Matthew Stafford was in peak form on Sunday, leading the Los Angeles Rams to a 45-17 rout of the Arizona Cardinals. Stafford, 37, threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, while Puka Nacua and Blake Corum each scored twice as the Rams (10-3) poured in 35 unanswered points to rebound from last week’s turnover-marred loss to Carolina. Los Angeles has now won seven of its last eight games, remaining tied with Seattle atop the NFC West and one game ahead of San Francisco.
The Cardinals (3-10) have dropped five straight and 10 of 11 games.
After falling behind 7-0 early, the Rams surged for a 24-10 halftime lead. Stafford’s 28-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Nacua, who had six catches for 136 first-half yards, capped the drive. Los Angeles also scored on 2-yard runs from Kyren Williams and Corum in the first half, racking up 306 total yards before intermission and finishing with 530.
The Rams’ offensive dominance continued late in the third quarter. Nate Landman intercepted Jacoby Brissett and Stafford immediately connected with Nacua for a 31-yard touchdown, making it 38-10. On the next possession, Corum broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 45-10. Nacua finished with 167 receiving yards, while Corum had 128 rushing yards.
Arizona jumped out to a 7-0 lead on Brissett’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson, who finished with 11 catches for 142 yards and two scores. Brissett, starting in place of injured Kyler Murray for the eighth straight game, completed 25 of 44 passes for 271 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Trey McBride recorded five catches for 58 yards, extending his streak to 15 consecutive games with at least five receptions, tying Travis Kelce’s tight end record.
This loss continues a troubling trend for the injury-plagued Cardinals, who have now been beaten soundly by every division rival in recent weeks, including the Seahawks and 49ers. The Rams have now won 15 of their last 18 meetings with Arizona.
Injuries:
Rams: CB Darious Williams (tibia) among five inactives.
Cardinals: CB Max Melton (heel), WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel), RB Emari Demercado (ankle), S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle), WR Xavier Weaver (hamstring), DL Walter Nolen III (knee) out. DL Bilal Nichols (knee) left in Q2, LT Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) left in Q3, S Jalen Thompson (hamstring) left in Q4.
Up Next:
Rams: Host Detroit Lions next Sunday.
Cardinals: Visit Houston Texans next Sunday.
