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INGLEWOOD (AP) — John Wolford handed for 231 yards and rushed for 56 extra in his NFL debut, and the Los Angeles Rams are headed to the playoffs with an 18-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Troy Hill returned an interception 84 yards for a landing to guide yet one more dominant defensive efficiency by the Rams (10-6), who earned their third postseason berth in 4 years below coach Sean McVay.
Wolford bounced again from an interception on his first profession throw with a gradual effort instead of Jared Goff for the Rams, who would have gotten into the playoffs even with a loss as a result of Green Bay beat Chicago whereas a couple of minutes have been left at SoFi Stadium.
Despite failing to attain an offensive landing for the second straight sport, Los Angeles nonetheless snapped its two-game skid heading to the postseason with its eighth consecutive win over Arizona (8-8).
Los Angeles’ fearsome protection led the best way, scoring 9 factors on Hill’s pick-6 and a security whereas holding the Cardinals to 214 yards. Coordinator Brandon Staley’s unit completed the common season permitting the fewest factors (296) and whole yards (4,511) within the NFL.
Kyler Murray handed for 87 yards after sitting out for many of the first three quarters with an ankle damage for the Cardinals, who missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. Arizona would have clinched a postseason spot with a victory.
After Murray performed the opening sequence, backup Chris Streveler handed for 105 yards in his first vital NFL motion. The backup additionally threw that essential interception to Hill shortly earlier than halftime.
Murray returned for the fourth quarter, however his first drive resulted in a blocked area purpose by A’Shawn Robinson, and he couldn’t get the Cards any nearer to a breakthrough.
Jonathan Ward scored Arizona’s solely landing lower than 5 minutes into the sport.
Wolford was compelled to take his first NFL snaps on this essential sport after Goff injured his thumb final week. The Wake Forest product confirmed why McVay is excessive on him — after a giant early bump, that’s.
Wolford’s debut began horrifically when he threw a horrible interception to linebacker Jordan Hicks on his first dropback deep in Rams territory. Ward scored two performs later, however Wolford shook it off and led the Rams on three prolonged drives within the first half along with his arm and his toes.
Wolford racked up 47 yards dashing within the first half — greater than Goff managed in any sport of his five-year profession.
Murray mentioned he would play all week regardless of a leg damage, and he appeared to run simply through the Cardinals’ first sequence. But whereas Wolford was throwing his interception, Murray was strolling to the locker room for examination of an ankle damage.
Streveler took over and hit Ward with a brief go for an 11-yard TD. The Rams’ protection took management after that, permitting simply 47 yards for the remainder of the half.
Los Angeles additionally acquired a security when Arizona left guard Justin Push held Robinson ultimately zone moments after Cam Akers fumbled on the 1. Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd additionally triggered a $1.25 million bonus in his contract with one other sack, his tenth of an excellent season.
Hill then put the Rams forward when he tipped Streveler’s underthrown go to himself and rambled downfield for his second pick-6 in opposition to Arizona this season. The landing was the third in six video games for a six-year professional who had by no means scored earlier than this stretch.
Murray returned for the fourth quarter and instantly drove the Cardinals deep into Rams territory, however Jalen Ramsey made a outstanding deflection on third down earlier than Robinson blocked a field-goal try with 9:01 to play.
Wolford made a handful of huge performs down the stretch, together with a scramble for a primary down on third-and-8 with 2:40 to play, all however sealing the victory.
INJURIES
Cardinals: WR Larry Fitzgerald didn’t play due to a groin damage in what might have been the ultimate sport of his spectacular 17-season profession. … Hicks injured his neck shortly after his interception within the first quarter, and he didn’t return.
Rams: They performed with out their main passer, main rusher (Darrell Henderson) and main receiver (Cooper Kupp).
UP NEXT
Cardinals: A protracted offseason after a gifted workforce nonetheless produced their fifth consecutive non-winning season.
Rams: A visit to Seattle for a postseason date with the Seahawks subsequent weekend.
(© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This materials might not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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