Eric Sorenson
The Arizona Cardinals returned home Sunday, and served as more than hospitable guests, getting routed by the Los Angeles Rams 37-14 in front of an announced crowd of 62,177 at State Farm Stadium.
It was certainly another significant step back for the Cards, who fall to 2-10.
“Not good enough, obviously,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said after the game. “We didn’t match their energy and effort. We weren’t really competitive in my mind.”
The Rams opening the scoring, taking the opening kickoff and almost effortlessly marching down the field behind the arm of Matthew Stafford. The veteran quarterback hit tight end Tyler Higbee in the flat from seven yards out capping a nine-play, 75-yard drive in just 3:42.
The Cards’ offense would have an answer on their first possession. Kyler Murray pulled Arizona to within a point with his third rushing touchdown of the season, and then took the lead on Clayton Tune’s 2-point conversion quarterback sneak which followed an LA defensive penalty on the point after attempt.
.@K1 big end zone guy 🏃♂️
📺: #LARvsAZ on FOX pic.twitter.com/EqrRppY4YK
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 26, 2023
The Stafford-Higbee combination would strike again early in the second quarter as the long-time Cardinal nemisis would sneak behind the secondary for a 5-yard scoring play, putting the Rams (5-6) back in front 14-8.
After Murray’s 4th & 2 pass fell incomplete just under the two-minute warning, Stafford went back to work – connecting with Kyren Williams on the screen pass and he did the rest from 15 yards out. The running back, who was just activated, went nearly untouched into the end zone.
WELCOME BACK @Kyrenwilliams23!!!
📺 @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/Mj3pPIhjbO
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 26, 2023
Late in the second quarter, with the Rams driving again, safety Jalen Thompson jumped in front of a Stafford pass and returned it to near midfield with less than 30 seconds to play until halftime. After the turnover, Matt Prater drilled a 56-yard field on the final play of the first half, but Arizona was called for holding and Los Angeles retained their 21-8 lead.
The first half stats were, as expected, as lopsided as the score. Stafford completed 19-24 for 193 yards, and three touchdowns. The Rams out gained Arizona 287-102 and had 16 first downs to the Cards’ eight through the first 30 minutes. After an impressive opening drive, Murray, and the rest of the Cards’ offense, were held in check.
The second half mirrored the first and the Rams put the game on ice early in the fourth quarter when Stafford connected on his fourth touchdown pass, a three-yarder to Williams making the score 31-8.
Murray finished the day 27-45 for 256 yards and a touchdown. The Arizona offense managed just 292 total yards, many of which were accumulated with the game well out of hand in the fourth quarter.
“We just got to find a balance to get in rhythm with the run and pass game,” Gannon explained. “We’ll look at that tape with a critical eye and get ready for Pittsburgh.”
The Cardinals and Steelers kick off next Sunday at 11:00A Arizona time before entering their much-needed bye week.
