Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams, Wild Card 2021
Arizona Cardinals
Away
11
Los Angeles Rams
HomeWon, advanced
34
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 11 |
| Rams | 7 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 34 |
ARI 11LAR 34 Final
Passing leader
24.3PPR pts
13/17, 202 YDS, 2 TD, 1 RUSH TD
Top fantasy scorer
17.1PPR pts
5 REC, 61 YDS, 1 TD
Cardinals leader
11.1PPR pts
6 REC, 51 YDS
Defensive playmaker
David Long Jr.
1 INT, 1 TD, 1 TKL
Rams 34, Cardinals 11: Los Angeles controls the 2021 Wild Card from start to finish
Los Angeles led 21–0 at halftime after a 14-point second quarter and outscored Arizona 13–11 after the break to win 34–11. The Rams finished with a 375–183 edge in total offense and averaged 6.6 yards per play.
Arizona didn't get on the board until the third quarter.
The gap showed up everywhere. The Cardinals went 0-for-9 on third down and committed two turnovers, while the Rams kept the ball for 35:46 and finished without a giveaway.
The win was Matthew Stafford's first career playoff victory. It started the run that ended with the Rams winning Super Bowl LVI.
The two teams meet again in Week 6 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.
Key advantages
- +3.2 yards/play LAR 6.6 · ARI 3.4
- +2 turnover margin LAR 0 turnovers
- +192 total yards LAR 375 · ARI 183
Game Highlights
Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube
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Why the Rams Won
Los Angeles won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.
| Cardinals | Stat | Rams |
|---|---|---|
| 3.4 | Yards per play | 6.6 |
| 2 | Turnovers | 0 |
| 183 | Total yards | 375 |
| Other team stats | ||
| 54 | Plays | 57 |
| 0% | Third-down conversion | 46% |
| 24:14 | Time of possession | 35:46 |
Scoring Summary
The Rams scored four touchdowns and two field goals; the Cardinals scored one touchdown and one field goal.
| Time | Team | Play | ARI | LAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | ||||
| 3:50 | LAR | Matthew Stafford → Odell Beckham Jr., 4-yard TD Takes leadMatt Gay XP | 0 | 7 |
| 2nd quarter | ||||
| 11:58 | LAR | Matthew Stafford 1-yard TD run Extends leadMatt Gay XP | 0 | 14 |
| 7:59 | LAR | David Long Jr. 3-yard interception return TD Extends leadMatt Gay XP | 0 | 21 |
| 3rd quarter | ||||
| 10:36 | LAR | Matthew Stafford → Cooper Kupp, 7-yard TD Extends leadMatt Gay XP | 0 | 28 |
| 4:11 | ARI | James Conner 2-yard TD runKyler Murray → Antoine Wesley, 2-pt conversion | 8 | 28 |
| 4th quarter | ||||
| 14:55 | LAR | Matt Gay 37-yard FG Extends lead | 8 | 31 |
| 10:13 | ARI | Matt Prater 55-yard FG | 11 | 31 |
| 4:21 | LAR | Matt Gay 46-yard FG Extends lead | 11 | 34 |
Playoff game: these points don't count in most season-long fantasy leagues.
Fantasy Points vs Expected
Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.
- Biggest overperformer+13.0Matthew Stafford24.3 PTS vs 11.3 xFP
- Biggest underperformer−10.1Kyler Murray6.1 PTS vs 16.2 xFP
- Highest expected volume18.5 xFPChristian Kirk11.1 PTS scored
| Player | PTS | xFP | vs xFP | Snap% | Usage | Rte% | Pass att | Car | Car% | Tgt | Tgt% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian KirkARI · WR | 11.1 | 18.5 | −7.4 | — | 32% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 11 | 32% |
| Kyler MurrayARI · QB | 6.1 | 16.2 | −10.1 | — | 34 att | — | 34 | 2 | 11% | 0 | 0% |
| Cam AkersLAR · RB | 10.5 | 14.3 | −3.8 | — | 45% car | — | 0 | 17 | 45% | 2 | 11% |
| Cooper KuppLAR · WR | 17.1 | 11.8 | +5.3 | — | 39% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 7 | 39% |
| Matthew StaffordLAR · QB | 24.3 | 11.3 | +13.0 | — | 17 att | — | 17 | 6 | 16% | 0 | 0% |
| Rondale MooreARI · WR | 8.2 | 10.1 | −1.9 | — | 18% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 6 | 18% |
| Sony MichelLAR · RB | 5.8 | 8.3 | −2.5 | — | 34% car | — | 0 | 13 | 34% | 0 | 0% |
| Odell Beckham Jr.LAR · WR | 17.0 | 7.2 | +9.8 | — | 22% tgt | — | 1 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 22% |
| Chase EdmondsARI · RB | 2.8 | 6.8 | −4.0 | — | 44% car | — | 0 | 8 | 44% | 1 | 3% |
| Tyler HigbeeLAR · TE | 7.6 | 6.7 | +0.9 | — | 22% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 22% |
| Zach ErtzARI · TE | 5.1 | 6.7 | −1.6 | — | 12% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 12% |
| Eno BenjaminARI · RB | 5.4 | 5.9 | −0.5 | — | 22% car | — | 0 | 4 | 22% | 2 | 6% |
| James ConnerARI · RB | 9.4 | 5.9 | +3.5 | — | 22% car | — | 0 | 4 | 22% | 2 | 6% |
| A.J. GreenARI · WR | 0.0 | 5.1 | −5.1 | — | 9% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 9% |
| Darrell DanielsARI · TE | 2.2 | 5.1 | −2.9 | — | 9% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 9% |
| Antoine WesleyARI · WR | 2.0 | 3.4 | −1.4 | — | 6% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 6% |
| Van JeffersonLAR · WR | 5.1 | 1.7 | +3.4 | — | 6% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 6% |
| Jake FunkLAR · RB | 0.5 | 1.3 | −0.8 | — | 5% car | — | 0 | 2 | 5% | 0 | 0% |
Team totals: Cardinals 34 targets and 18 carries; Rams 18 targets and 38 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts aren't available for this game. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.
