The Los Angeles Rams now executed their eighth win of the season after defeating the Arizona Cardinals. Now they set their sights on preparing for the New England Patriots, who they will host on Thursday.
“The Patriots must have been unbelievable against the Chargers today,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “I can’t wait to flip this film on to see how well the Patriots played against the Chargers.”
Rams quarterback Jared Goff completed 37 passes for 351 yards, running back Cam Akers made 21 runs for 72 yards, and wide receiver Robert Woods made 10 catches for 85 yards. Akers attributes his performance to the work he put in at practice.
“It’s all a mindset thing,” he said. “If you don’t got the mindset to be a dog, then the dog plays won’t come to you.”
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray made 21 passes for 173 yards, rusher Kenyan Drake made 10 runs for 49 yards, and wideout DeAndre Hopkins had eight catches and 52 yards.
Arizona came out strong, getting a 59-yard touchdown in the early minutes of the game. The Rams were slow to start with their offense struggling to advance.
Running back Cam Akers was first to put the Rams on the scoreboard with a nine-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The Rams defense came to the field and did not allow the Arizona offense to gain any yards.
Goff and his corps of wide receivers had all the momentum to score until the Cardinals defense forced the Rams to turnover on downs at the Arizona one-yard line.
Sebastian Joseph-Day deflected one of Murray’s passes as the Rams defense continued to suffocate Arizona.
The Rams had no problems reaching the Cardinal redzone. Goff send a lobbed pass to tight end Tyler Higbee to score a touchdown.
With 50 seconds left in the second quarter, the Cardinals advanced via quick plays. Corner Jalen Ramsey got a pass interference penalty, giving Arizona a 25-yard advance into the Rams territory.
After the Cardinals squandered a field goal attempt, Los Angeles went into halftime ahead 14-7.
At this point, the Rams have held the Cardinals to 82 yards, four first downs and 21 plays.
The Rams offense took the field to begin the third quarter, they escaped two third downs to make a field goal. Hopkins caught a four-yard touchdown pass on a third and goal. This shrunk the Cardinal deficit to three points.
The Rams passing game stayed strong; Goff targeted Akers for a 22-yard gain on a third down. On the Second play in the fourth quarter, Goff committed a successful quarterback sneak from Arizona’s one-yard line. The Rams were up by 10 points.
Los Angeles wideout Nsimba Webster fumbled on a punt return for Cardinals specialist Trent Sherfield to recover. Two plays later, Arizona scored a touchdown from a four-yard rush by Drake.
The Rams responded with a 22-yard passing play to covert a third down and running back Darrell Henderson making a 38-yard rush into the end zone four plays later.
Safety John Johnson III stopped three consecutive Arizona plays. Linebacker Justin Hollins sacked Murray for a loss of 24 yards and the Rams gained possession.
Although the Rams missed their field goal kick, corner Troy Hill made up for it by picking off Murray for a touchdown. The pass was meant for wideout Andy Isabella.
“I seen Kyler (Murray) looking at [Isabella],” Hill said. “I just went for it, I just jumped in. Everything else played it’s part.”
Down but not out, the Arizona offense returned to the field after a 54-yard punt return by rusher Chase Edmonds. On a second down, Drake made a 28-yard rush to give Arizona a first in goal.
After three futile tries, the Cardinals scored their final touchdown when Murray connected with tight end Dan Arnold.
The Rams are eager to prepare for their Thursday night showdown against the New England Patriots on December 10 at 5:20pm.
