In a week where the 49ers and Seahawks both lost, the Rams boosted their playoff chances by beating the Cardinals at home on Sunday. It improved their record to 3-3 on the year, bouncing back from a disappointing loss to the Eagles.
The offense was outstanding in the second half, scoring 20 unanswered en route to a 26-9 victory, while the defense allowed zero points in the final 30 minutes and gave Arizona no room to work with.
Here’s how we graded each position group from the Rams’ victory, beginning with Matthew Stafford at quarterback and going all the way down to the special teams unit.
Quarterback: A-
Stafford threw for only 226 yards and a touchdown, but that was on just 24 throws. He averaged 8.8 yards per attempt, which was his second-highest average of the season, and he didn’t have a single turnover-worthy play.
It’s hard to criticize anything he did on Sunday because it was such a clean performance, and he should’ve had another touchdown if not for a drop in the end zone by Puka Nacua. Stafford had the highest PFF grade of any quarterback in the NFL this week, showing just how well he played.
Running back: A
The Rams’ running backs probably earned a halftime grade of “incomplete” after getting just three carries but Kyren Williams was unstoppable in the second half. He rushed for 158 yards and one touchdown in the win, 154 yards of which came in the final 30 minutes alone.
The Cardinals had no answer for the Rams’ running back, who averaged 7.9 yards per carry, helping lead his team to a win over Arizona with a career-best performance.
Wide receiver: B+
Cooper Kupp put together a vintage performance, catching seven passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. In a game where no other Rams player had more than 30 yards receiving, Kupp stepped up and made plays when Los Angeles needed them most – like his 49-yard reception before halftime on a perfectly thrown ball by Stafford.
Puka Nacua had one drop in the end zone and Tutu Atwell’s only target of the game was a 30-yard catch, so Los Angeles’ other wideouts didn’t contribute much.
Tight end: C+
Tyler Higbee caught just two passes for 18 yards, with his only other target being a dropped pass that should’ve been a touchdown. He did a nice job as a run blocker, helping clear lanes on the right side for Williams, but it was hardly a great performance from the veteran tight end.
Offensive line: A-
The offensive line allowed just 10 pressures to the Cardinals, six of which were by the two tackles (Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein) alone. Though Stafford was sacked three times, the O-line was only blamed for two of them.
Havenstein and Kevin Dotson were both excellent as run blockers on the right side of the line, helping Williams have the big day that he did.
Defensive line: A
The Cardinals could not block Aaron Donald, who had five pressures, two quarterback hits and three tackles for a loss. Kobie Turner and Jonah Williams were also stout up front, combining for five total pressures, one sack and a pass defensed.
In their first game without Bobby Brown III, the Rams did a great job against Arizona and more than held their own – albeit, against a run game that doesn’t strike much fear without James Conner.
Inside linebacker: A-
Ernest Jones continues his fantastic season with 10 more tackles, one pressure and only one reception allowed on two targets. He only missed one tackle, and Christian Rozeboom missed two tackles of his own, but Rozeboom also had an interception, one quarterback hit and three tackles.
Jones has been a major bright spot for the Rams this season and Rozeboom is doing a decent job as the No. 2 guy next to him.
Outside linebacker: A
Byron Young had arguably the best game of his career, recording five pressures, four stops, six tackles, a forced fumble, one sack and two quarterback hits. He gave D.J. Humphries fits at left tackle, winning a good portion of his pass-rush reps on the outside.
Michael Hoecht was also a key contributor, making four tackles with one quarterback hit and five pressures of his own. It was probably his best performance of the season in a year where he’s struggled to generate much pressure.
Cornerback: B+
It was good to see Cobie Durant stand out in a positive way at cornerback, making four tackles and breaking up two passes. He only allowed one catch for 17 yards, stepping up in coverage in the slot.
Derion Kendrick and Ahkello Witherspoon did a nice job on the outside, too. Witherspoon almost pulled in his third interception of the season and Kendrick only allowed one catch in the win, though he did commit another costly penalty, a 15-yard facemask infraction.
Safety: B
Jordan Fuller and Russ Yeast played every snap again, but Quentin Lake also got significant playing time as the third safety. Lake and Yeast each missed one tackle, but Fuller was excellent; he allowed just two catches on six targets for 13 yards.
The Rams aren’t getting massively impactful plays from their safeties but Fuller and Yeast have done a nice job all season.
Special teams: C
Austin Trammell’s 29-yard punt return was overshadowed by his fumble on his next punt return, costing the Rams a possession. Brett Maher was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals but Ethan Evans averaged only 46.5 yards per punt, with one of them only going 42 yards. It wasn’t a great day from the special teams group, which also allowed a 16-yard punt return.
