The Los Angeles Rams didn’t make it easy on themselves in Sunday’s regular-season finale, but when it mattered most, they delivered a statement performance.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The Los Angeles Rams didn’t make it easy on themselves in Sunday’s regular-season finale, but when it mattered most, they delivered a statement performance.
After a tightly contested first half, the Rams exploded for 35 unanswered points and pulled away from the Arizona Cardinals for a 37–20 victory before 70,044 fans at SoFi Stadium. The win secured Los Angeles the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs and snapped its first two-game skid of the season.
The Rams finished the afternoon with 530 total yards, including a dominant 249 yards on the ground, showcasing a balanced attack that overwhelmed Arizona in the second half.
Balanced Offense Fuels Second-Half Takeover
Los Angeles struck early, scoring on its opening drive, but the Cardinals hung around. The game was tied 10–10 in the second quarter, and Arizona briefly threatened to turn the finale into a letdown for a Rams team already locked into the postseason.
That changed quickly.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford led three straight touchdown drives as the Rams seized control. Stafford passed for 259 yards and four touchdowns, including two scoring throws to tight end Colby Parkinson.
“It was what needed to happen,” Stafford said. “Kind of put our minds to it.”
Wide receiver Puka Nacua was again a difference-maker, delivering explosive plays that shifted momentum. He finished with 10 receptions for 76 yards, highlighted by a spectacular one-handed grab just before halftime. Earlier in the game, Nacua had already made his presence felt with seven catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams stretched the Cardinals’ defense vertically.
Higbee Returns, Defense Holds Late
Tight end Tyler Higbee made a timely return from injury, adding five catches for 91 yards and a key fourth-quarter touchdown that sealed the outcome. His presence gave Stafford another reliable option in the red zone as Los Angeles closed the door.
Defensively, the Rams still showed some vulnerabilities, committing mistakes on special teams and allowing Arizona to linger into the third quarter. But when the offense found its rhythm, the Cardinals had no answer.
Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw for 271 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while receiver Michael Wilson caught 11 passes for 142 yards and two scores. Still, the Cardinals’ running game never materialized, producing just 51 rushing yards and 314 total yards overall. Arizona’s offense was held to 17 points for the third straight game.
Playoff Rematch Awaits in Carolina
The Rams (12–5) clinched their third consecutive playoff berth last month but squandered a chance at the NFC’s top seed with road losses to Seattle and Atlanta in the previous two weeks. Now, their path runs through the road.
Los Angeles will travel to face the NFC South champion Carolina Panthers (8–9) in the wild-card round — a familiar opponent. The Rams dropped a 31–28 decision in Charlotte on Nov. 30, setting up a postseason rematch with added urgency.
Sunday’s comeback may not have been flawless, but it reinforced the Rams’ resilience.
Los Angeles didn’t fully return to top form until late, yet Stafford’s offense responded when pressure mounted — avoiding embarrassment and building momentum for the games that matter most.