Cardinals defense humiliated by Stafford and Rams in 45-17 loss

Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Kobie Turner (91) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

GLENDALE – Coming off a loss last week, the Los Angeles Rams came into Sunday’s Week 14 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals with blood on their mind. Outside of Arizona’s surgical 67-yard touchdown opening drive, it was all Los Angeles. The Rams scored a season-high in points, recorded the most rushing and scrimmage yards on the season, and their largest margin of victory since 2022.

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Quarterback Matthew Stafford dissected the Cardinals defense, scoring a touchdown on six of the team’s first eight drives. The two-time Pro Bowler had 197 passing yards before halftime, 281 in total, while the offense had 312 in the same timeframe, finishing with 534 scrimmage yards.

Arizona’s defense allowed the most yards in the Jonathan Gannon era, and the first time since 2020 the franchise has surrendered 500+ yards. The Cardinals falls deeper into despair in the 45-17 loss to Los Angeles, having their fifth straight home loss to fall to 3-10.

Wide receiver Michael Wilson remained the only worthy mention for Arizona, recording 11 catches for 142 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The 25-year-old reclaim the WR1 spot and went right back to putting up big numbers. Regardless, Sunday was an embarrassment, humiliating and continues to prove that the Arizona Cardinals are a joke.

Rams dominant in every way

Each team’s opening drive showed their contrasting styles. The passing leader since Week 6 in Jacoby Brissett looked all the part in the Cardinals opening drive. The 32-year-old threw three straight completions for 64 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown pass to Michal Wilson. While Arizona attack through the air, Los Angeles went to the ground.

In the Rams opening drive, Kyren Williams and Blake Corum dominated by rushing for 54 yards on five straight runs. It didn’t matter if the Cardinals knew it was coming, the running back duo found a way. Los Angeles ended up bailing out Arizona once it got to the goal line, electing to throw three straight passes instead of sticking to the run game for three incompletions and settling for a field goal.

Opening drive went in the favor of the Cardinals, but the advantage wouldn’t last long. On the Rams next offensive possession, they stuck with their MVP Matthew Stafford and the passing game. Stafford would find wide receiver Puka Nacua on back-to-back plays for a total of 50 receiving yards.

The plays by Nacua opened up the box for Los Angeles to return back to the run game. Corum was given three straight run plays, highlighted by a two-yard touchdown to give his team their first lead of the game.

Arizona’s offense was able to tie the game up on a field goal, but the defense couldn’t handle the high-power weapons Los Angeles had.

On the Rams third straight scoring drive, outside of a holding penalty on the second play, they were perfect. Stafford went six-of-six for 54 passing yards, including a one-hand snag by Nacua to place his team at the goal line. Similar to last time, Los Angeles kept it on the ground in the redzone, this time allowing Williams to slam in the 2-yard touchdown run for the 17-10 lead.

Much like the rest of the first half, the Cardinals offense couldn’t respond and the Rams took advantage. After a three-and-out by Arizona, Los Angeles started at its own eight-yard line with under two minutes to go. Stafford would remain sensational, five-of-six for 82 yards, bringing his total to 197 passing yards. The 37-year-old saved his best pass for his last of the first half, a beautiful lob to Nacua in a middle of a sea of Cardinals secondary for the 28-yard touchdown and the 24-10 halftime lead.

From bad to ugly for Cardinals

The Rams didn’t need much help, but the Cardinals defense would do it anyways with careless penalties. Two rookies were called for a flag, Will Johnson and Jordan Burch, that gifted Los Angeles free first downs. Head coach Sean McVay knew he could get whatever he wanted, so he just let his second-year halfback Corum take control and get his team down the field.

Arizona would force only its second third down of the game inside its own 10-yard line, but Stafford wasn’t fazed and found tight end Colby Parkinson in the endzone for Los Angeles fifth straight scoring drive.

Outside of their opening 67-yard drive, the Cardinals would only have 97 total yards for the next seven drive. The offense had six total scrimmage yards in the third quarter alone. Desperate to make a move, Brissett tried to find Wilson on a 3rd-down and was intercepted by linebacker Nate Landman. The turnover was immediately responded by a 31-yard touchdown pass by Stafford to Nacua to add insult to injury.

The Cardinals would respond to an embarrassing sequence of plays by going on a three-and-out, allowing the Rams to continue their wrath. Almost an identical script for Los Angeles, as it only took one play to put points on the board. This time it was a 48-yard house call by Corum, to record his first game of over 100+ rushing yards in his career.

Most of Los Angeles starters headed to bench, which allowed Arizona to start to move the chains and even reach the endzone. Wilson was able to snag his second of the day, where he proceeded to react accordingly like it was a funeral, which it was with five straight home losses for the Cardinals.

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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports