Rams Fall 18-16 to Cardinals, Drop to NFC West Last Place
Updated
Updated · NFL.com · Oct 19
Rams Fall 18-16 to Cardinals, Drop to NFC West Last Place
3 articles · Updated · NFL.com · Oct 19
Summary
Los Angeles slipped to 2-4 and the bottom of the NFC West after an 18-16 home loss to Arizona, a game it entered as a 12.5-point favorite.
Sean McVay pinned the defeat on self-inflicted mistakes as the Rams' offense stalled against a defense that entered Week 6 last in points allowed and 26th in yards allowed.
Two fourth-quarter breakdowns proved decisive: Tyler Higbee lost a fumble on a promising drive, then Josh Wallace's unnecessary roughness penalty helped set up Chad Ryland's 43-yard winner with 47 seconds left.
Special-teams trouble also compounded the loss after new kicker Blake Grupe hurt his knee on Devin Duvernay's 40-yard return, forcing the Rams to chase points and use punter Ethan Evans on a late extra point.
The defeat deepened a sharp early-season slide for a preseason Super Bowl favorite, turning what looked like a get-right spot against a one-win Cardinals team into another warning sign.