Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats
Introduction
The Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats tell a clear story about a tight game and big efforts. In the December 28, 2024 matchup, the Rams held on for a 13–9 victory. The game featured strong defense and careful offense from both teams. This article breaks that match down. You will get player stats, key plays, and smart takeaways. I keep the language simple and clear. Every paragraph is short and easy to read. I use plain words and short sentences
. If you want deep numbers fast, this article is built to help. The focus phrase los angeles rams vs arizona cardinals match player stats appears naturally throughout.
Game snapshot: final score and big picture
The final score was 13–9 in favor of the Los Angeles Rams. Both defenses played tough. Offense was limited by pressure and smart coverage. The Rams did enough to win. The Cardinals fought hard but could not convert in key moments. This was not a high-scoring game. It became a battle of field position and clock control. Fans saw few long drives. Both teams relied on short plays and runs when safe. Special teams also mattered. A late interception sealed the result. These facts come from the official game recap and box score.
Passing leaders and what the numbers say
Quarterback play shapes many games. For this Rams vs Cardinals matchup, the passing numbers were modest. The Rams’ passing yardage came in controlled chunks. The Cardinals also had limited pass yards. Big, risky throws were rare. Short, safe completions were common. Quarterbacks took few deep shots. The stat lines show conservative play calling. Completion percentage and turnovers were key
. The Rams protected the ball well. The Cardinals struggled to finish drives through the air. These passing trends show why the game stayed low scoring. The detailed passing box score lists attempts, completions, yards, and interceptions for both teams.
Top rushers and how the running game impacted the match
Rushing helped both teams move the chains. The Rams used a steady mix of runs and short passes. Their lead back picked up tough yards. The Cardinals tried to attack on the ground too. But the Rams’ defense held in key spots. Yardage on the ground set up manageable third downs. Both teams ran more in short-yardage situations. This reduced turnover risk.
The running stats show attempts, yards, and any goal-line carries. Running well in this game meant winning small battles. Those yards often set up field goal tries rather than long touchdown drives.
Receiving leaders: who made the catches that mattered
In this matchup, a few receivers made the difference on short fields. Big plays were rare. Most catches were five to fifteen yards. The top receivers showed clean hands and good route running. They helped keep drives alive. Tight ends also had roles in short-yardage passing. Targets were concentrated on a few trusted hands. That focus makes sense in a tight game. When the ball must be secure, the quarterback
trusts a smaller set of receivers. The stat sheet shows targets, receptions, yards, and any red zone catches. Those numbers explain which receivers helped most.
Defensive stars and turnover impact
Defense ruled this game. The Rams’ defense made plays when it mattered most. A late interception preserved the Rams’ win. The Cardinals’ defense played well too. Both teams pressured the quarterback and limited gains after the catch. Tackles for loss and sacks shortened many drives. Forced punts and turnovers created the game’s key moments. Defensive backs covered tightly downfield. Linebackers and defensive linemen set the tone up front. Defensive stats in the box score show tackles, sacks, and turnovers.
Special teams and field position
Field position decided many short drives. Punts and returns set up scoring chances. Kickers had to be precise in a low-scoring match. Missed or made field goals mattered a lot. The punter’s work helped the Rams flip the field. Coverage units kept returns small. When offense stalls, special teams become crucial. The stat line for special teams shows net punting, return yardage, and field goal attempts. Teams that win a field-position battle often force opponents into long drives. That trend showed here.
Drive chart: how both teams moved the ball
Most drives in this matchup were short to medium in length. Neither team had many long touchdown drives. Third-down conversions were limited. Many possessions ended in punts or field goals. The run-pass balance stayed tilted toward safe plays. The drive chart shows time of possession and number of plays per drive. These numbers explain why scoring was low. A few key third-down stops changed momentum. The Rams converted enough near midfield to get scoring chances. The Cardinals’ drives often stalled in the red zone.
Key moments and turning points
The late interception was the game’s turning point. It stopped a Cardinals drive and sealed the Rams’ win. Another key moment was a big third-down stop by the Rams’ defense in the third quarter. Special teams fair catches and punts also mattered. Each small play added pressure in a tight game. Coaches chose safe plays in risky spots. These choices show up in the stat sheet as conservative passing and short runs. Momentum shifts were small but decisive.
Matchups won and lost: where games are decided
Winning matchups often decide close games. The Rams won more one-on-one battles at the line. That helped them stop runs and pressure the passer. The Cardinals had success on a few early plays. But in the final quarters, Rams defenders made more tackles for loss. Special teams also tilted a few spots. Offensive line wins allowed short passing lanes to open. Tight coverage left the Cardinals with few big plays. Matchup-level stats show pressures, block wins, and receiver separation numbers.
