GLENDALE, Ariz. — There was no time for gamers and followers to ship Rams coach Sean McVay get-well-soon playing cards.
A day after deciding to not journey with the group for concern of spreading stomach-flu signs, McVay arrived at State Farm Discipline on Sunday morning.
McVay fist-bumped gamers throughout warmups, his trademark gelled hair spikes in full impact. And he appeared none the more serious for the wear and tear whereas roaming the sideline sockless and calling performs in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals.
McVay needed to really feel good after the Rams routed the Cardinals, 45-17.
Matthew Stafford handed for 3 touchdowns, Puka Nacua scored twice and amassed 167 yards receiving, and Blake Corum rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns because the Rams bounced again from a loss to the Carolina Panthers and improved to 10-3, reclaiming the highest spot within the NFC.
Linebacker Nate Landman intercepted a go and Byron Younger, Kobie Turner and Kam Curl had sacks for a protection that gave up an opening-drive landing however thereafter clamped down because the Rams constructed a 35-point lead.
It was an necessary victory for a Rams group considered a Tremendous Bowl contender because it heads into the hardest stretch of its schedule.
Subsequent Sunday the Rams play Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions (8-5) at SoFi Stadium. 4 days later they play the Seahawks (10-3) in a key NFC West recreation in Seattle.
The 31-28 loss to the Panthers knocked the Rams out of the No. 1 seed within the NFC, however their victory over the Cardinals, and the Chicago Bears’ loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers, put the Rams again on high.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford passes in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
(Ross D. Franklin / Related Press)
The Rams’ restoration in opposition to the struggling Cardinals (3-10) was anticipated. Arizona traditionally has served as a tonic for the Rams.
Excluding final season’s Week 2 blowout by the Cardinals, the Rams have thrived within the desert below McVay. From 2017 to 2023 the Rams gained seven consecutive video games in opposition to the Cardinals on this stadium.
In 2018 the Rams bounced again from defeats by the Bears and Philadelphia Eagles and defeated the Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers to complete 13-3 and earn a wild-card bye. The Rams went on to play in Tremendous Bowl LIII.
In 2021, a victory at Arizona was the second win of a five-game streak that helped carry the Rams to the playoffs and an eventual Tremendous Bowl victory.
And final season after wildfires decimated Pacific Palisades and Altadena, the NFL moved the Rams’ wild-card playoff recreation to State Farm Stadium, the place the Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings to advance to the divisional spherical.
The season ended with a defeat to the eventual Tremendous Bowl-champion Eagles.
Sunday’s win saved the Rams on observe for an additional potential Tremendous Bowl run. And Stafford appeared to regain the MVP-caliber type that earned him NFC offensive participant of the month for November.
Towards the Panthers, Stafford’s streak of video games with out an interception ended at eight. He had two passes intercepted, together with one which was returned for a landing. He additionally misplaced the ball on a fumble late within the fourth quarter.
Stafford put that efficiency behind him and accomplished 22 of 31 passes for 281 yards in opposition to the Cardinals, growing his league-leading touchdown-pass whole to 35 earlier than Jimmy Garoppolo changed him early within the fourth quarter.
Nacua, who had taken a lower-profile position behind Davante Adams, broke out with seven catches, together with touchdowns of 28 and 31 yards, and moved right into a tie with Arizona’s Trey McBride for the league lead in receptions (93).
Rams large receiver Puka Nacua, middle, celebrates with followers as he leaves the sector at State Farm Stadium on Sunday.
(Rick Scuteri / Related Press)
The Rams led, 24-10, at halftime on brief landing runs by Corum and Kyren Williams and Stafford’s first landing go to Nacua close to the tip of the second quarter.
Stafford’s six-yard landing go to tight finish Colby Parkinson on the primary possession of the second half prolonged the lead. After Landman intercepted a go late within the third quarter, Stafford instantly handed to Nacua for a 28-point lead.
Corum’s career-high 48-yard landing run early within the fourth quarter cemented the rout.
Corum rushed for 128 yards in 12 carries. Williams gained 84 yards in 13 carries.
