Rams go out and prove they’re still contenders
Stafford, Donald make statement to Cardinals in key NFC West battle
GLENDALE, Ariz. — From the first play to the last, Aaron Donald and the Rams showed they’re still a heavyweight in the NFC West.
The six- time All- Pro finished with three sacks — the first on the initial play from scrimmage and the last as time expired — while Matthew Stafford threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Rams past the Cardinals 30- 23 on Monday night.
“That’s what the best do. They play their best when the best is required,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “We talk about competitive greatness all the time and this guy is the epitome of competitive greatness. Really proud of Aaron. Not at all surprised.”
The Cardinals ( 10- 3) will have to wait at least one more week before clinching their first playoff spot since 2015. Kyler Murray threw two interceptions that led to Rams touchdowns.
Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. both caught touchdowns for the Rams ( 9- 4), who won their second straight, pulled within one game of the Cardinals in the division and look rejuvenated following a threegame losing streak in November.
Kupp had 13 catches for 123 yards, the eighth 100- yard game this season for the NFL’s receiving leader.
The Cardinals had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds after recovering an onside kick. But a holding call wiped out Murray’s long run on the first play of the drive and the Cardinals couldn’t produce a last- second miracle. On the final play, Donald charged toward Murray and the quarterback fell to the turf instead of getting run over by the 280- pound defensive lineman.
“We had a game plan, we stuck to it and it was fun,” Donald said.
Stafford — who had plenty of protection and time to throw most of the night — hit Van Jefferson on a high- arching pass for a 52- yard touchdown to push the Rams ahead 20- 13 early in the third quarter. The veteran quarterback dissected a Cardinals defense that had been among the best against the pass in the NFL this season.
A few plays later, Murray was picked off for the second time. Leonard Floyd tipped the ball into the air, caught it and then rumbled downfield to the Arizona 19. Seven plays later, Stafford hit a diving Kupp for a 4- yard touchdown and the Rams led 27- 13.
James Conner sliced through the Rams’ defense for an 8- yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 27- 20.
Murray finished with 383 yards passing as the Cardinals tried to catch up late.
Power rankings
The Associated Press Pro32 NFL Power Rankings, as voted by a 12- member panel, with first- place votes in parentheses, records through Monday, total points based on 32 points for a first- place vote through one point for a 32nd- place vote, and previous ranking: