14-win Vikings enter NFC wild-card game against Rams, who beat them in October

Minnesota (14-3) vs. Los Angeles Rams (10-7) at Glendale, Arizona

Monday, 8 p.m. EST, ESPN/ABC

BetMGM NFL odds: Vikings by 1.

Against the spread: Vikings 11-5-1; Rams 8-9.

Series record: Rams lead 29-17-2.

Last meeting: Rams beat Vikings 30-20 in Inglewood, Calif. on Oct. 24.

Last week: Vikings lost to Detroit 31-9; Rams lost to Seattle 30-25.

Vikings offense: overall (12), rush (T-19), pass (6), scoring (9).

Vikings defense: overall (16), rush (2), pass (28), scoring (5).

Rams offense: overall (15), rush (24), pass (10), scoring (20).

Rams defense: overall (26), rush (22), pass (20), scoring (17).

Turnover differential: Vikings plus-12; Rams plus-6.

Sam Darnold makes his NFL postseason debut as a starter after becoming the first QB to win 14 games in his first season with a team, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and surpassing his previous career highs in every key statistical category. The Orange County native and USC product who became the third overall pick in 2018 by the Jets was Brock Purdy’s backup last year on the 49ers’ NFC champion team. Last week against the Lions in a game that determined not only the NFC North title but the No. 1 seed in the conference, Darnold flopped with an 18-for-41 performance in which the Vikings failed to score a touchdown on four red zone possessions, including three trips inside the 10. Earlier this season against the Rams, Darnold’s 128.7 passer rating was his second best of his career after going 18 for 25 for 240 yards and two TDs without a turnover.

QB Matthew Stafford turned in one of his best performances of the season in the Week 8 win over the Vikings, throwing for 279 yards and four touchdowns to one interception. However, he wasn’t nearly as sharp down the stretch, going 47 for 78 for 459 yards, one touchdown and one interception in victories over San Francisco, the New York Jets and Arizona. Stafford didn’t throw for more than 189 yards in any of those games while getting bailed out by a tenacious defense which held all three opponents to single digits. After getting a week off in the regular-season finale versus the Seahawks, the Rams will hope Stafford can be back at his best to make another playoff run. He had 1,188 yards and 11 total touchdowns to three interceptions in four postseason games when Los Angeles won the Super Bowl after the 2021 season, saving his best for fourth-quarter drives.

Vikings RB Aaron Jones vs. Rams defensive line. Jones never got on track when Minnesota visited SoFi Stadium in October, rushing for 58 yards on 19 carries. His longest gain was 9 yards. That ineffectiveness was one of the reasons the Vikings had to settle for two second-half field goals on drives inside the Rams 20. Los Angeles allowed 64 yards total on the ground, its second-best performance of the season. While OLB Byron Young, DT Kobie Turner and rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske receive praise for their pass rush skills, they also contributed 43 combined tackles for loss. If they can keep Jones under wraps again, it would give the defense a significant edge.

The Vikings are remarkably healthy at this stage, the season-ending knee injury for LT Christian Darrisaw notwithstanding. One key player who missed the game at Detroit last week was backup OLB Patrick Jones (knee). His status remains in question this week.

The Rams are in great shape, with RT Rob Havenstein (shoulder) set to return from a two-game absence. Backup RB Blake Corum is out for the playoffs after breaking his forearm against Seattle.

The previous time these teams met in the postseason, the Rams beat the Vikings 49-37 on Jan. 16, 2000, in Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner’s playoff debut on their way to winning the Super Bowl. That was the highest-scoring divisional round game in NFL history. … Los Angeles won the past three regular-season meetings. … Minnesota has a 5-2 series edge in the playoffs.

