Short-handed Rams stun Cards 30-23: Everything we know from Week 14 win…

Short-handed Rams stun Cardinals, 30-23: Everything we know from Week 14 win

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva


The Los Angeles Rams learned in the last three days that they would be without Darrell Henderson Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Tyler Higbee, Rob Havenstein and Dont’e Deayon. All of them were added to the COVID-19 list between Saturday and Monday, causing them to miss this pivotal contest.

Yet, the Rams still managed to beat the best team in the NFL, the 10-win Arizona Cardinals – at their own place, too. In what was undoubtedly the team’s biggest win of the season, the Rams stunned all of their doubters who couldn’t see them beating the division-leading Cardinals without five of their starters.

Arizona made things interesting by recovering the onside kick while trailing by seven points, but the Rams defense stepped up with one last stop to secure the 30-23 win on the road.

Final score: Rams 30, Cardinals 23


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The Cardinals took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter but the Rams clawed back in it with a 13-point second quarter. They went into halftime tied at 13, but Los Angeles put up 17 points in the second half to beat Arizona thanks to one last stop on the Cardinals’ final effort to tie the game in the last 30 seconds after recovering the onside kick.

Game notes

The Rams didn’t get off to a great start in this one, falling behind 3-0 after the first quarter. But they rounded into form by scoring on five consecutive possessions, including two third-quarter touchdowns to Van Jefferson and Cooper Kupp.
Despite not having Jalen Ramsey or Dont’e Deayon, the secondary held up decently well against a great receiving corps. Kareem Orr struggled in the first quarter but Raheem Morris figured things out by finding better matchups for his corners – like by putting Darious Williams on DeAndre Hopkins more.
Kyler Murray helped the Rams out a lot in this one. He missed two deep throws early in the first quarter, which would’ve gone for big plays and likely even a touchdown on the second one. He then threw a pick in the red zone and another interception to Leonard Floyd on a simple throw to Zach Ertz in the Cardinals’ own territory, setting up Cooper Kupp’s touchdown.
Matt Gay was clutch once again for the Rams, making a 55-yarder and 35-yard field goal in the second quarter, continuing his outstanding season. He also made an important 33-yarder to make it a 10-point game in the fourth quarter. Every kick he looks at it seems he’s going to make.
The Rams won this one in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The defensive front made a huge stop on fourth down with about five minutes left in the game, thanks to Greg Gaines and Von Miller closing down the holes in the middle on James Conner’s rush attempt. The offensive line also did a great job without Brian Allen and Rob Havenstein, protecting Stafford well in the pocket and opening up lanes for Sony Michel when the Rams needed to ice the game.
Stafford was sharp from start to finish. He didn’t turn the ball over once, didn’t really miss any throws and made some spectacular passes throughout the night. The Rams needed him to come up with a big performance and he delivered with arguably the biggest win of his career.
It was over when...

… the clock hit zero just as Aaron Donald sacked Murray for the third time of the night. The Cardinals had a shot to tie the game at the end after recovering the onside kick, but fortunately, the Rams defense made a stop when it needed to most. It wasn’t until the very end that the game was over as the Cardinals’ penalties on the final drive made it virtually impossible to complete the comeback.

3 stars of the game


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No. 3 star: Cooper Kupp – 13 catches, 123 yards, 1 TD

No. 2 star: Aaron Donald – 5 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 TFL, 1 PBU

No. 1 star: Matthew Stafford – 23-for-30, 287 yards, 3 TDs, 139.2 rating

Play of the game

Van Jefferson wasn’t involved much in the first half but on the first possession of the second half, he made a huge play – the biggest of the night. He blew by the Cardinals defense and beat both the cornerback and safety deep on a post route, and Stafford didn’t miss him.

Stafford heaved it 50-plus yards in the air and found Jefferson for six points, putting the Rams up 20-13 just after halftime.


What's next?

The Rams will return home in Week 15 to host the Seahawks, their second meeting with Seattle this season. They won the first matchup easily but this game is even more important as the Rams continue to fight for playoff positioning – even if the Seahawks are quickly falling out of contention in the NFC. Seeking their third straight win, the Rams will attempt to improve their record to 10-4.