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The Rams may very well be favorites to challenge the Buccaneers for bragging rights in the NFC. But on Sunday, even in their own home, they were no match for their rival Arizona Cardinals, who came in having lost eight straight to Los Angeles but were dominant from the get-go. With Kyler Murray flashing MVP-caliber athleticism and the defense frustrating Matthew Stafford early and often, Arizona claimed a decisive 37-20 victory to stake its claim as the new frontrunner of the NFC West, not to mention one of the last unbeaten teams remaining in the NFL through four weeks.
Here are some takeaways from the Cardinals' big win, which establishes them as a real title contender out of the NFC:
Why the Cardinals won
Kyler Murray. OK, so that's oversimplifying it, but the third-year quarterback was spectacular for much of the day, out-dueling Matthew Stafford early and often with both his arm and legs. After starting 12-of-13, Murray comfortably kept Arizona in front, proving he belongs in a crowded MVP conversation after four games by moving at will against an oft-vaunted Rams "D." Kliff Kingsbury deserves just as much credit for leaning on the run game as an assist, with Chase Edmonds and James Conner combining for 170 yards and two scores as a thunder-and-lightning duo. And how about that defense? No one's mistaking Arizona for the Steel Curtain, but veteran defensive backs like Budda Baker and Byron Murphy Jr. stepped up when it mattered, frustrating Stafford and keeping weapons like Cooper Kupp under wraps for most of the afternoon.
Why the Rams lost
In a game that always figured to be high-scoring or at least back and forth, they started slow and couldn't make up for it. Sean McVay's offense has been as explosive as any this year, especially early in games, but Stafford's targets had trouble finding much separation out of the gate, and the QB himself might've gotten a touch greedy on his lone deep-ball pick of the game. Darrell Henderson was consistently smooth on the ground, but it didn't matter as much with Robert Woods, DeSean Jackson and Cooper Kupp relatively neutered. The biggest reason for concern, however, lies on defense. Jalen Ramsey had some solid reps, and there were glimpses of their talent on some key spots, like a red-zone stand at the end of the first half. But they had no answers for Murray or the Cardinals' deep group of wideouts a week after slowing Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
Turning point
The Rams were down just four points early in the second quarter, matching the Cardinals' first couple scores with long drives of their own after Stafford's early pick. Then Sony Michel got the ball to start their first drive of the quarter and lost the ball on a hit from Markus Golden. Budda Baker scooped up the fumble, and Arizona proceeded to add another touchdown five plays later, with James Conner pounding it in. That suddenly put the visitors up 21-10, and in firm control of the game.
Play of the game
Kyler Murray was responsible for a handful of highlight-reel moves, as usual, but there might not have been a prettier pass from the Cardinals' star QB than his touchdown loft to Maxx Williams, which thread the needle between a slew of Rams defenders:
What's next
The Rams (3-1) will be back in action in short order, visiting the rival Seahawks (2-2) on Thursday night to kick off Week 5. The Cardinals (4-0), meanwhile, will get an NFC West showdown of their own, hosting the 49ers (2-2) on Sunday afternoon. And it's fair to say, not only because of their performance Sunday but because of the way Murray and Kingsbury have fired on all cylinders this year, that the Cardinals deserve consideration as one of the NFC's most dangerous contenders.
