That’s it. The regular season is over. The Los Angeles Rams (12-5) completed their final game with a 37-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals (3-14). The first three quarters weren’t pretty but it did not need to be. The Rams just needed to win. And they needed to find a renewed sense of energy. They found it and it came from their most trusted weapon – Matthew Stafford. Stafford threw four more touchdowns, giving him 46 in his 17th NFL season. Stafford has made his case for MVP honors. And in my opinion, it really isn’t a race. Just check out these top plays from Week 18 to further see why…
1. Rams force a strip-sack fumble on Arizona’s opening drive, (Cardinals 0 – Rams 0), 13:10 left in 1st Quarter
The Rams wasted no time making an impact on defense. On 3rd & 7 at ARI 26, Josiah Stewart stripped the ball from Jacoby Brissett and Kobie Turner recovered deep in Cardinals territory. This set up a Harrison Mevis 34 yard field goal to give the Rams an early lead.
2. Puka Nacua makes 1 handed TD grab from Matthew Stafford on 4th & Short, (Cardinals 6 – Rams 13), 1:22 left in 2nd Quarter
The Rams run game was repetitively stuffed in the first half. On a critical 4th & goal situation in the first half, Stafford found Nacua on a fade route for the Rams’ first touchdown. With a defender draped all over him, Nacua made the catch with 1 hand, making it look effortless.
3. Stafford’s 21-yard TD pass to Colby Parkinson to retake the lead, (Cardinals 20 – Rams 23), 0:42 left in 3rd Quarter
The Rams lost momentum in the 3rd quarter surrendering two touchdowns to the Cardinals. But at the end of the 3rd quarter, Stafford hit tight end Colby Parkinson for a go-ahead score, swinging momentum firmly back to Los Angeles.
4. Braden Fiske sacks Jacoby Brissett on 3rd down, (Cardinals 20 – Rams 23), 14:17 left in 4th Quarter
Braden Fiske has been in & out of the Rams lineup the last few weeks because of an ankle injury but the second year defensive tackle was able to play more snaps in Week 18 and he made his impact felt with a huge sack on 3rd & 13 to give LA the ball back and build its insurmountable lead.
5. Tyler Higbee 22-yard TD to expand the lead in the 4th quarter, (Cardinals 20 – Rams 30), 10:39 left in 4th Quarter
Stafford’s third touchdown of the afternoon came on 2nd & 10 from the Arizona 22 yard line. Stafford dropped a dime to the veteran tight end who lunged the football for the pylon, giving Los Angeles a two score lead.
What other plays stood out for you in this Rams Week 18 win? Add your comments below about the game and the team’s top plays!
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