Matthew Stafford, Rams crush Cardinals to win NFL wild game

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) – The Rams took a 20-point lead at Arizona with four and a half minutes remaining at the buzzing SoFi Stadium. Matthew Stafford’s 13-year quest for his first playoff win was all but complete after Los Angeles’ dominant performances on both sides of the ball.

The back four still ran for third and long through the heart of the Cardinals defense in a fun, dangerous scramble that eventually ended with the first goal.

Even when under tremendous pressure after the season, Stafford never forgot to have fun. He’s strong enough to carry it all – and the Rams are riding him to Tampa Bay.

Stafford hit 202 yards and two touchdowns and took another score in his first playoff win, and the Rams made it through the Wild-card round with a 34-11 win over Arizona on Monday night.

“What a team effort,” Stafford said. “Our defense played well tonight. The special teams basically established a score… and we were good enough to attack to score some points and win. Just happy to be able to move on. ”

Odell Beckham Jr. and Cooper Kupp hit the ball against NFC champion West Rams (13-5), who will visit the defending Super Bowl champions Buccaneers on Sunday for a spot in the NFC championship game.

David Long also scored in a 3-meter intercept while the Rams’ defense harassed Kyler Murray on his disastrous playoff debut. Los Angeles took a 28-0 lead before flying in the first playoffs at SoFi, which will host Super Bowl 56 next month.

Stafford was excellent in his first playoff game with the Rams, completing 13 of his season’s lowest 17 passes without interception and despite three drops. He scored his first goal in the TD playoffs since January 2012 in a goal-scoring hit, and he coldly directed LA’s offense while claiming his first playoff win. in a career that began with 12 years in Detroit, where his Lions lost 0-3 after the season.

“I think he did a great job leading the way,” McVay said. “He is still a great player for me, and he always was before this game. I think that’s good so you guys don’t have to talk about it anymore. So glad to do this with him. He’s our leader out there, and we wouldn’t be here without him. “

After a disappointing end to the regular season, the Rams’ group of big stars came together to shine around Stafford in the post-season.

Beckham had four 54-yard catches, including the first playoff catch of his career to score the Rams’ first. He also threw a 40-yard pass in his own first win of the season.

Linebacker Von Miller added six tackles and a key header in his first post-season appearance since winning the MVP award in Super Bowl 50.

Murray went 19 of 34 for 137 yards and two interceptions for the Cardinals (11-7), who followed their 10-2 start with a 1-5 slip. Arizona has lost on the road for the second time in 10 games this season under coach Kliff Kingsbury.

“We didn’t do anything right in the first two quarters,” said Kingsbury. “The Rams handled the game and the atmosphere was good. … As an insult, we were just out of sync on a few early things that could have changed the game. We never got lost, and they did some great plays. ”

James Conner rushed to TD for the Cardinals, who have had a playoff win since the 2009 season. Murray went 7 with 17 of 28 yards and threw two bad first-half intercepts that gave the Cardinals a 21 lead -0 with only 40 yards of fouls before they got their first goal.

“Losing is one thing, but being unable to even compete is another,” says Murray.

Los Angeles went ahead with three touchdowns when defender Troy Reeder’s pressure caused Murray to blindly launch the ball out of the bottom area to avoid safety. Long made an early interception and strode to score the shortest pick-6 in NFL playoff history.

The Rams overcame their second wave of attack with Stafford’s precise 4-yard throw for Beckham. The veteran has six TD catches in his last eight games since he joined the Rams midway through the season.

After Long’s TD, the Cardinals were finally knocked out first seven minutes before half-time, but Rams manager Marquise Copeland had the first intercept of his career on a deflected pass. .

“I feel like we’re dominating there,” said Aaron Donald, the All-Pro Rams defensive midfielder. “I feel like the midfielder is not comfortable at all.”