The Los Angeles Rams have arguably been the best team in football during the month of December as they strung together several wins to put themselves in position to win the NFC West.
Heading into Week 17, the Rams have a chance to clinch the division and they got a step closer to doing so when they held off the Arizona Cardinals to win a tough 13-9 game. Arizona was eliminated from playoff contention last week, but still gave Los Angeles a scare.
With the win, the Rams remain a full game ahead of the Seattle Seahawks in the standings but can outright win the NFC West before their Week 18 matchup through strength of victory.
While head coach Sean McVay won’t ever complain about victories, there has to be some worry about the state of the offense. Los Angeles punted on their first four possessions of the game and would’ve been in more trouble had the defense not stepped up to prevent Arizona from moving the football.
The Rams didn’t score their first points until late in the second quarter when Kyren Williams converted on a one-yard rushing touchdown. It was L.A.’s best drive at that point of the game, highlighted by a 29-yard catch from Cooper Kupp followed up by a 15-yard strike to Puka Nacua.
On their next offensive possession, Stafford peppered Nacua with targets and connected on a big 25-yard pass to set the team up to score. Joshua Karty drilled a 53-yard field goal to give Los Angeles a 10-0 lead at halftime.
Ahkello Witherspoon saves the day for #RamsHouse
(via @RamsNFL) pic.twitter.com/0Y1KOB0GrL
— Rams Newswire (@RamsNewswire) December 29, 2024
Kam Kinchens with a big interception to give #RamsHouse a chance to ice the game!
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— Rams Newswire (@RamsNewswire) December 29, 2024
16th touchdown of the season for Kyren Williams, a new career-high.
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— Rams Newswire (@RamsNewswire) December 29, 2024
#RamsHouse defensive line came to play tonight!
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— Rams Newswire (@RamsNewswire) December 29, 2024
7th sack of the year for Braden Fiske. 😤
(via @RamsNFL) pic.twitter.com/niAQC7Xdoa
— Rams Newswire (@RamsNewswire) December 29, 2024
While the Rams defense was stout in the first half, they were a step slower in the third quarter as the Cardinals dominated time of possession. Arizona opened the third with a touchdown to Trey McBride, forced a three-and-out on defense, then scored a field goal on the following possession to make it a 10-9 game.
Williams was featured heavily on the ensuing drive, catching passes and running the football well to keep the offense on schedule. The Rams reached the red zone, but were forced to settle for a 25-yard field goal that made it 13-9.
The defense proceeded to take over the game, with Kamren Kinchens coming down with an interception on fourth down. Things looked grim, though, as L.A. punted the football after the turnover and Arizona marched all the way deep into the red zone.
On 1st-and-Goal, Kyler Murray threw a pass toward the left side of the end zone that was tipped and caught by Ahkello Witherspoon. Officials reviewed the play as the football touched the ground, but they ruled that Witherspoon had secured the football and that effectively ended the game.
What’s next for the Rams
The Rams will host the Seahawks in their regular season finale, though they could have the NFC West locked up by then with three wins from any of these five teams this weekend: Commanders, Bills, 49ers, Vikings, Browns.
