INGLEWOOD, Calif. – With 37 seconds remaining and the Rams up four, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon went full extension to intercept a batted pass from Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray to ice the game for Los Angeles.
After losing by 31 points to the Cardinals in September, the Rams didn't quite return the favor on Saturday, but they did enough to scrape out a win and increase their likelihood of reaching the postseason. At 10-6, Los Angeles is first place in the NFC West and can clinch the division with 2.5 wins or more from these five teams in Week 17: Bills, 49ers, Browns, Vikings and Commanders.
After the game, head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford spoke to the media about the team's defense-heavy, divisional victory against Arizona. Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from the press conferences, which can be viewed below:
"What a great job by our defense. We really talk about making them snap it one more time, and I thought that was on display tonight. We got some key and critical stops, unbelievable blocked extra point by Michael Hoecht earlier in the game and then for Ahkello Witherspoon to come up with that interception... the guys executed in a big way." - McVay
McVay said the defense brought a cover-zero blitz, meaning there was no safety help over the top. At the five-yard line, that means there is very little room for error for individual matchups. Once safety Kam Curl knocked the pass away from tight end Trey McBride at the goal line, the ball was up for grabs, and Witherspoon was in the right place to make a play. McVay said the best way to describe this defense is "tough."
Offensively, he said there will be "a lot of learning opportunities" from this game. McVay would have liked to turn that last scoring drive, which culminated in a 25-yard field goal, into a touchdown, "but they did a good job, you give Arizona's defense credit." He added that the lack of overall execution wasn't up to par, and said "that'll always start with me."
In terms of the Rams' division-clinching scenarios, McVay jokingly said, "no, I'm just going to put my head in the sand." He will be watching to see if the Rams will clinch the NFC West tomorrow based on Strength of Victory, but didn't commit to whether starters will play in Week 18 if they do clinch tomorrow or Monday.
"We didn't do a whole lot great to be honest with you. Didn't run it great, didn't throw it great, but found a way to get a win and get enough points... (We) just (have to) execute and make plays. That's what it is. Obviously, I'm the guy that touches the ball every single play so I can do a whole lot better job of making plays and giving guys opportunities to make plays." - Stafford
The Rams have now failed to eclipse 20 points in three-straight games. They've won all three, as the defense has allowed an average of eight points per game over that span. Stafford placed a lot of the blame for Los Angeles' offensive woes on himself.
Still, he had some nice off-schedule plays on Saturday night, including a 12-yard scramble to the Cardinals' four-yard line that set up the Rams' only touchdown of the game. Stafford said "I don't know if I could have gotten in (the end zone) or not. I was as surprised as anybody that I was still running, but just trying to get a first down at that point." Stafford said a defensive unit that is "mentally and physically tough" was "timely today," making big plays when the opportunities arose.
Stafford won't be watching the games tomorrow unless his daughters want to, which he said is unlikely. Still, he'll "keep an eye on some scores" to know where the Rams' playoff scenario stands.
