The Los Angeles Rams ran a defensive clinic against the Arizona Cardinals in their 13-9 win. Despite the Cards getting twice as many first downs and having more offensive yards than the Rams, the L.A. Defense committed four sacks and two interceptions on Arizona.
“For our defense to hold them, scoring-wise, the way that they did, incredible effort,” said Rams head coach Sean McVay. “We made enough plays to be able to come away with the win and those are things that we certainly are not going to take for granted.”
Arizona was in the Rams’ red zone with 42 seconds left in regulation when corner Ahkello Witherspoon dove for an interception in the endzone. Officials reviewed the play for several minutes before letting the play stand.
“This is the way the NFL works, you never really know,” Witherspoon said. “I thought I stuck it, you saw by my celebration but once I saw that replay, anytime the ball hits the ground, you never know.”
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Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford noted how the interception was an “unbelievable catch.”
“Once it got tipped, I was yelling “pick it” and [Witherspoon] did a great job of reacting,” Stafford said. “He’s a really smart guy, long corner, athletic, got great hands, did a hell of a job today.”
The main goal for the Rams was to make Arizona snap the ball “one more time,” according to McVay. The defense worked ardently to execute the goal. Safety Kam Curl and linebacker Omar Speights led the defense with 10 tackles each.
“When we’re on the field, we got to get stops,” Curl said. “No matter how many plays on the field and how many times we keep having to go back out there, [we] do our job.”
Defensive end Braden Fiske committed two sacks on Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray for a combined loss of 25 yards.
“[Fiske is] a dawg, just showing up when we need him and just showing up every day and making big plays,” said Rams linebacker Byron Young. “Love that guy, he competes just like a pro and he is a pro.”
Young pushed back the Arizona offense six yards with his sack and defensive end Kobie Turner also registered a sack for a loss of seven yards.
The Rams will finish off their regular season with a home game against the Seattle Seahawks.
