The Rams recorded one of their best performances of the season on Sunday, defeating the Cardinals 33-0. And while the Los Angeles offense currently ranks first in points scored through seven weeks, all eyes were on the defense this weekend. Check below for the seven most interesting defensive stats from Week 7's shutout win.
1. Sunday marked the Rams first shutout win in two years, and first division shutout in 30 years
The 33-0 win over Arizona marked the team's best defensive showing since December of 2014 when the Rams shutout the Washington Redskins. That game was the second of back-to-back shutouts, as the previous week the Rams beat the Raiders 52-0. Los Angeles last shutout against a division rival was in October 1988 when the Rams defeated Atlanta 33-0.
2. The Rams held Arizona to a season low of 193 yards
Sunday's contest was the first time that the franchise has held an opponent to less than 200 yards since 2015. It was also the third time this season that L.A. has held an opponent under 250 yards. The Cardinals were only able to record 10 first downs throughout the game and went 3-of-12 on third downs.
3. Five shutouts against the Cardinals in franchise history
It has been almost 40 years since the Rams last shutout their division rival, the Cardinals. Week 7 was just the fifth time in franchise history that Los Angeles has shutout Arizona with the last time coming in September 1979
with a 21-0 Rams win.
4. Joyner returns from injury and nabs an interception
Free Safety Lamarcus Joyner — who missed the last three games with a hamstring injury — returned to game action on Sunday and recorded his second interception on the season. Joyner intercepted quarterback Carson Palmer at the Arizona 47-yard line and returned it 29 yards to set-up the Rams' first touchdown of the night.
5. Even with a broken thumb, Barron records an interception
Linebacker Mark Barron intercepted quarterback Drew Stanton at the Arizona 38-yard line and returned it 10 yards. The shutout marks the third game this season that the Rams defense has collected two interceptions.
6. Three Rams players have two interceptions this season
The Rams have three players this season with two interceptions — cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, Barron and Joyner each have two. On Sunday, Joyner joined teammate Robey-Coleman as one-of-four players in the NFL with multiple 25 yard interceptions returns.
7. The Rams got to the quarterback three times on Sunday
L.A. entered Week 7 tied for No. 2 in the NFL with 20.0 sacks and added three more on Sunday. Defensive tackles Aaron Donald and Matt Longacre, as well as defensive end Ethan Westbrooks each notched a sack. Longacre leads the team this season with 4.0 total sacks.
Bonus: The Rams are 5-2 for the first time since 2003.
