Matthew Stafford Leads Rams to 37-20 Victory Over Cardinals, Securing NFC Playoff Spot
Matthew Stafford Shines as Rams Clinch NFC Playoff Spot with Win Over Cardinals
In a decisive display, Matthew Stafford passed for 259 yards and threw four touchdown passes, two of which were caught by Colby Parkinson, leading the Los Angeles Rams to a 37-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. With this win, the Rams secured the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Stafford’s performance was complemented by Tyler Higbee, who returned from injury to contribute five receptions for 91 yards and a crucial touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Rams finished the regular season with a 12-5 record and will now face the NFC South champion Carolina Panthers, who ended their season at 8-9, in the wild-card round.
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua shined as well, making a remarkable one-handed touchdown catch amidst his 10 receptions for 76 yards. Stafford’s performance saw him surpass Dan Marino to hold the seventh spot on the NFL’s career touchdown passes list. This season, he has thrown for an impressive 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns, ranking third in league history for a quarterback aged 37 or older.
Despite clinching their third consecutive playoff berth last month, the Rams faced challenges heading into the postseason, having lost their last two games. Coach Sean McVay opted against resting his starters in the final regular-season matchup to reverse the team’s recent slump.
While the Rams made key defensive and special teams errors early, Stafford’s leadership resulted in 21 unanswered points, solidifying their victory. This marks the third occasion under McVay that the Rams have won at least 12 games in a season, as they look to build on past Super Bowl appearances in the playoffs.
On the opposing side, Arizona’s Jacoby Brissett threw for 243 yards and connected with Michael Wilson for a 43-yard touchdown. Wilson’s performance allowed him to surpass the 1,000-yard mark for the season. However, the Cardinals, finishing with a dismal nine-game losing streak, closed out 2026 with their coach, Jonathan Gannon, facing uncertainty regarding the future of the franchise.
The Rams, seeking redemption from an earlier loss to the Panthers, will aim to regain momentum as they prepare for the playoffs. The Cardinals, on the other hand, will look to make critical decisions regarding their roster and coaching staff as they head into the offseason.
Injuries
The Cardinals faced losses with rookies Will Johnson and Channing Tindall suffering knee injuries in the first half. The Rams’ roster was also impacted, with wide receiver Jordan Whittington and special teamer Shaun Dolac sidelined due to knee injuries sustained during the game.
