Los Angeles Rams Dominate Arizona Cardinals
If you blinked during the first half, you might have missed the only part of this game where the Arizona Cardinals actually looked like they had a pulse. The Los Angeles Rams didn’t just beat their division rivals on Sunday; they took them out behind the woodshed. The final score read 45-17, but honestly? It felt even more lopsided than that.
While fans have been waiting for this team to recapture the magic of the 2021 Super Bowl run, Sunday’s performance felt more like a throwback to 2018—or maybe even 2001.
A Historic Offensive Explosion For the Rams
Let’s talk about balance, because Sean McVay called a game that would make any offensive coordinator drool. The Rams managed to pull off a statistical feat they haven’t touched in over two decades.
For the first time since December 2001, back when Kurt Warner was slinging the rock, the Rams posted three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in a single game. Matthew Stafford was surgical, tossing two scores to Puka Nacua (who decided to moss a defender just for fun) and one to Colby Parkinson. When an offense can hurt you through the air and then run over you on the ground, defenses don’t stand a chance. And speaking of the ground game…
The Backfield Punch: Williams and Corum
Kyren Williams has been the engine of this offense for a while, but seeing Blake Corum breakout was the cherry on top. The duo combined for 212 rushing yards. You read that right.
Corum looked like he was shot out of a cannon on a 48-yard touchdown run that effectively ended the game in the fourth quarter. It begs the question: why haven’t we seen this 1-2 punch more often? There is a direct correlation between running the ball down the opponent’s throat and winning games. It’s not rocket science, it’s just good football.
Defensive Gaps Without Lake
Okay, put down the confetti poppers for a second. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. The absence of Quentin Lake in the secondary was glaring. The Cardinals’ Michael Wilson looked like an All-Pro, torching the defense for 142 yards and two scores.
Arizona also clearly did its homework on Linebacker Omar Speights. They isolated him in coverage and went after him repeatedly. It didn’t cost the Rams the game this time, but you better believe the Lions are watching that tape and licking their chops for next week. The defense needs to tighten up those passing lanes if they want to survive a deep playoff run.
What This Means For the Rams’ Playoff Push
At 10-3, Los Angeles is sitting pretty in first place, but they can’t afford to take their foot off the gas. This team isn’t quite in “championship mode” just yet—there are still too many ebbs and flows during the game.
However, securing that first-round bye is crucial. Remember last year? Being able to rest starters in the finale was the catalyst for postseason success. With Seattle loitering right behind them in the standings, every win counts. But for now, Rams fans can sleep easily knowing they own the Cardinals. Again.
