Rams Continue Dominance of Cardinals With 20–12 Victory

Michael Hoecht (97) of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates with head coach Sean McVay during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Sept. 25, 2022. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

GLENDALE, Ariz.—Matthew Stafford threw for 249 yards, Cam Akers and Cooper Kupp both scored touchdowns and the Los Angeles Rams used a stellar defensive effort to beat the Arizona Cardinals 20–12 on Sept. 25.

The Rams (2–1) continued their dominance in the series of NFC West rivals, winning 11 of the past 12 games dating to 2017, including last year’s 34–11 win in the playoffs.

LA’s offense had some good moments, but the win was largely due to its defense. Aaron Donald had a sack and two tackles for loss while Jalen Ramsey added two passes defended and a tackle for loss.

Matthew Stafford (9) of the Los Angeles Rams throws a pass during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Sept. 25, 2022. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Rams gave up 365 total yards but limited the Cardinals to no touchdowns and four field goals.

Arizona’s Kyler Murray was 37–of–58 passing for 314 yards. Marquise Brown caught 14 passes for 140 yards. The Cardinals have lost seven of nine games dating to last season.

The Cardinals (1–2) cut the deficit to 13-9 in the third quarter on Matt Prater’s third field goal of the afternoon, this one from 49 yards.

But the Rams took control on the ensuing drive, with Akers shaking off multiple would-be tacklers to score on a 14-yard run for a 20–9 advantage.

It capped an eight-play, 85-yard drive that included a big third-down conversion on 3rd–and–11 when Stafford evaded Arizona’s pressure, spun and delivered a pass to Kupp.

Los Angeles pushed its lead to 10–0 in the first quarter when Kupp ran for a 20-yard touchdown. Kupp was in motion before the play and took a quick handoff from Stafford, which fooled most of the Cardinals defense and allowed the receiver room to sprint to the corner of the end zone.

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) of the Los Angeles Rams attempt to reach the end zone in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Sept. 25, 2022. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

While the Rams were building a 13–0 lead, the Cardinals had another slow start on offense. Arizona had just 14 yards rushing before the break and settled for two field goals, trailing 13–6 at halftime.

The Cardinals were coming off a thrilling 29–23 overtime win over the Las Vegas Raiders, clawing back into the game after falling behind 20–0 at halftime. The Rams beat the Falcons 31–27 last weekend.

Missed Opportunity

Akers had some good moments, but also a bad one. He fumbled at the 1-yard line while trying to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter that would have put the Rams ahead 27–9.

Special Teams

The Rams turned a blocked punt into an eventual field goal during the first quarter. Andy Lee’s punt was deflected by Michael Hoecht, and Los Angeles recovered at Arizona’s 35-yard line. Eight plays later, Matt Gay made a 22-yard field goal for a 3–0 lead.

Brandon Powell (19) of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball after a reception against Budda Baker (3) of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Sept. 25, 2022. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Up Next

Rams: Get an extra day off before traveling to face the 49ers on Monday, Oct. 3.

Cardinals: Travel to face the Panthers next Sunday.

By David Brandt