The Rams defeated the Cardinals on their home turf in Arizona for the third year in a row, marking the club's second sweep over its division rival in the past 14 years. With the impressive win, L.A. improves to 9-3 on the season, nabbing its first winning record since 2003. Check out seven of the most eye-opening stats from the team's 32-16 victory on Sunday.
1. FIRST TIME SINCE 2003
For the first time in over a decade the Rams have reached nine wins — securing the club's first winning season since 2003. Before today, 42 players on the Rams 53-man roster had not experienced a winning NFL season. But under first-year head coach Sean McVay, the club has already more than doubled its win total from the last season and maintains a one-game lead in the NFC West standings.
2. 100 YARDS IS THE NEW NORMAL
In Sunday's contest, running back Todd Gurley recorded 158 yards from scrimmage on 25 touches — 74 rushing and 84 receiving — marking his ninth game of the season with over 100 yards. With his performance against the Cardinals, the Georgia product has already recorded eight more games with 100 or more yards from scrimmage this year than he did in the last.
Plus, not only did Gurley lead the team in rushing and receiving yards, but he also recorded a team high six receptions on the day.
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- NOT ONE, BUT TWO BLOCKED KICKS**
The Rams' special teams unit continued to showcase why it is widely considered the No.1 unit in the NFL with a blocked field goal attempt and a blocked extra point attempt. Defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker blocked kicker Phil Dawson's extra point attempt during the Cardinals' second scoring drive of the day, while nose tackle Michael Brockers blocked a field goal attempt by Dawson in the fourth quarter.
This season Los Angeles' special teams unit, under coordinator John Fassel, has blocked four kicks including two punts, one field goal and one extra attempt.
4. GOFF REACHES A SEASON MILESTONE
Quarterback Jared Goff completed 21-of-31 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns for an overall QB rating of 96.2. On Sunday, Goff eclipsed 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in a single season becoming the first quarterback to do so since Sam Bradford (3,702 yards, 21 touchdowns) in 2012 and the quickest to do so since Marc Bulger in 2006. He also notched his 12th passing touchdown on the road, which is the sixth most by a Rams quarterback. Goff now trails Jim Everett by one touchdown for the fifth most in franchise history.
5. ROOKIES CONTINUE TO MAKE AN IMPACT
L.A. continued to see high production from its 2016 draft class on Sunday. Rookie wide receiver Cooper Kupp caught five passes for 68 yards, including two long passes for 20 or more yards. He now has nine receptions this season with a gain of at least 20 yards. Rookie tight end Gerald Everett was also an important contributor, scoring the team's first touchdown of the contest.
The Rams are now the first team in the league this season to have two rookies with multiple touchdown receptions: Kupp (three) and Everett (two)
**6. SACK CITY
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The Rams had six sacks in a single game for the first time since the club's season opener in 2015. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald and defensive end Ethan Westbrooks both sacked quarterback Blaine Gabbert twice, while outside linebacker Robert Quinn and defensive end Matt Longacre added on a sack each.
Donald now has 8.0 sacks on the season, which leads the team. He also leads all defensive tackles in the NFL in sack totals.
7. RAMS GET BACK ON TRACK WITH TURNOVERS
After recording no takeaways in last week's contest against the Saints, the Rams defense was back on track this week — recording two interceptions to bring its season total to 21 takeaways. Safety Lamarcus Joyner caught his third interception of the season on the Cardinals' first play from scrimmage, returning it 46 yards to the Arizona 23-yard line.
Then Alec Ogletree intercepted Gabbert in the second quarter and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown. The play marked Ogletree's first interception and touchdown of the season and the second pick-six of his career. He joins Joyner and cornerback Trumaine Johnson as the only other Rams defenders with a pick-six this season.
