biggest game and baseball’s World Series, was contacted by Dallas owner Jerry Jones according to several US media outlets.

There could be other coaching vacancies soon, with pressure increasing on Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin and Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles following their playoff exits.

Originally published as NFL Playoffs: LA fires can’t douse Rams’ Super Bowl dreams as Vikings crash out, Cowboys find shock coaching contender