Rams move into tie for NFC West lead, beat Cardinals 38-28
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jared Goff threw for 351 yards, Darrell
Henderson ran for a crucial 38-yard touchdown and the Los Angeles Rams moved into a tie for the NFC West lead with a 38-28 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
The Rams (8-4) have won three of four and are tied with the Seahawks, who lost to the New York Giants 17-12.
Los Angeles had a 24-14 lead early in the fourth and looked like it was going to pull away until Nsimba Webster fumbled on a punt return. The Cardinals recovered at the LA 15yard line and quickly turned the mistake into a touchdown on Kenyan Drake’s 4-yard run that pulled Arizona within 24-21.
The Rams responded on their next drive, moving quickly downfield. Henderson sliced through Arizona’s defense untouched for the 38-yard score that pushed it to 31-21.
The Cardinals (6-6) have lost three straight and four of their past five. Second-year Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray had an inconsistent game, completing 21 of 39 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns. He also lost a fumble midway through the fourth and threw a pick-6 to LA’S Troy Hill, who ran it back 35 yards for a 38-21 lead.
Arizona opened the game with a 59-yard touchdown pass from Murray to tight end Dan Arnold, who didn’t have a defensive player within 15 yards of him while making the catch. The Rams were distracted by triple-teamed Deandre Hopkins, which led to Arnold being wide open, and he was able to jog into the end zone.
Los Angeles’ defense, which has been among the NFL’S best this season, tightened in a hurry. The Cardinals didn’t get another first down until late in the second quarter, and Murray finished the first half 3-of12 passing for 73 yards.
Goff completed 37 of 47 passes for the day. The Rams also had a big advantage in time of possession, keeping the ball about 39 minutes to Arizona’s 21.