LOS ANGELES – The Rams (9-7) closed out their 2019 season and time at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with a 31-24 win over the Cardinals (5-10-1) Sunday afternoon.
With 84 yards on eight catches and a touchdown, Tyler Higbee set a new single-season franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end with 734. USC alum and wide receiver Robert Woods added seven catches for 67 yards and one touchdown in his 100th NFL game, while wide receiver Cooper Kupp led all receivers with 99 yards on seven receptions plus a touchdown.
Quarterback Jared Goff completed 29 of 45 pass attempts for 319 yards in addition to his three touchdowns.
Defensively, the Rams created five takeaways, including three fumble recoveries, one each from safety Taylor Rapp and linebackers Cory Littleton and Samson Ebukam, and two interceptions, one each for Rapp and cornerback Darious Williams.
Defensive lineman Michael Brockers (ankle) and linebacker Cory Littleton (chest), both pending free agents, left the game with injuries and did not return.
A 47-yard field goal by kicker Greg Zuerlein gave the Rams an early 3-0 lead. However, an unsuccessful fake punt allowed the Cardinals to take over on downs from the Rams' 23 yard line, and two players later quarterback Kyler Murray completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dan Arnold for a 7-3 Arizona lead with 3:54 left in the first quarter.
On the drive which saw Higbee set a new single season franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end, the Rams regained the lead 10-7 with a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Malcolm Brown early in the second quarter.
Late in the second quarter, the Rams extended their lead to 10 on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Kupp. The scoring opportunity was set up by a Taylor Rapp fumble recovery at the Cardinals' 8-yard line.
Los Angeles secured a second fumble recovery in as many defensive possessions after Arizona center A.Q. Shipley's snap bounced off Murray's chest and Littleton jumped on it. However, L.A. was unable to capitalize as Zuerlein's 47-yard field goal with 1:08 left sailed wide right.
Taking over at their own 37 following the missed field goal, the Cardinals would convert a 31-yard attempt to cut the Rams' lead to seven by halftime.
The Rams opened the second half with an interception by Williams, but the possession ended with them punting from the Cardinals' 48-yard line. Arizona's ensuing offensive series ended with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Murray to wide receiver Damiere Byrd, tying the game 17-17 with 4:43 left in the third quarter. It would be on the only points of the period.
Facing a 1st and goal from the Cardinals 9 at the start of the fourth quarter, L.A. regained the lead 24-17 with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Higbee.
The Cardinals reached the Rams' 37 and appeared poised to tie the game again, but Murray overthrew wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on 3rd and 9 from the Rams' 42 and was intercepted by Rapp. Los Angeles capped off the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Woods to extend their lead to 14.
Although, Arizona answered with a one-yard touchdown run by Drake to cut L.A.'s lead to seven, the Rams chewed up just enough of the remaining clock to prevent the Cardinals from forcing overtime and secure the win.
