Alright, let's talk about that Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals game. You're here digging for those los angeles rams vs arizona cardinals match player stats because the box score alone just doesn't cut it, right? Who really showed up? Who disappeared? Which matchups decided the thing? I get it. As a fan myself, I pour over this stuff after every game, trying to see beyond the final score. So, let's break it down, position by position, number by number. Forget the fluffy commentary; we're going straight to the data that matters, the kind that fuels debates at the water cooler or screams from fantasy football message boards. Buckle up.
Seriously, looking at just touchdowns or total yards is like judging a movie by its poster. You need the granular stuff – targets, pressures, completion percentages under duress, yards after contact. That's where the real game is won and lost. Especially in a division rivalry like Rams-Cardinals, where the play styles clash so distinctly.
The Quarterback Duel: Stafford vs Murray
This is always the headline grabber. Matthew Stafford (LA Rams) and Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals) are two very different beasts under center. Stafford, the grizzled vet with the cannon arm, operating behind a line that sometimes feels like swiss cheese. Murray, the electrifying dual-threat, always a blink away from breaking contain. How did their numbers stack up? Let's get specific.
| Stat | Matthew Stafford (Rams) | Kyler Murray (Cardinals) |
|---|---|---|
| Completions / Attempts | 28 / 42 | 24 / 38 |
| Passing Yards | 312 | 278 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 2 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 2 |
| Passer Rating | 93.5 | 78.9 |
| Sacks Taken | 4 (Loss of 26 yds) | 3 (Loss of 18 yds) |
| Rushing Attempts / Yards | 2 / 7 | 8 / 56 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 0 | 1 |
| QBR (ESPN Metric) | 68.1 | 52.3 |
| Pressure Rate Faced | 42% | 31% |
| Completion % Under Pressure | 48% | 61% (But led to both INTs) |
Okay, what leaps out? Stafford put up more yards and TDs, but that pressure rate... 42%! Means on nearly half his dropbacks, someone was in his face almost immediately. Honestly, surprised he only took 4 sacks and threw that one pick. That Rams O-line needs work, period. Watching it live, some of those hits made ME wince. His completion percentage dipped hard under pressure, which is understandable when you're running for your life half the time.
Murray? His legs saved him repeatedly. That 56 rushing yards and the TD scramble were classic Kyler. Kept drives alive when the pocket collapsed. But those two interceptions... oof. Both came when he tried forcing throws while scrambling. That's the double-edged sword with his style. Makes magic happen sometimes, but also leads to turnovers. His passer rating reflects those picks. Felt like he missed a couple of open receivers downfield opting to run, but hey, when it works, it works.
Who came out on top? Statistically, Stafford edged it in the air, Murray on the ground and with his legs saving plays that were dead otherwise. But those two picks versus Stafford's one? That felt like a huge swing in the Rams' favor in a close game. Turnovers kill drives and morale.
Ground Game Grind: Running Back Production
Both teams lean on their run games differently. Rams trying to establish balance, Cardinals using it to set up Murray's play-action magic (and sometimes just handing it off). How did the backfields fare? Let's break down the carries.
Los Angeles Rams Backfield
| Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | Avg YPC | TDs | Receptions / Rec Yards | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyren Williams | 18 | 76 | 4.2 | 1 | 3 / 21 | 4 |
| Ronnie Rivers | 7 | 24 | 3.4 | 0 | 1 / 8 | 1 |
Kyren Williams was the workhorse, no surprise there. Solid 4.2 yards per carry isn't earth-shattering, but it kept them ahead of the chains mostly. That touchdown was a tough run up the middle – pure effort. McVay seems to trust him in critical short-yardage situations, which says something. Rivers got a few touches, nothing spectacular, but provided a breather.
Arizona Cardinals Backfield
| Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | Avg YPC | TDs | Receptions / Rec Yards | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Conner | 15 | 65 | 4.3 | 0 | 5 / 43 | 6 |
| Emari Demercado | 5 | 12 | 2.4 | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 |
James Conner. Man, I love his style. Just runs angry. Matched Williams pretty evenly on the ground with 4.3 YPC. Where he really stood out was catching passes out of the backfield – 5 catches for 43 yards. Became Murray's safety blanket on check-downs, especially when the Rams brought pressure. That's crucial production. Demercado was just spelling Conner, didn't get much traction. Honestly, the Cardinals offense flows best when Conner is heavily involved, both running and catching. Felt like they maybe could have given him *one* more carry inside the 5 instead of forcing a pass that got tipped.
Air Attack: Who Were the Go-To Targets?
Receiving stats can be misleading. A guy gets 80 yards, but did it come on one fluke play or was he consistently moving the chains? Let's look at targets, catches, yards, and air yards to see who Stafford and Murray relied on most.
Los Angeles Rams Receivers & Tight Ends
| Player (Position) | Targets | Receptions | Rec Yards | Yards After Catch (YAC) | Air Yards | TDs | Long | Catch Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puka Nacua (WR) | 12 | 8 | 105 | 42 | 63 | 0 | 27 | 66.7% |
| Cooper Kupp (WR) | 9 | 7 | 84 | 33 | 51 | 1 | 21 | 77.8% |
| Tyler Higbee (TE) | 6 | 4 | 39 | 17 | 22 | 0 | 14 | 66.7% |
| Demarcus Robinson (WR) | 5 | 3 | 41 | 15 | 26 | 1 | 24 | 60% |
| Tutu Atwell (WR) | 4 | 2 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 50% |
Puka Nacua seeing a whopping 12 targets! Stafford clearly looks for him, especially on those intermediate routes. He turned a lot of those catches into extra yards with decent YAC. Kupp’s efficiency stood out – catching nearly 78% of his targets. That connection with Stafford on timing routes is still deadly. That touchdown was vintage Kupp, finding the soft spot in the zone. Robinson made the most of his limited targets, snagging that TD. Higbee is reliable over the middle. Atwell? Didn't see much impact this game. Honestly, surprised he didn't get more deep shots, felt like the opportunity was there once or twice.
Arizona Cardinals Receivers & Tight Ends
| Player (Position) | Targets | Receptions | Rec Yards | Yards After Catch (YAC) | Air Yards | TDs | Long | Catch Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquise Brown (WR) | 11 | 6 | 88 | 25 | 63 | 0 | 28 | 54.5% |
| Trey McBride (TE) | 9 | 7 | 72 | 41 | 31 | 0 | 19 | 77.8% |
| Michael Wilson (WR) | 7 | 3 | 42 | 8 | 34 | 1 | 22 | 42.9% |
| Rondale Moore (WR) | 4 | 2 | 28 | 15 | 13 | 0 | 17 | 50% |
| Geoff Swaim (TE) | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 100% |
Hollywood Brown got the volume (11 targets) but the connection with Murray felt off. Only a 54.5% catch rate? He was overthrown deep once, and Murray missed him on a crucial 3rd down crosser. Frustrating for fantasy owners, I bet. The standout was easily Trey McBride. That guy is turning into a serious weapon. 7 catches on 9 targets, and a massive 41 YAC – he was dragging Rams defenders for extra yards consistently. Seems like Murray's new security blanket, especially on 3rd down. Michael Wilson hauled in the lone receiving TD for the Cardinals – nice contested catch. Moore had a couple of nice shifty plays but wasn't heavily featured. They really missed Zach Ertz as a second TE threat in the red zone; Swaim is purely a blocker.
Looking for those los angeles rams vs arizona cardinals match player stats? You can see the Rams spread it around more effectively among their top 3 targets (Nacua, Kupp, Higbee), while the Cardinals leaned heavily on Brown and McBride, with Conner adding significant receiving value from the backfield. McBride's YAC was a game-changer for their offensive flow.
Battle in the Trenches: Offensive & Defensive Lines
Games are won and lost upfront. Pressures, sacks, run stuffs – these are the unsung hero (or villain) stats. Let's see who controlled the line of scrimmage.
Quarterback Pressures & Sacks
| Team | Total Pressures Generated | Sacks | Players with Sacks | QB Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams Defense | 16 | 3 | Byron Young (1.5), Kobie Turner (1.0), Michael Hoecht (0.5) | 7 |
| Arizona Cardinals Defense | 12 | 4 | Zaven Collins (1.5), BJ Ojulari (1.0), Dante Stills (1.0), Cameron Thomas (0.5) | 9 |
The Rams generated more total pressures (16), mainly coming from their young edge guys (Young) and interior push (Turner). They flushed Murray often, forcing him to run or make off-platform throws, which contributed to his interceptions. That pressure rate we saw Stafford face earlier? Yeah, that was largely the Cardinals' front four getting home. They actually got 4 sacks, showing Stafford that desert turf a few times. Collins and Ojulari looked lively off the edge. Surprised the Rams didn't adjust their protection schemes quicker; Stafford took some absolute licks.
Run Defense Impact
| Team | Tackles For Loss (TFL) | Players with Key TFLs | Stuffed Runs (Gain ≤ 0 yds) | Avg Yards Allowed Before Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams Defense | 4 | Ernest Jones (2), Aaron Donald (1), Kobie Turner (1) | 5 | 1.8 yds |
| Arizona Cardinals Defense | 3 | Zaven Collins (1), Krys Barnes (1), Dante Stills (1) | 3 | 2.3 yds |
Ernest Jones was flying around for the Rams, racking up two tackles for loss. That low average yards before contact (1.8 yds) shows their D-line was disrupting runs early. Aaron Donald, while maybe not filling the sack column this game, still commanded double teams and clogged lanes. Cardinals did a decent job limiting Williams/early down gains, but they only managed 3 TFLs. Their linebackers need to be more disruptive against the run. Conner and Williams both found room if they got past that first wave.
Defensive Standouts: Coverage & Playmaking
Beyond the pass rush, who locked down receivers? Who made the crucial tackles? Who got burned? Let's look at the secondary and linebacker coverage stats.
Key Defensive Back & Linebacker Stats
| Team | Player (Position) | Total Tackles (Solo) | Passes Defended (PD) | Interceptions (INT) | Forced Fumbles (FF) | Targets / Receptions Allowed | Passer Rating Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA Rams | Ernest Jones (LB) | 11 (7) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 / 4, 38 yds | 92.9 |
| Quentin Lake (S) | 8 (6) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 / 1, 8 yds | 19.8 | |
| Ahkello Witherspoon (CB) | 5 (4) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 / 4, 42 yds | 39.3 | |
| AZ Cardinals | Kyzir White (LB) | 14 (10) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 / 5, 41 yds | 96.5 |
| Antonio Hamilton (CB) | 7 (5) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 / 3, 27 yds | 72.9 | |
| Jalen Thompson (S) | 6 (5) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 / 3, 21 yds | 118.8 |
Ahkello Witherspoon for the Rams had a HUGE game. 3 passes defended and that crucial interception? That was a game-swinging play, jumping a route intended for Hollywood Brown. His passer rating allowed (39.3) tells the story – he was sticky in coverage. Quentin Lake's pick was opportunistic, capitalizing on a bad Murray throw under pressure. Ernest Jones was a tackling machine, though he gave up some catches in coverage.
For the Cardinals, Kyzir White racked up tackles (14 total), but many were downfield after catches. Their secondary struggled to contain Kupp and Nacua consistently. Hamilton had a decent PD, but Thompson's passer rating allowed (118.8) shows he got beat a couple of times. They lacked that true lockdown presence against the Rams' top receivers. Needed a big play from Budda Baker, who was solid but unspectacular in this one.
Analyzing the los angeles rams vs arizona cardinals match player stats reveals how turnovers and coverage wins swung momentum. Witherspoon's INT felt like a backbreaker right when the Cardinals were driving.
Special Teams Snapshot
Often overlooked, but field position and kicking matter. No major return fireworks here, but let's check the legs.
| Team | Kicker | FG Made / Att | Long FG | XP Made / Att | Punter | Avg / Net | Inside 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA Rams | Lucas Havrisik | 2 / 2 | 48 | 2 / 2 | Ethan Evans | 45.6 / 41.2 | 1 |
| AZ Cardinals | Matt Prater | 1 / 1 | 51 | 1 / 1 | Nolan Cooney | 47.8 / 43.0 | 2 |
Nothing overly dramatic. Both kickers were perfect. Prater nailed that 51-yarder effortlessly – he's still got a cannon. Havrisik was reliable on his two tries, including a 48-yarder which helped. Punting was fairly even, though Cooney got two inside the 20, which is always helpful. Evans had one touchback that hurt the Rams' net slightly. No game-changing returns from either side.
Key Takeaways & What These Stats Mean
So, after all these numbers, what actually decided this Rams vs Cardinals matchup? The los angeles rams vs arizona cardinals match player stats point to a few critical factors:
- Turnover Battle: Rams won it (+1). Murray's 2 INTs vs Stafford's 1. Witherspoon's INT was massive. You simply can't give the ball away more than you take it and expect to win many close NFL games.
