Sean McVay elected to play starters against a three-win Arizona Cardinals team. The game was closer through three quarters than any realistic person would have expected; however, the Los Angeles Rams found their offensive groove into the fourth quarter and came out on top 37-20. They scored 14 points in the final quarter.
The victory seals the fifth seed in the NFC playoff picture for Los Angeles. They’ll travel to face the Carolina Panthers in the wildcard round of the postseason. The Rams lost in Carolina earlier this year and will look to exorcise demons and make a playoff run.
But before we turn our attention to the postseason, let’s dive deeper into the individuals that helped LA score a win in the regular season finale.
Winners
Pass rush
The Rams defense sacked Jacoby Brissett six times. Pressure was frequent and unrelenting. Jared Verse had one of his best pass rush outings on the season. Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Desjuan Johnson, and Josaiah Stewart were also all active throughout the game.
The Cardinals threatened and held a lead into the third quarter. This is not a team that has any business beating the Rams. While the score was close until late, the pass rush certainly bought time until the offense could find their footing late.
This is one of the most encouraging outcomes from the game. Pass rush is of the upmost importance into the playoffs.
Puka Nacua, WR
Puka Nacua was one of the most consistent producers for the Rams on offense in both halves. He made an impressive one-handed touchdown grab in the red zone. Nacua finished with 10 catches on 11 targets for 76 yards. He also added another 24 yards on two rushes that helped the offensive come alive in the fourth quarter.
Blake Corum, RB
LA lacked energy offensively at the start of the second half. Blake Corum, who was questionable coming into this game and probably should have rested ahead of the postseason, was the spark plug that got things back on track. He ran with angry intent and fought for extra yards, finishing with 69 total yards on 14 touches.
The duo of Kyren Williams and Corum will be tough to defend in the playoffs. They are stylistically just different enough to challenge defenses in multiple ways.
Tyler Higbee, TE
There was a stretch during Tyler Higbee’s extended absence that it seemed he wasn’t missed at all. In recent weeks the tight end production without him waned, and his return was an emphatic reminder why he has been such an important offensive piece for this team in the Sean McVay era.
Higbee caught five of six targets for 91 yards and a touchdown. He ripped off multiple long gains to break open the Arizona defense.
Losers
Jarquez Hunter, RB
It was positive to see Corum contribute in a big way. He probably shouldn’t have played in this game and should have rested for the start of the playoffs.
But Corum did play and rookie Jarquez Hunter was again a healthy scratch. It’s telling that the Rams would rather put a possibly hobbled Corum on the field instead of giving Hunter his first touches. There are simply no encouraging signs in regards to the rookie’s development. It’s rare for healthy fourth-round running backs to have zero touches through 18 weeks of the regular season.
Colby Parkinson, TE
It’s probably harsh to put Parkinson on the “losers” list on a day where he scored two touchdowns; however, it’s clear that Higbee is performing at a higher level and can win individually without plays specifically schemed for him. Parkinson also has not been sure-handed lately (especially in the Seahawks game). He dropped another pass close to the goal line that forced LA to settle for a field goal in the first half.
With Higbee healthy and Terrance Ferguson hopefully soon to be, what is Parkinson’s role in the offense moving forward? Does he become an afterthought?
Justin Dedich, RG
The interior of the Arizona defensive line dominated Dedich at right guard for nearly this entire contest. Dedich was outmatched often against Calais Campbell and others. The backup guard was also called for a penalty that negated a long Nacua catch.
Nate Landman, MLB
Did the Rams extend Nate Landman too early? The veteran linebacker continued a recent trend of missing a lot of tackles and was porous in coverage (allowed a score). Where is the physicality that Landman brought to the defense in the season’s early going? Has he grown tired late into the year?
Ahkello Witherspoon, CB
Ahekllo Witherspoon recorded an interception, sure. However, a better throw from Brissett to Michael Wilson on that play scores a touchdown. Witherspoon was beat badly, and then Wilson and Brissett connected for a long touchdown over Witherspoon later.
Now, no Rams corner really was able to cover Wilson. The promising young receiver dominated the Rams secondary in both matchups. I shutter to think how Witherspoon and LA’s corners will fare against some of the physical receivers they will come across in the postseason.
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