BREAKING: Rams bulldoze Cardinals 45-17, seize NFC lead with ruthless balance
The Los Angeles Rams just sent a message that echoed across the NFC. In a charged Week 14 road game in Glendale, they crushed the Arizona Cardinals 45-17. Matthew Stafford threw three touchdowns. Rookie Puka Nacua hauled in two of them. Rookie back Blake Corum pounded out 128 yards and two scores. This was power and precision, rolled into four quarters at State Farm Stadium.
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A statement win in the desert
I watched the Rams flip the game with a furious middle stretch. They scored 35 straight points across the second and third quarters. The plan was clear. Take the air, then take the ground. Stafford used quick rhythm throws to get the offense rolling. Then the line took over and Corum closed the door with patient, punishing runs.
The box score tells the story. Los Angeles stacked up 530 total yards. Arizona managed only 51 on the ground. When the Rams can toggle between speed and muscle, they look like the most complete team in the conference.
The Rams moved to 10-3 and reclaimed the top spot in the NFC.
Stafford’s control, the rookies’ punch
Stafford was at ease, and sharp. He finished with 281 yards and three touchdowns, and he spread the ball without forcing plays. Nacua’s two scores showed the trust between quarterback and receiver. One came on a crisp slant with perfect timing. Another arrived on a sideline win, a veteran route from a young star.
Corum gave the offense its heartbeat. He stayed square to the line, set up his blocks, then burst through clean lanes. His two touchdowns were more than points. They were proof that the Rams can lean on the run when the game slows.
The numbers that mattered
- 45-17 final score, Rams over Cardinals
- Matthew Stafford, 281 yards and three touchdowns
- Puka Nacua, two touchdown catches
- Blake Corum, 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns
- Rams, 530 total yards, Cardinals, 51 rushing yards
Los Angeles strung together 35 unanswered points through the middle quarters. That surge broke Arizona’s will and the game.
Culture and composure on the sideline
There was a lighter scene in the middle of the storm. After a Stafford touchdown, his young daughter broke into a sideline dance that drew smiles up and down the bench. It was a small, human moment, and the traveling fans loved it. Football is results and grit, but nights like this remind you it is also family and joy. 😊
Sean McVay coached through an illness and kept his staff on the same page. The Rams adjusted tempo, mixed personnel, and managed the snap count. The communication was crisp. That is not easy when your head coach is not at full strength.
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The NFC picture, and why this matters
This win is about more than a blowout. It says the Rams can hit a higher gear than most teams. The top seed offers a first round bye and home field. Los Angeles looks built for January. The line is protecting. The defense is tackling in space. The quarterback is in control, and the rookies are no longer rookies.
Arizona fell to 3-10 with a fifth straight loss. The Cardinals could not find traction on early downs, and that led to long, hopeless thirds. Without a run game, the playbook shrinks. The Rams squeezed routes, rallied to the ball, and closed windows. It turned into a long day for the home sideline.
Circle next week. The Rams host the Lions in a game with heavy playoff weight.
What comes next
The Rams return to Los Angeles to face Detroit. Expect a physical game, with seeding on the line. The Cardinals will try to reset on the road against Houston. Pride matters, even when the math does not. For Arizona, finding a base run package and rhythm throws is step one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score and where was the game?
A: Rams 45, Cardinals 17 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Week 14.
Q: Who were the top performers?
A: Matthew Stafford threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns. Puka Nacua caught two scores. Blake Corum ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
Q: How did this affect the standings?
A: The Rams improved to 10-3 and moved back to the top of the NFC. The Cardinals fell to 3-10.
Q: What swung the game?
A: A 35-point run by the Rams in the middle quarters, powered by balance on offense and tight tackling on defense.
Q: Any notable sideline moments?
A: Stafford’s daughter danced after a touchdown, a fun spark on a dominant day, and Sean McVay coached effectively despite an illness.
The Rams wanted clarity, and they delivered it. A road rout, stars playing like stars, and young pieces growing by the snap. If you are hunting for a team with answers in December, Los Angeles just raised its hand.