- Pressure Differential: While the Cardinals got home for more sacks (4 vs 3), the Rams generated significantly more total pressures (16 vs 12). This constant harassment disrupted Murray's rhythm more consistently and led directly to the INTs. Stafford faced brutal pressure but minimized catastrophic mistakes.
- Third Down Efficiency: Rams converted 45% (9/20), Cardinals only managed 33% (6/18). Those stops and conversions sustained drives or killed Cardinals momentum. McBride and Conner catches helped Arizona, but Rams were more consistent.
- Red Zone Execution: Rams went 2/3 (TDs), Cardinals went 1/3 (TD). That difference of potentially 7 points was crucial. Cardinals settled for a Prater FG once, and a failed possession another time. Rams punched in both Williams' run and Kupp's TD.
- Coverage Play: Rams DBs, specifically Witherspoon and Lake, made impact plays (PDs, INTs). Cardinals secondary couldn't consistently contain the Rams' receiving threats, especially on critical downs.
- YAC Battle: Rams skill players combined for ~110 YAC, Cardinals (led by McBride and Conner) had ~130 YAC. Cardinals actually won this battle, showing their playmakers' ability to create after the catch, but it wasn't enough to overcome the turnovers.
For fantasy managers scouring these los angeles rams vs arizona cardinals match player stats: McBride is legit, Kupp is still Stafford's safety blanket, Conner is a PPR machine, Kyren Williams is a solid RB2 with TD upside. Nacua gets volume but efficiency can waver. Murray's rushing provides a high floor, but the turnovers hurt. Stafford produces despite the line.
If you're wondering why the Cardinals lost despite Murray rushing well and McBride balling out? Turnovers and red zone inefficiency. Stats pinpoint the weaknesses. The Rams won despite OL issues because they protected the ball better and capitalized when Arizona made mistakes. Simple as that sometimes.
Your Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals Player Stats Questions Answered (FAQ)
Q: Who led the Rams in receiving yards against the Cardinals? A: Rookie sensation Puka Nacua led the way with 8 catches for 105 yards. Cooper Kupp was close behind with 7 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. See the full receiver breakdown above. Q: How many sacks did the Cardinals get on Matthew Stafford? A: The Cardinals defense sacked Matthew Stafford 4 times. They generated significant pressure throughout the game, contributing to Stafford's lower completion percentage under duress. Q: Did Kyler Murray throw any interceptions in the game? A: Yes, Kyler Murray threw two interceptions. One was picked off by safety Quentin Lake, and the crucial one late was snagged by cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. Q: How many rushing yards did James Conner have vs the Rams? A: James Conner rushed 15 times for 65 yards (a 4.3 yards per carry average). More significantly, he added 5 catches for 43 yards receiving, making him Arizona's second-leading receiver. Q: Who was the leading tackler in the Rams vs Cardinals game? A: Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White racked up a game-high 14 total tackles (10 solo). Rams linebacker Ernest Jones was close behind with 11 total tackles (7 solo) and forced a key third-down incompletion. Q: What were Cooper Kupp's stats against the Cardinals? A: Cooper Kupp had a very efficient day: 7 receptions on 9 targets for 84 yards and 1 touchdown. He consistently moved the chains and scored a key red zone touchdown. Q: How did Trey McBride perform for Arizona? A: Trey McBride was arguably Arizona's offensive MVP in this game. He caught 7 of 9 targets for 72 yards, with a massive 41 of those yards coming after the catch (YAC). He was a constant weapon for Kyler Murray. Q: Did Aaron Donald record a sack against the Cardinals? A: While Aaron Donald generated pressure and drew double teams, he officially recorded 0.0 sacks in this game. However, his presence significantly aided teammates like Byron Young (1.5 sacks) and Kobie Turner (1.0 sack). He did record one tackle for loss. Q: Where can I find the most detailed breakdown of Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats? A: You've found it! This article provides a comprehensive, position-by-position analysis of all key player stats like targets, pressures, YAC, tackles, turnovers, and efficiency metrics beyond just the basic box score numbers. We've aimed to cover everything a fan or analyst needs.Hope this deep dive into the los angeles rams vs arizona cardinals match player stats answered your questions and gave you a clearer picture beyond the final score. Stats tell stories, and this game was all about pressure, turnovers, and clutch plays in the secondary and red zone. Let me know if there's another specific matchup you want broken down like this!
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