Rams’ playoff win at Cardinals’ stadium etches new embarrassing mark in teams’ history

The Rams showing against the Vikings at State Farm Stadium is nothing that Arizonans aren’t used to.

LA is 6-1 against the Cardinals when on the road since the name change from Cardinals Stadium ahead of the 2018 season. The Cardinals earned their first win at their stadium over the Rams this year with a 41-10 blowout in Week 2.

The victory isn’t just the first home playoff win at State Farm Stadium, its the first non-Super Bowl related playoff game to be hosted at State Farm.

Aside from the Philadelphia Eagle-Kansas City Chiefs bout at Super Bowl LVII in 2023, an NFL playoff game had never been played at the Cardinals’ stadium. If it wasn’t for the playoffs and college football’s VBRO Fiesta Bowl, State Farm Stadium wouldn’t even know what a postseason smells like.

Thanks to the Rams, it does now.

The Eagles were technically the home team in their Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs two years ago, so Los Angeles’ win does stand as the first home team win in State Farm history.

Arizona just can’t seem to stay out of LA’s way, even when they’re being the good guys. In an effort to assist their division rival — extending their planes and facilities to the Rams — the Cardinals just added another embarrassing reality to their lopsided relationship.

The Rams has averaged 28.6 points per game in its seven matches with the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, and their 27 points against the Vikings showed that the stadium may just belong to them.

LA quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 19-27 passes (70.4%) for 209 yards. He connected with running back Kyren Williams for one of his touchdowns. Williams added 76 yards and a touchdown on the ground off 16 carries. Rams first-round rookie linebacker Jared Verse added to the point total with a 57-yard scoop-and-score fumble recovery that preceded Stafford’s second and final touchdown to tight end Davis Allen.

Arizona and Los Angeles’ unbalanced history is even more of an abomination once they cross the Arizona border.

Since the stadium’s name has been changed, the Cardinals are 3-12 against the Rams with nothing to show besides early off-seasons and disgruntlement about the current roster. LA has made the playoffs five times since 2018, appearing in two Super Bowls, claiming the NFL’s crown in 2021.

The move of the game was met with controversy due to State Farm Insurance’s policy cuts in California, including the effected areas in LA.

State Farm may not always be there for Los Angeles, but the Rams are always present when they play at State Farm.