Rams get insanely lucky break from officials after Vikings fumble TD overturned

Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams were beating the brakes off Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter of their playoff matchup in Arizona. Just when it looked like the Vikings were going to claw their way back into this game, Los Angeles needed some zebra-clad intervention to keep points off the board.

With the Rams looking to seize momentum back after the Vikings punched a field goal through the uprights and made it 10-3, Stafford was roped to the ground by a blitzing Vikings defender. The ball seemingly squirted out of his grasp, and Minnesota ran it back for what looked like a game-tying touchdown.

However, upon further review, the officials determined that Stafford's arm was moving forward, which led them to overturn the ruling on the field and give the Rams an incomplete pass. Amazingly, this wasn't even the only lucky break the Rams were afforded after the call was made.

Despite the fact Stafford's "pass" traveled only a few feet and no receiver was in the area, Stafford was not called for intentional grounding. The Rams didn't end up scoring on this drive, but they were able to intercept Darnold on the next drive. That sound you heard was Sean McVay breathing a huge sigh of relief.

Rams get lucky break from refs after Vikings TD overturned

The Rams started off this game about as well as they could have prior to that whole miscue. Stafford completed 10 of his first 11 passes, finding the end zone after connecting with Kyren Williams before the Jared Verse-led defense forced Darnold into a very quick three-and-out.

Fans may have been a bit taken aback by how easily the Rams were able to move the ball against the blitz-happy defense of Viking DC Brian Flores, who is getting interest as a head coach for his work this season. Unfortunately, the good times couldn't last all game, and the Rams really need to lock in.

With how explosive Minnesota's LA-adjacent offense can be, the Rams need to make sure the Vikings don't seize momentum in this game. Getting some help from the officials was an extremely lucky turn of events the Rams can't afford to let it slip through their fingers.