Rams Hold Off Cardinals With Late Interception to Stay Atop NFC West

The Los Angeles Rams spent most of the second half struggling to move the ball, while their defense bent but didn’t break to protect a narrow lead.

Arizona even pushed Los Angeles deep into its own territory in the closing minute, needing just a single big play to steal the win.

Ahkello Witherspoon and the Rams barely survived, clinging to the game and to their place in the NFC West race. Witherspoon came up with a diving interception off a deflected pass in the end zone with just 37 seconds remaining, sealing a tense 13-9 victory over the Cardinals on Saturday night.

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Puka Nacua piled up 129 receiving yards and Kyren Williams scored the lone touchdown for the Rams (10-6), who fought through a rough night offensively and endured a shaky fourth quarter to notch their fifth straight win.

“We really didn’t do a lot well, if I’m being honest,” admitted quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 189 yards in Los Angeles’ ninth victory in 11 games. “Didn’t run it great. Didn’t pass it great. But we managed to get enough points and come out on top.”

The Rams close the regular season at home against Seattle (9-7) next weekend, though they might already have Sean McVay’s fourth division crown wrapped up.

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If the Bills, Browns, Vikings, Commanders and 49ers combine for three wins — or two wins and a tie — across the next two days, Los Angeles clinches the NFC West thanks to its strength-of-schedule tiebreaker, regardless of what happens against Seattle.

Even without that help, the Rams remain in control: the Seahawks must beat Los Angeles and get outside assistance to take the division while preventing McVay’s squad from reaching the postseason for the sixth time in eight years.

The Rams avoided turning their finale into a winner-take-all clash by fending off Arizona, which played a superb defensive game just one week after being eliminated from playoff contention.

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Kyler Murray passed for 321 yards but threw two late interceptions for the Cardinals (7-9), who managed only three points from three fourth-quarter trips inside Rams territory.

Arizona advanced to the Los Angeles 5 in the final minute, but the Rams sent an all-out blitz on first down. Murray’s pass ricocheted off tight end Trey McBride’s helmet, and Witherspoon came down with a fingertip interception in the end zone — upheld on review despite the ball brushing the ground while between his hands.

“You never really know with those reviews,” Witherspoon said. “I felt like I had it. You could see it in my celebration. But once the replay came up, I wasn’t sure. Anytime the ball hits the ground, it’s in question.”

McBride reached two milestones for Arizona — his 100th reception and his first touchdown of the year — finishing with 12 catches for 123 yards. Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. added 96 yards receiving.

“The ball just didn’t bounce our way,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “We had the chance to win at the end, and they made a play. It hurts because we’re close, but not quite there. When we play our style, we can compete with anyone — but it still doesn’t equal wins.”

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Williams’ 14th rushing touchdown of the season came 3:23 before halftime, capping the Rams’ best drive of the night.

McBride got Arizona on the board in the third quarter with a 1-yard catch, finally scoring his first TD on his 98th reception of a record-breaking year for Cardinals tight ends.

The Cards cut the deficit to 10-9 early in the fourth on Chad Ryland’s short field goal after another promising drive. Rams rookie Joshua Karty answered with his second field goal of the game with 6:41 to play.

Arizona later reached the Rams 40, but stalled out. Murray’s desperation heave toward the end zone on fourth down was picked off by rookie Kam Kinchens with 3:02 left. Kinchens returned it to the 11 instead of batting it down, costing Los Angeles valuable field position, and the Rams punted the ball back with just over a minute left.

“I thought we were definitely going to win that one,” Murray said. “We marched down the field, felt unstoppable, and then one unlucky bounce ended it. Just a bad break.”

Hoecht’s Big Play

Linebacker Michael Hoecht blocked an extra-point try in the third quarter — his NFL-leading third blocked kick of the season, the second-most in Rams history.

Injuries

• Cardinals: CB Garrett Williams was checked for a concussion. RB James Conner, dealing with a knee issue, dressed but only managed four ineffective carries.
• Rams: RT Rob Havenstein sat out with a shoulder injury from practice. Backup Joe Noteboom started and was flagged for three holding penalties.

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The Rams have taken three straight and 11 of their last 15 against Seattle. Arizona finishes its season at home against San Francisco.