LA Rams QB Jared Goff drops Cards, in driver’s seat for NFC West

The LA Rams QB Jared Goff earned a badly needed win in Arizona and puts the team in the driver’s seat for the NFC West

The LA Rams have performed well in the twelfth game of the season since head coach Sean McVay took over the team. The Rams have been on the road to face the Cardinals in three of the four games, and so far the Rams have not lost any. In fact, since taking over the reins of the Rams, McVay has not lost to the Cardinals.

The Rams’ victory over the Arizona Cardinals in State Farm Stadium was desperately needed by the team. A loss would have plunged the Rams to a record of 7-5, dropped them to third place in the NFC West, and created a two-game losing streak for the team hoping to return to the NFL Playoffs after a one-year hiatus. Coach McVay called out his quarterback for turning the ball over too often. and Goff responded.

Goff flawless

After the Rams offense sputtered and backfired against the San Francisco 49ers, there were real concerns about how the Rams would respond on the road to the Arizona team with an improving defense and a dangerous offense. After falling behind by seven points, and missing a series of three consecutive passes.  But even as the Rams failed to jump out to an early lead, the team did show some positive signs.

Goff responded well as the Rams found success at running the ball. Soon, he was finding receivers open all over the field, which allowed the team to tie up the score and then take the lead before halftime.  In the second half, Goff continued to find nine Rams receivers, completing 37 of 44 passes for 351 yards and a touchdown. That’s a completion rate of nearly 79 percent. While both Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods were favorite targets, the Rams did target tight ends Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee a combined 10 completions of 13 attempts for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Rams rookies respond

In the second half, it appeared to be all LA’s way as the Rams jumped out to a 17-7 lead, and then a 24-14 lead. But with each score of the Rams, the Cardinals found a way to close the margin to three points.  Finally, DB Troy Hill intercepted Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray for a pick-six and the game was all but over.

The Rams found ways to get both rookies Cam Akers and Van Jefferson involved in this offense. Akers carried the ball 21 times for 71 yards and a touchdown. He also caught the only pass thrown his way for 22 yards.  Jefferson caught four of five passes thrown his way for 27 yards.

The Rams won this one by a score of 38 to 28, but despite the close score this one never felt truly at risk of a loss. Even as the Cardinals jumped out to an early lead, the Rams still had the feel of the more talented team.

The Rams will now host the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football, who just defeated the LA Chargers by the lopsided score of 45-0 to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Cardinals must travel to New York to take on the Giants, who upset the Seattle Seahawks 17-12 in Seattle. The 2020 NFL Season is getting hot. Thankfully, the LA Rams are too.