Ahkello Witherspoon made a diving interception on a deflected move in the long run zone with 37 seconds to play, and the Los Angeles Rams barely held onto the lead within the NFC West race with a 13-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night time.
Puka Nacua had 129 yards receiving and Kyren Williams scored the one landing for the Rams (10-6), who endured a tricky offensive night time and survived a hair-raising fourth quarter for his or her fifth straight win.
The Rams will host the Seattle Seahawks (9-7) within the common season finale subsequent weekend, however earlier than then they might have already got clinched coach Sean McVay’s Fourth Division title.
If the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers mix to get three wins – or two wins and a tie – over the subsequent two days, will the Rams be NFC West champions on their schedule, no. it would not matter what occurs towards Seattle.
If the Rams do not get that compelled assist this week, they’re nonetheless answerable for the division race: The Seahawks should beat the Rams and get assist from a number of groups to say the West by denying the Rams. sixth playoff end in eight seasons beneath McVay.
The Rams narrowly averted a winnable finale towards Seattle by holding off the Cardinals, who performed a standout defensive sport per week after being eradicated from playoff rivalry.
Kyler Murray handed for 321 yards and threw two late interceptions for Arizona (7-9), which managed simply three factors on three drives into Rams territory within the fourth quarter.
Arizona drove to the Los Angeles 5 within the last minute, however when Murray’s first-down move deflected off Trey McBride’s helmet, Witherspoon made a fingertip interception in the long run zone that was confirmed from the video overview.
Matthew Stafford, who handed for 189 yards, ran out the clock within the Rams’ ninth win in 11 video games since their bye.
McBride made each his one centesimal reception and his first landing reception of the season for Arizona, which has misplaced 5 of six. McBride made 12 receptions for 123 yards and Marvin Harrison Jr. had 96 yards receiving.
Williams’ 14th dashing landing of the season, 3:23 earlier than halftime, opened the scoring and capped the Rams’ first robust drive.
Arizona lastly scored halfway by the third quarter on a 1-yard catch by McBride, who lastly scored his first landing on his 98th catch of the season. He is the tenth tight finish in NFL historical past to catch 100 passes in a season.
The Cardinals obtained inside 10-9 early within the fourth quarter on a brief area objective by Chad Ryland after their second consecutive spectacular drive. Rams rookie Joshua Karty made his second basket with 6:41 left in a seven-and-a-half-minute drive.
Arizona drove to the Rams 40, however the drive stalled earlier than rookie Kam Kinchens intercepted Murray’s heave on the objective line with 3:02 left. But Kinchens value the Rams 40 yards of area place by working it again to the 11 as an alternative of beating it, and the Rams offense gave the ball again to the Cards simply 1:01 later.
Michael Hoecht blocked Arizona’s additional level try within the third quarter. The linebacker leads the NFL this season with three blocked kicks, the second-most in Rams historical past.
Cardinals CB Garrett Williams was evaluated for a concussion within the second half. RB James Conner dressed regardless of a knee harm, however had simply 4 ineffective carries earlier than being shut down.
Rams RT’s Rob Havenenstein remained out with a shoulder harm sustained in follow this week. The veteran missed his fifth sport of the season.
The Rams have received three straight and 11 of their final 15 towards Seattle. The Cardinals end at residence towards the 49ers.
Associated Press reporting.
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