Coaching calls and game plan themes
Both coaches called safe, smart games. They leaned on defense and short passing. The Rams prioritized ball control and clock management. The Cardinals tried to find space with short passes and runs. Late-game decisions mirrored the score and time left. Coaches chose lower-risk plays to avoid turnovers. This plan is visible in play selection and in the stat sheet. When teams play for field position, the box score reflects more punts and fewer explosive plays.
Player grades and who earned praise
Several Rams defenders earned praise for clutch plays. The late interception is one highlight. Defensive linemen collected pressures that shortened Cardinal drives. A few Rams skill players made key catches to keep drives alive. For Arizona, some young players showed grit but lacked consistent execution. Grades from analysts focus on effort, assignment play, and clean execution. The official stat lines and highlight reels help form these grades.
What the numbers mean for each team next
Numbers from this match tell coaches what to fix. The Rams can build on defensive wins and improve red-zone offense. The Cardinals need better third-down conversions. Both teams might adjust play callers and look for more explosive play calls. The match player stats show where each roster is strong. Coaches will weigh yards per play, turnovers, and sack rates. These metrics guide free agent moves, practice priorities, and week-to-week game plans. Teams watch these stats closely to tweak their next game plan.
How fans and media reacted
Fans often focus on the big plays. In this game, reaction highlighted defense and the final interception. Media notes pointed to disciplined play and poor offense across both teams. Analysts praised coaching for avoiding risky moves. Fans debated missed chances and safe play calls. Social posts and local coverage emphasized the defense-first nature of the contest. Recaps from team sites and sports outlets captured this tone.
Personal takeaways and real examples
I watched the box score and highlights. I liked how the Rams adjusted in the second half. They used small gains to run the clock. That is smart football in a close game. The Cardinals showed fight. But they needed more clean plays in the red zone. In games like this, one turnover decides the result. The interception was the biggest example. For players, the lesson is clear: win your matchup. For coaches, the lesson is to keep trusting the defense when offense stalls. These are practical takeaways I trust from the stats and game film.
LSI and related keywords to know
Here are helpful related terms you might see when digging deeper: “Rams vs Cardinals box score”, “Rams Cardinals final stats”, “Rams defensive stats”, “Cardinals passing yardage”, “third down conversions”, “time of possession Rams Cardinals”, and “game recap Rams vs Cardinals.” These keywords match the data you find in box scores and recaps. They help find play-by-play logs, advanced metrics, and expert analysis from trusted sports sites.
Who led the Rams in total yards in the game?
The box score shows the official yard leaders. In this match, the Rams’ top yardage came from short passes and steady runs. The team did not rely on one big play. Instead, multiple players shared the total yardage. The box score lists exact yards for the quarterback, top rusher, and leading receiver.
Which Cardinals player had the best stat line?
The Cardinals had bright spots despite the loss. A receiver or running back often posts the best personal stat line. That player had most of the team’s receiving or rushing yards. The box score names the team’s leading yard gainer. Even in a low-scoring game, a single player can lead in both receptions and yards.
How many turnovers were there?
Turnovers decide close games like this one. The Rams forced a late interception that sealed the win. Both teams avoided multiple turnovers. The official turnover count is in the game box score. It lists interceptions and fumbles lost. For this contest, turnovers were limited, but the single late interception was decisive.
Did any player record multiple sacks?
Sacks are key in tight games. The box score shows sacks by play and by player. Defensive linemen and linebackers often share these numbers. In this matchup, a few defenders reached the quarterback, but there were not huge sack totals. The exact sack list is in the box score under defensive statistics.
Where can I find the full play-by-play?
The full play-by-play and drive log show every snap, play, and penalty. They record each drive and the time of play. These logs highlight the exact moment of the late interception or any key punt. Play-by-play is the best way to follow each possession step by step.
How should coaches use these stats to plan next week?
Coaches look at third-down rates, red-zone efficiency, and turnover margins first. They also look at pressures and missed tackles. For this game, the Rams should refine red-zone offense. The Cardinals should improve third-down conversions. Teams use film and stats to pick practice focuses. They plan plays that suit their strengths and try to fix weaknesses revealed by the box score.
Conclusion and call to action
The los angeles rams vs arizona cardinals match player stats provide a clear guide to what happened. Defense won the day. The Rams’ late interception is the game’s most important play. Numbers show why coaches must balance risk and reward. If you want to dig deeper or need a breakdown of a specific player, I can highlight a single player’s snaps or show a drive-by-drive chart next.
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