The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals 13–9 on Saturday night, just managing to hold onto control of the NFC West race after Ahkello Witherspoon made a diving interception on a deflected throw in the end zone with 37 seconds remaining.
The Rams (10-6) persevered through a challenging offensive night and into a nail-biting fourth quarter to win for the sixth time in a row. Puka Nacua had 129 yards receiving and Kyren Williams scored the only touchdown.
The Rams could already have coach Sean McVay’s fourth division title secured before their regular-season finale against Seattle (9-7) next Sunday.
No matter what happens against Seattle, Los Angeles will be the NFC West champions based on its strength of schedule if the Bills, Browns, Vikings, Commanders, and 49ers all win three games or two games and a tie over the next two days.
The Rams are still in control of the division race if they don’t receive that strength-of-schedule help this week. The Seahawks will need to defeat the Rams and receive assistance from many teams in order to win the West and deny the Rams their sixth postseason spot in eight seasons under McVay.
One week after being removed from postseason contention, the Rams held off the Cardinals, who played an outstanding defensive game, and just averted a winner-take-all finale versus Seattle.
Arizona (7-9) only scored three points out of three trips inside Rams territory in the fourth quarter, led by quarterback Kyler Murray, who also threw two late interceptions and passed for 321 yards.
In the last minute, Arizona drove to the Los Angeles five, but Witherspoon made a fingertip interception in the end zone that was confirmed by video review after Murray’s first-down pass bounced off tight end Trey McBride’s helmet.
Passing for 189 yards, Matthew Stafford sealed the Rams’ eighth victory in 11 games following their bye.
For Arizona, which has dropped five of six games, McBride recorded his 100th reception and his first touchdown catch of the season. Marvin Harrison Jr. had 96 receiving yards and McBride had 12 catches for 123 yards.
The Rams’ first strong drive was concluded by Williams’ 14th rushing touchdown of the season 3:23 before halftime, which began the scoring.
A 1-yard catch by McBride, who recorded his 98th catch of the season, gave Arizona their first touchdown halfway through the third quarter. In NFL history, he is the tenth tight end to catch 100 passes in a season.
Chad Ryland’s short field goal early in the fourth quarter gave the Cardinals their second consecutive strong drive, bringing them to 10-9. With 6:41 remaining, Rams rookie Joshua Karty completed a 7 1/2-minute drive with his second field goal.
With 3:02 remaining, rookie Kam Kinchens stopped Murray’s throw on the goal line after Arizona had driven to the Rams 40. However, Kinchens returned the ball to the 11 rather than batting it down, costing the Rams 40 yards of field position. The Rams’ offense then punted the ball back to the Cards just 1:01 later.
Hoecht’s swat
In the third quarter, Michael Hoecht stopped Arizona’s attempt at an extra-point. With three blocked kicks this season, the linebacker leads the NFL and has the second-highest total in Rams history.
Injuries
CB for the Cardinals In the second half, Garrett Williams was assessed for a concussion…. RB Even though James Conner had a knee ailment, he only made four unsuccessful carries before being shut down.
Rams: RT Rob Havenstein missed practice this week due to a shoulder ailment. It was the fifth game of the season that the veteran missed.
Up next
The Rams have defeated Seattle 11 times in their last 15 games and three times in a row. The Cardinals play the 49ers at home for their final game.
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