The Los Angeles Rams were also without their regular start at quarterback Jared Goff, but full-back John Wolford was impressive, going for 231 yards and running for 56 on his first NFL run – and after throwing interception with his first throw
Last updated: 04/01/21 2:01 am
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Kyler Murray walks off the field injured after a sack from Morgan Fox.
Kyler Murray walks off the field injured after a sack from Morgan Fox.
The Los Angeles Rams secured their place in the NFC playoffs at the expense of the Arizona Cardinals, who lost quarterback Kyler Murray to injury, with an 18-7 victory Sunday.
Murray sat out for most of the first three quarters with a reduced ankle injury on Arizona’s opening tour. He came back in the game with the Cardinals touring in the fourth quarter but was severely limited as he passed for 87 yards.
The Rams were also without their regular start at QB, Jared Goff, but full-back John Wolford was impressive, throwing for 231 yards and tearing for 56 more for the first time, kicking back from being picked up by his first throw in the NFL.
- Rams passing: John Wolford, 22/38, 231 yards, 1 INT
- Rush Leader: John Wolford, six carries, 56 yards
- Head gets: Cam Akers, four catches, 52 yards
Despite scoring an offensive touchdown for the second straight game, the Rams (10-6) were still slipping a two-game losing streak to earn their third postseason trophy in the four years under head coach Sean McVay.
1:02 Troy Hill interception returned 83 yards to the endzone for the Rams.
Troy Hill interception of Cardinals QB backup Chris Streveler returned 84 yards for a sailboat in another strong defensive performance by Los Angeles.
- Cardinals passing: Chris Streveler, 11/16, 105 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Rush Head: Kenyan Drake, 10 carries, 36 yards
- Head gets: Dan Arnold, three catches, 46 yards
The Rams defense added up nine points through pick-six and Hill’s safety, while Matt Gay fired through a hat-trick of field goals that proved more than enough points against Arizona’s (8-8) unbeaten offense on offense.
Jonathan Ward scored their only goal less than five minutes into the game – Arizona benefiting from the short field position off the back of the Wolford interface – but the Cardinals made just 214 yards of total offense. in the competition as a whole.
Scoring summary
| FIRST COMPANY | |
|---|---|
| Cardinals 7-0 Rams | Chris Streveler TD 11-yard going to Jonathan Ward (extra point) |
| THE SECOND | |
| Cardinals 7-3 Rams | Matt Gay 28-yard field goal |
| Cardinals 7-5 Rams | Safety |
| Cardinals 7-12 Rams | Troy Hill 84-yard interface return for TD (extra point) |
| DATE | |
| Cardinals 7-15 Rams | Matt Gay’s 34-yard field goal |
| FOUR FOUR | |
| Cardinals 7-18 Rams | Matt Gay’s 27-yard field goal |
Wolford’s first start for the Rams began terribly when he threw a terrifying interception to linebacker Jordan Hicks on the first deep dropback in the Rams area. But he fired it and led the Rams on three long runs in the first half.
1:28 Jordan Hicks picked up John Wolford of Rams on his first NFL throw, then Chris Streveler found at Cardinals Jonathan Ward for a sailboat.
One of these resulted in Cam Akers sinking at the one-yard line, but Los Angeles gained safety when Arizona left guard Justin Push to keep A’Shawn Robinson in the endzone times thereafter.
Hill put the Rams ahead by half when he grabbed Streveler’s unstoppable pass for himself and raced down the floor for his second-six pick against Arizona this season and third in six. games.
In Gay’s third field goal, in the fourth quarter, the Rams got up 18-7 and encouraged Murray’s return. He sent the Cardinals down deep into the Rams area, but Robinson blocked a nine-minute field goal attempt to play for all but to end the tournament.
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