No Matthew Stafford TD? A Cooper Kupp rushing TD? Rams acquire a weird a single vs. Cardinals

In the fast aftermath, the Rams did not wrestle to discover precisely descriptive words.

They knew their 20-12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at State Farm Stadium lacked panache. Spotlight-reel plays were being much from aplenty.

It amounted to a boring — however victorious — show in the desert.

Not that the Rams have been complaining. Not soon after profitable the NFC West opener and increasing their file to 2-1.

“A odd video game,” Rams coach Sean McVay stated.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford concurred.

“Definitely a weird circulation to it,” he stated.

No argument from basic safety Nick Scott.

“A small unusual for each se,” Scott stated.

How unusual?

For the first time considering the fact that 2020, the previous of his 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions, Stafford did not pass for a landing.

Star receiver Cooper Kupp scored a 20-yard touchdown — on a jet sweep.

The Rams pressured only just one turnover — a blocked punt by Michael Hoecht.

But many thanks generally to a defense that stifled quarterback Kyler Murray and saved the Cardinals out of the conclusion zone, the Rams remained a winning perform in progress with designs on returning to the identical stadium in February for Super Bowl LVII.

Soon after having routed by the Buffalo Expenditures in their opener, and virtually blowing a 21-issue lead in a victory more than the Atlanta Falcons, the Rams neutralized the Cardinals and did plenty of on offense to have self-confidence heading into their Oct. 3 match against the San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Evening Soccer.”

“A Tremendous Bowl’s not gained via the first three months,” stated receiver Ben Skowronek, who caught four passes for a staff-greatest 66 yards. “There’s a good deal of area for development.”

Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) breaks up a move supposed for Cardinals huge receiver A.J. Green in the 1st 50 percent.

(Ross D. Franklin / Affiliated Press)

The Rams went into the activity soon after making a flurry of moves for the duration of the week to bolster the offensive line, and the restricted end, running back again, cornerback and edge-dashing positions.

Even with the absence of three hurt defensive backs — protection Jordan Fuller and cornerbacks David Prolonged and Cobie Durant — the Rams retained Murray in look at and limited the Cardinals to 4 industry ambitions.

Rookie Derion Kendrick began at cornerback and built a crew-most effective 9 tackles — several on receiver Marquise Brown, who caught 14 passes for 140 yards. Kendrick was being evaluated for a concussion after the game, a Rams official said.

Next-calendar year cornerback Robert Rochell and not too long ago signed cornerback Grant Haley also played extended snaps.

Murray finished 37 of 58 passes for 314 yards. He rushed for only 8 yards as the Cardinals fell to 1-2.

Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald pursues Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. Donald had a sack of Murray for the 100th of his vocation.

(Ross D. Franklin / Affiliated Press)

“It was not ideal at instances,” said defensive lineman Aaron Donald, who recorded his 100th occupation sack, “but overall I feel we had been stout.”

Explained linebacker Bobby Wagner: “To hold a team like that to subject aims is huge-time.”

The Rams started out rapidly and scored on Kupp’s touchdown operate for a 10- lead. But two other 1st-50 percent drives stalled, and they settled for industry targets and a 13-6 halftime lead.

The Rams went a few and out on their to start with possession of the second 50 %, and the Cardinals capitalized with a area purpose to pull to inside of 4 points.

The Rams’ offense appeared completely mired right until Stafford built the engage in of sport on a third down. He spun to stay away from a sack and then fired a sidearm go to Kupp for a first down. On the up coming perform, tight conclusion Tyler Higbee turned a short pass into a 26-yard gain.

Functioning back again Cam Akers then carried the ball on four consecutive plays, finishing the push with a 14-garden touchdown operate for a 20-9 guide.

Akers, who rushed for 61 yards in 12 carries, experienced a possibility to seal the victory but fumbled at the one-yard line.

“Just got greedy,” he reported. “Tried to stick the ball out. It is one thing that simply cannot come about.”

The Rams hung on to give McVay his 11th victory in 12 game titles towards the Cardinals.

Stafford done 18 of 25 passes for 249 yards.

“I’m absolutely sure everybody on this crew sits there and goes, ‘Man, there’s a couple plays,’ ” they would like they had back, Stafford explained. “It’s awesome to be capable to do that when successful the soccer sport and cleanse all those mistakes up.”

McVay was delighted with how the offense begun the match. The finish could use operate.

“There are techniques of playing additional comprehensive online games,” he reported, “and that is what we’re looking up.”

Now, it is on to engage in the 49ers, who have defeated the Rams 3 moments in a row at Levi’s Stadium.

“San Fran is a entire ‘nother beast — they’ve received their complete distinctive way of taking part in,” Scott said. “We’re enthusiastic for that matchup.

“We’re constantly energized for it.”