Amidst the disastrous wildfires raging in their city, the Los Angeles Rams still defeated the Minnesota Vikings last Monday to advance to the second round of the NFL play-offs. The NFC wildcard game that the Rams were supposed to host was instead moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale. There, the Rams paid homage to first responders who fought to get the fires under control.   The colours and logos of the Rams adorned the State Farm Stadium. The Rams hired a convoy of buses to bring fans from Los Angeles, with people visiting SoFi Stadium before dawn to begin the six-hour trip.  Fans waved flags and signs thanking the firefighters, while Rachel Platten performed “Fight Song” in a pre-game ceremony.  Up to 24 people have died and thousands rendered homeless. Last Monday, over 90,000 people were displaced as authorities geared up for another round of intense winds in Los Angeles.  When the match started the NFC West Champion Rams were locked in, delivering a symbolic performance against a Vikings club that won a spectacular 14 regular-season matches.  “We knew what we were playing for today,” said Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who completed 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. “It’s a tough time to be back (in Los Angeles). We’re just happy that we came out and played like this tonight to get something to be happy about.” Los Angeles’ defense was astonishing. They sacked Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold a play-off record of nine times and returned one ensuing fumble for a touchdown. 

If Jalen Hurts runs during the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, the Washington Commanders plan to make him pay.  Washington defensive coordinator Joe Whitt while speaking to reporters on Thursday said his players intend to treat the QB like a running back when he uses his legs.  “We’ve had a number of these guys that we’ve had to prepare for,” Whitt said. “The one thing is, is if he’s going to run the ball, and if the coordinator makes the decision for him to run the ball, we’re going to treat him like a running back, and we’re going to hit him that way. So that’s their decision if they want to get him hit the way he gets hit. If they don’t, they’ll keep him in the pocket. So, that’s what we’re going to do.” In the Eagles Week 11 victory over the Commanders, Hurts rushed 10 times for 39 yards and a TD. He delivered 18 of 28 passing for 221 yards. In the Week 16 meeting, he suffered a concussion on a scramble and was absent for a while.  Whitt’s statement didn’t upset Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who said that’s how every NFL team treats Hurts.  “Every team is going to try to tackle Jalen like a running back,” Sirianni said on Thursday. “He’s running with the football. They’ll try to tackle him. We ultimately are cautious with how we use him and how we think about each play because we know how important it is to have him out there. I wouldn’t expect anything else. Jalen knows how to take care of himself. We know how to help him do that as well as far as the scheme goes.” Hurts running on Sunday could depend on the knee injury he suffered in the Divisional Round victory over Los Angeles Rams. He took an injury on a third-quarter sack. On the 18 play, after he attempted only three passes, completing all three of them for 19 yards, and took one kneel down.  The quarterback was listed as limited on Wednesday during a walkthrough.