The Vikings most recently won a postseason game five years ago, a wild-card round win at New Orleans. … The Vikings have 31 postseason losses, tied with the Cowboys for the most in NFL history. They are 21-31 for an all-time winning percentage in the playoffs (.404) that is the fourth worst in league history, ahead of the Lions (9-14), Chargers (12-19) and Bengals (10-16). … The Vikings are sixth all time in postseason appearances (31), with fewer seasons in the league (64) than every club ahead of them on the list: Cowboys (36 in 65), Packers (36 in 104), Steelers (34 in 90), Giants (33 in 100) and Rams (32 in 88). … Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, who was the offensive coordinator of the Rams on their 2021 Super Bowl championship team, is 0-1 in the postseason as a head coach. … Vikings WR Justin Jefferson had 28 receptions of 20-plus yards to lead the league this season, seven more than the next-closest player. Since entering the league in 2020, he has 132 catches of 20-plus yards, 25 more than any other player. CeeDee Lamb is next. … Jones has 100-plus total yards from scrimmage in four of his past five postseason games, all with the Packers. Last year, he rushed for 226 yards and three TDs over two playoff games. … The Vikings led the league with 24 interceptions and tied for first with 33 takeaways. … Vikings LB Blake Cashman, who missed the regular-season matchup with the Rams because of a toe injury, was the only LB in the NFL this season with at least 100 tackles, eight tackles for loss and eight passes defensed. … Vikings OLBs Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel each made their first Pro Bowl team after a career-high 18 tackles for loss, which tied them for fourth in the league. … Sean McVay is in the playoffs for the sixth time as Rams head coach. He has a 7-4 record in the postseason. … Stafford has taken Los Angeles to the postseason in three of his four seasons. He had a passer rating of 154.5 in a 2021 NFC wild-card win over Arizona, the highest playoff efficiency mark in team history. … WR Puka Nacua set an NFL rookie record with 181 yards receiving in a wild-card loss to Detroit last year. He needs 126 yards for the highest total through a player's first two playoff games in league history. … The Rams and Denver Broncos were the only teams to get at least 10 sacks from rookies. Fiske (8 1/2) and Verse (4 1/2) did the majority of the damage. … Los Angeles made the playoffs with 16 rookies on its active roster, the most in the NFL this season. … After a midseason slump, PK Joshua Karty ended the regular season by making 13 consecutive field goals over the final five games. He made kicks of 58 and 57 yards among his four field goals versus Seattle. … WR Cooper Kupp followed up his sensational Triple Crown regular season in 2021 by making 33 catches for 478 yards and six touchdowns during the Super Bowl drive. However, Kupp didn’t look right to end this season with four receptions for 53 yards in his final three games before getting to sit out last week to rest.

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Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) scores a rushing touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) celebrates his team's rushing touchdown with head coach Sean McVay during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) is hit by Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) on a run during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, is sacked by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske (55) during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — At least five people were killed and thousands of structures were burned as fierce wildfires raged in the Los Angeles area, officials said. Fast-moving flames blazed through homes and businesses as residents fled smoke-filled canyons and picturesque neighborhoods that are home to many celebrities.

Many of the towering fires that began Tuesday were fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, which gusted to more than 70 mph (112 kph) in some spots. The winds dropped Thursday, but the National Weather Service warned that even the reduced gusts could still spread fire rapidly and the wind is expected to strengthen again Thursday evening. Another round of strong winds may form Tuesday.

The exact death toll remained unclear, but it was expected to rise as crews begin to search the rubble.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said California has deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to battle the blazes. Oregon, Washington, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona dispatched teams to assist.

AccuWeather, a private company that provides data on weather and its impact, increased its estimate of the damage and economic loss to $135 billion to $150 billion. Government officials have not yet released any damage estimates.

Here's what to know about the fires:

Thousands of structures have been damaged or destroyed in the hilly coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.

The wreckage surpassed that of the Sayre Fire of November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, the northernmost suburb of the city, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance, a partnership between the city’s fire department and MySafe:LA.

Nearly 27 square miles (nearly 70 square kilometers) burned in Pacific Palisades, which is dotted with celebrity homes and was memorialized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit “Surfin’ USA.” The flames torched part of Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions, including the 1976 horror movie “Carrie” and the TV series “Teen Wolf.” Actor Billy Crystal and his wife Janice lost their home of 45 years.

Farther inland, the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena burned more than 4,000 structures, which includes homes, apartment or commercial buildings and vehicles. It also substantially damaged five school campuses in Altadena and scorched more than 16.5 square miles (43 square kilometers). Employees at a senior center pushed dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds to a parking lot to escape.

The Los Angeles Fire Department issued evacuation orders Thursday afternoon for a new blaze, named the Kenneth Fire, which broke out near West Hills, a neighborhood densely packed with homes in the San Fernando Valley about 11 miles (18 kilometers) northwest of Pacific Palisades.

