Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats Breakdown
The clash between the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals always brings high excitement to NFL fans. Both teams have strong rosters, skilled quarterbacks, and standout defensive players that make every encounter a thrilling watch. The Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats give us a clear look into each team’s performance, strengths, and areas that need improvement.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the player stats, analyze team strategies, and highlight key performances from the most recent matchup. Whether you’re a passionate Rams or Cardinals fan or just an NFL follower, this detailed breakdown will give you a full understanding of how each player contributed to the game.
Understanding the Rivalry
The Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals share one of the most competitive rivalries in the NFC West. Every season, their encounters carry playoff implications. The Rams, known for their creative offensive schemes and tight defense, often rely on quarterback precision and wide receiver depth. The Cardinals, on the other hand, bring mobility and dynamic playmaking through their quarterback and fast-paced offensive line.
This long-standing rivalry is defined not only by scores but also by key moments where individual player performances change the course of the game. That’s why analyzing the Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats provides valuable insight into both teams’ evolving strategies.
Quarterback Comparison
In this matchup, quarterback performance was central to both teams’ outcomes. For the Rams, Matthew Stafford displayed his trademark accuracy, controlling the game’s rhythm with short passes and a few deep throws. His ability to read the Cardinals’ defense created consistent offensive progress.
On the Cardinals’ side, Kyler Murray showed flashes of brilliance with his agility and quick decision-making. He extended plays under pressure and used his legs to gain crucial first downs. However, occasional missed reads cost Arizona potential scoring drives.
Key QB Stats Comparison:
- Matthew Stafford (Rams): 26 completions, 325 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
- Kyler Murray (Cardinals): 23 completions, 284 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
The numbers highlight Stafford’s consistency and control, while Murray’s mobility added variety to the Cardinals’ attack. Both quarterbacks managed respectable completion rates, proving why this matchup always remains unpredictable.
Running Game Breakdown
The running game was a crucial factor in the Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats. The Rams leaned on Kyren Williams, who showed exceptional patience and vision, while the Cardinals relied heavily on James Conner for short-yard gains and clock control.
Running Back Stats:
- Kyren Williams (Rams): 22 carries, 108 yards, 1 touchdown
- James Conner (Cardinals): 19 carries, 72 yards
Williams’ ability to break tackles helped the Rams dominate time of possession. Conner, though productive, struggled to find gaps in the Rams’ defensive line. The ground game proved that the Rams’ balanced offense created better scoring opportunities.
Wide Receiver Performances
In any modern NFL game, wide receivers are the key to opening up the field. For the Rams, Cooper Kupp once again proved why he remains one of the league’s top wideouts. His precise route running and ability to create separation made him a constant target.
The Cardinals’ standout was Marquise Brown, who utilized his speed to challenge the Rams’ secondary, though he faced tight coverage for most of the night.
Top Receiver Stats:
- Cooper Kupp (Rams): 9 receptions, 126 yards, 1 touchdown
- Puka Nacua (Rams): 7 receptions, 88 yards
- Marquise Brown (Cardinals): 6 receptions, 94 yards
These numbers reflect how the Rams’ dual-threat receiving core stretched the Cardinals’ defense, creating space for intermediate passes and screens.
Defensive Standouts
The defense often defines who wins in close matchups, and both teams had notable performers. The Rams’ defensive line, led by Aaron Donald, applied constant pressure on Murray, forcing hurried throws. Ernest Jones also stood out with several crucial tackles that stopped the Cardinals’ drives.
For the Cardinals, Budda Baker anchored the defense with excellent field awareness, while Zaven Collins contributed solid coverage and a forced fumble that temporarily shifted momentum.
Defensive Highlights:
- Aaron Donald (Rams): 2 sacks, 5 QB pressures
- Ernest Jones (Rams): 9 tackles, 1 pass deflection
- Budda Baker (Cardinals): 10 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
- Zaven Collins (Cardinals): 7 tackles, 1 forced fumble
These stats show the defensive intensity both teams brought, keeping the game competitive from start to finish.
Special Teams Impact
Special teams often go unnoticed, but in this matchup, they played a key role in field position. Rams’ kicker Brett Maher was perfect on his field goals, while Cardinals’ Matt Prater also remained reliable under pressure.
Kick returns were another highlight. The Rams’ returner managed a key 45-yard return that set up a touchdown drive, showing how small plays can turn into game-changing moments.
Team Statistics Overview
When analyzing the Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats, team numbers give a bigger picture of the overall balance.
Team Comparison:
- Total Yards: Rams 425 | Cardinals 356
- Time of Possession: Rams 34:21 | Cardinals 25:39
- Turnovers: Rams 1 | Cardinals 2
- Penalties: Rams 4 for 45 yards | Cardinals 6 for 60 yards
The Rams’ dominance in yardage and possession underlines their ability to sustain drives, while the Cardinals’ penalties and turnovers disrupted their momentum.
Coaching and Strategy Insight
From a tactical viewpoint, Sean McVay’s game plan focused on maintaining rhythm through controlled passes and balanced runs. His use of play-action kept the Cardinals’ defense guessing.
Jonathan Gannon, leading the Cardinals, emphasized defensive adjustments and pressure plays but struggled with offensive consistency. His decision to go for it on fourth down twice showed confidence but didn’t yield the desired results.
This matchup demonstrated how coaching philosophy influences both tempo and morale throughout the game.
Key Takeaways
- Rams’ balanced offense controlled the pace, combining effective passing and running.
- Cardinals’ defensive resilience was commendable, though inconsistency hurt their scoring chances.
- Quarterback duel between Stafford and Murray remained a highlight, showing experience versus agility.
- Turnover margin proved crucial; Rams’ cleaner execution made the difference.
- Discipline and clock control separated the winning team from the one that struggled to close drives.
FAQs
- Who had the best performance in the Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals game?
Cooper Kupp delivered the standout performance with over 120 receiving yards and a touchdown, setting the tone for the Rams’ victory. - How did Kyler Murray perform in the game?
Kyler Murray showed impressive mobility and made key throws, but missed opportunities and tight coverage limited his overall impact. - Which defense performed better?
The Rams’ defense outperformed by pressuring Murray and forcing turnovers, though the Cardinals showed solid individual efforts. - What were the main factors behind the Rams’ win?
Better clock management, efficient passing, and fewer mistakes allowed the Rams to maintain control throughout the game. - How important was special teams play in this matchup?
Special teams contributed to field position advantage, with key returns and accurate kicking shaping the game’s flow.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats reveal more than just numbers. They reflect team discipline, coaching intelligence, and how small details can change outcomes. The Rams showed maturity and balance in both offense and defense, while the Cardinals displayed potential and fight despite setbacks.
Each encounter between these two franchises continues to remind fans why the NFC West is among the most competitive divisions in the NFL.
