Rams Secure NFC No. 5 Seed with 37-20 Victory Over Cardinals
The Los Angeles Rams secured the NFC’s No. 5 seed with a convincing 37-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. This win ensures that the Rams will face the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs next week.
Historic Win for Rams’ Leadership
This triumph also marked a significant milestone for head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead, as it was their 100th combined win in the regular season and postseason. They join an exclusive group as the 15th head coach-general manager duo to achieve this feat, ranking third among active pairs.
Stafford’s Stellar Performance
Quarterback Matthew Stafford had an impressive outing. He completed 25 of 40 passes for 259 yards and threw four touchdown passes. This performance allowed him to surpass Dan Marino on the NFL’s all-time career passing touchdowns list, moving into seventh place. Stafford also overtook Matt Ryan, placing him sixth for career completions in NFL history.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Moreover, Stafford’s four touchdowns highlighted a remarkable season. He became the third player ever to throw multiple touchdown passes in 15 games within a single season, joining legends Peyton Manning and Dan Marino.
Key Contributions from Players
- Tight End Tyler Higbee: Returned from injury, recording five receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown.
- Tight End Colby Parkinson: Contributed with four receptions for 36 yards and two touchdowns.
- Wide Receiver Puka Nacua: Caught ten passes for 76 yards and one touchdown.
Defensive Highlights
The Rams’ defense made crucial plays, including a sack-fumble by outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart. Defensive end Kobie Turner recovered the fumble during the Cardinals’ opening drive. Although the Rams capped the possession with a 34-yard field goal by kicker Harrison Mevis, it set the tone for the game.
This victory not only secured the Rams’ playoff position but also demonstrated their strong performance heading into the postseason.
