The Rams slammed the door on Week 18 with a clear message at SoFi Stadium. Sean McVay kept his word, played his stars, and left with a confident win over the Cardinals. Arizona held tight for three quarters, then stumbled late. Los Angeles did not blink. The Rams got what they came for, rhythm and a result that sharpens their playoff edge.
McVay’s bet on starters set the tone
McVay said he would ride with his core no matter the seeding picture. He backed it up. The offense moved with purpose from the opening drive. The ball came out on time. The run game punched the front. The Rams looked like a team treating Week 18 as a rehearsal with real stakes.
Matthew Stafford managed the game with calm feet and quick decisions. Puka Nacua kept finding space on crossers and outs. Cooper Kupp won in the slot and on third down. Kyren Williams changed pace and forced arm tackles. It was not flashy every snap. It was crisp, direct, and focused on timing. That is exactly what you want before a knockout game.
Los Angeles chose rhythm over rest, then executed that plan. The payoff was real tempo, clean communication, and a finish that traveled like a playoff performance.
Arizona’s fourth quarter fade
The Cardinals were right there into the final stretch. The defense got stops in the middle frames. The offense hit on a few chunk plays. Then the fourth quarter arrived, and the floor fell out. Drives stalled on third and medium. A costly penalty wiped out a gain. Protection slid late, and the timing slipped.
Kyler Murray fought to extend plays and keep the ball moving. Tight end Trey McBride worked open on in-breakers. James Conner ran hard between the tackles. Rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. drew attention that opened space for others. But the Rams tightened in the red zone and on money downs. Arizona needed one clean, long drive to flip the game. Los Angeles never gave it to them.
The Rams defense finished the job
The front four leaned on depth and effort. The edges set firm lines. The interior stayed square and forced checkdowns. Tackling was sharp in space. It was not a sack party. It was smart team defense that forced Arizona to earn every yard. When the Cardinals needed explosives, they got layers. When they tried to grind, they got stonewalled.
What this means for the Rams in January
This was more than a win. It was a final live rep for a young core around established stars. The Rams have built an identity with speed in the pass game and balance on the ground. They also have a defense that rallies and limits mistakes. That travels in the postseason.
- Stafford’s timing with Nacua and Kupp looks sharp
- Williams gives structure on first down and in the red zone
- Protection held up against pressures and twists
- Communication on defense was clean late in the game
The playoff math will settle shortly. The key is this, Los Angeles avoided rust, protected the ball, and finished. McVay wanted rhythm more than rest. He trusted his stars to get through healthy and dialed in. They delivered. The Rams walk into Wild Card weekend with momentum, continuity, and a clear plan.
The Cardinals’ offseason starts now
For Arizona, this game crystalized the to-do list. The Cardinals have their quarterback. They have a blue-chip rookie wideout. They have a tight end who can work the middle of the field. They competed. They also struggled to close, and that has been the theme too often.
Jonathan Gannon’s group needs more bite up front to finish games. They need pass rush wins without blitzing. They need steadier protection for Murray, especially late. A little more speed at corner would help against timing attacks like the Rams. Add those pieces, and fourth quarters can look very different next fall.
Three pillars for Arizona in the spring, protect Kyler, add a premier edge, and build depth at corner and along the interior offensive line.
Culture check
There is a foundation in place. Murray’s leadership and playmaking give Arizona a chance every week. The young skill talent is growing. The next step is learning how to close. That means fewer self-inflicted wounds, better two-minute execution, and trust in the call sheet when the game tightens. Today was a lesson. The Cardinals stayed in it, then let it slip.
Final word
The Rams chose to tune up, not tune out, and it showed. Their starters set the tempo, their finish sealed it, and their seed improved because of it. Arizona had a shot, then missed the moment in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles leaves Week 18 with a clean runway into the playoffs. The Cardinals leave with clarity on what must change before they take the next step.