The Hurst Fire, which started Tuesday night, prompted evacuations in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley and grew to 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers).

And in the Hollywood Hills, the Sunset Fire broke out Wednesday evening and burned near the Hollywood Bowl and other iconic landmarks. Firefighters were able to hold it to under 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers), and evacuation orders were lifted Thursday morning.

Altogether the fires have consumed about 45 square miles (117 square kilometers) — roughly the size of San Francisco.

President Joe Biden said during a White House briefing with staff Thursday that he was making federal resources available and approved additional funding to help California battle the fires, saying they were the “worst fires to ever hit Los Angeles. Ever.”

The new funding will cover 100% of the cost for 180 days for hazardous materials removal, temporary shelters, first responder salaries and measures to protect life, he said.

Biden said he was not in a position to answer whether California would continue to receive federal funding to help combat the fires after President-elect Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20. “I pray to God they will,” Biden said.

Nearly 180,000 people were under evacuation orders Thursday.

The flames threatened highly populated and affluent neighborhoods, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, home to California’s rich and famous. Hollywood stars including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods were among those forced to flee, and Moore later said she lost her home in Altadena.

A thick cloud of smoke and ash filled the skies, prompting air and dust advisories for 17 million people across a vast stretch of Southern California, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The worst conditions were in the vicinity of the fires. In East Los Angeles, the air quality index hit an unhealthy 173. Good air quality is considered to be 50 or less.

Dr. Puneet Gupta, the assistant medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said wildfire smoke can cause heart attacks and worsen asthma, while burning homes can release cyanide and carbon dioxide.

The Critics Choice Awards rescheduled Sunday ceremonies in Santa Monica for Jan. 26.

The organization that puts on the Oscars extended the voting window for Academy Award nominations and delayed next week’s planned nominations announcement.

Film studios canceled two movie premieres.

The Universal Studios Hollywood theme park closed for the day, but Disneyland, which is farther from the fires in Anaheim, remained open.

Universal Studios also canceled shooting for numerous series, including “Hacks,” “Ted Lasso” and “Suits LA.”

All schools were closed Thursday in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The NFL has moved the Los Angeles Rams’ wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings to Arizona because of the fires. The game will be played Monday night at the home of the Arizona Cardinals in suburban Glendale, Arizona.

The NBA postponed the Lakers' game against the Hornets, and the NFL said it is monitoring conditions to determine if Monday's playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings will be affected.

More than 415,000 customers were without electricity in Southern California, about half of them in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide.

Sewer, water and power infrastructure across the region has been significantly damaged, officials said.

Looters who take advantage of the wildfire crisis by targeting vulnerable communities will be prosecuted, officials promised. There have been at least 20 arrests.

“This is simply unacceptable,” Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said. “I promise you, you will be held accountable.”

Officials planned to implement a curfew around the two main fires as early as Thursday evening, and National Guard members were expected to be stationed near burn areas.

Lisa Renn looks at remains of car in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Beach front properties are left destroyed by the Palisades Fire, in this aerial view, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

A man searches though his destroyed home after the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

The sun rises as the Palisades Fire ravagee a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Residents are evacuated from a senior living facility as the Eaton Fire approaches Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A plume of smoke from a wildfire forms over the city's basin Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Firefighters look over a home after the Eaton Fire burns in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

Robert Lara, left, looks for belongings along with his stepfather after the Eaton Fire burns in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

Josh Lederer wears a mask to protect him from fumes as he retrieves his children's clothes from his fire-ravaged property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A firefighter protects a beachfront property while fighting the Palisades Fire on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the air in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Thick heavy smoke from wildfires passes over the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

The Eaton Fire engulfs a property Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Firefighters protect a structure as the Eaton Fire advances Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Residents embrace in front of burning structures as the Eaton Fire advances Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

Fire explodes out of a window of the Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the downtown Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Firefighters work inside a burned structure while battling the Eaton Fire, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

Trees sway in high winds as the Eaton Fire burns structures Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

People watch as the Eaton Fire destroys a neigborhood Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Firefighters work a hydrant in front of the burning Bunny Museum, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A wildfire-ravaged property is shown after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A man walks his bike among the ruins left behind by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The Eaton Fire burns vehicles and structures Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

A resident of a senior center is evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A resident of a senior center is evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)