Fantasy Verdicts
Kyler Murray Unlucky
19 of 34 passing for 137 yards, 2 interceptions; 2 carries for 6 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 16.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Lowest-scoring game of the season.
Matthew Stafford Ran hot
13 of 17 passing for 202 yards, 2 touchdowns; 6 carries for 22 yards and 1 touchdown.
Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.3 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.
No interceptions after 8 in the previous four games. Best score since Week 7.
Christian Kirk Volume, no payoff
11 targets (32% of the team's), 6 catches for 51 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 18.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Rondale Moore
6 targets (18% of the team's), 5 catches for 32 yards.
Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.1 expected.
Best score since Week 11.
Cam Akers
2 targets (11% of the team's), 1 catch for 40 yards; 17 carries (45% of the team's) for 55 yards.
Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.3 expected.
Trend: Season high in carries (17).
Cooper Kupp Ran hot
7 targets (39% of the team's), 5 catches for 61 yards and 1 touchdown.
Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.8 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.
Fewest points since Week 5. A touchdown in 6 of the last 8 games.
Odell Beckham Jr. Ran hot
1 of 1 passing for 40 yards; 4 targets (22% of the team's), 4 catches for 54 yards and 1 touchdown.
Verdict: The opportunities were worth 7.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.
Best score since Week 14. A touchdown in 6 of the last 8 games.
A.J. Green Unlucky
3 targets (9% of the team's), 0 catches for 0 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 5.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Lowest-scoring game of the season.
In-Game Injuries
- ARI Budda Baker, S, left on a stretcher in the third quarter after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Cam Akers.
Played through injuries: James Conner and Chase Edmonds (ribs). Returned this game: J.J. Watt (shoulder surgery, first game since late October); Rondale Moore (ankle).
Fantasy Matchups
Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.
| Points allowed to | Cardinals D | Rams D |
|---|---|---|
| QBs | 16.5 | 16.0 |
| RBs | 20.5 | 20.9 |
| WRs | 37.9 | 36.5 |
| TEs | 7.7 | 11.9 |
Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.
How the Game Swung
Los Angeles opened at 60% win probability and passed 98% before halftime on the way to the win.
Rams win probability
Key Swings
- +20Stafford → Beckham, 4-yd TD59% → 79%Q1 3:50
- +13Stafford 1-yd TD run80% → 93%Q2 11:58
- +5Long 3-yd pick-six93% → 98%Q2 7:59
Swing in Rams win probability, in points
Play Calling and Possessions
| Arizona Cardinals | Measure | Los Angeles Rams |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Plays | 57 |
| 67% | Pass rate | 33% |
| 3.4 | Yds / dropback | 12.4 |
| 3.4 | Yds / carry | 3.7 |
| 0/9 | Third downs | 6/13 |
Efficiency edge Los Angeles ran 3 more plays and gained 9.0 more yards per dropback.
- Top targets
- ARI Kirk 32% · Moore 18% · Ertz 12%
- LAR Kupp 39% · Beckham 22% · Higbee 22%
Possession Results
| Result | ARI | LAR |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdowns | 1 | 3 |
| Field goals | 1 | 2 |
| Punts | 5 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Turnovers on downs | 1 | 0 |
LAR turnover edge: +2
- The Rams opened the scoring on their second possession, a 10-play, 52-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
- Arizona's first seven possessions all ended in a three-and-out or an interception.
- The Rams scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives, then drained the clock with three second-half drives of four to six minutes.
All 22 possessions, drive by drive
| Team | Start | Plays | Yards | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARI | Q1 15:00 | 3 | 4 | 1:16 | Punt |
| LAR | Q1 13:44 | 4 | 28 | 2:50 | Punt |
| ARI | Q1 10:54 | 3 | -1 | 0:59 | Punt |
| LAR | Q1 9:55 | 10 | 52 | 6:05 | Touchdown |
| ARI | Q1 3:50 | 3 | -11 | 1:35 | Punt |
| LAR | Q1 2:15 | 9 | 68 | 5:17 | Touchdown |
| ARI | Q2 11:58 | 3 | -1 | 1:28 | Punt |
| LAR | Q2 10:30 | 3 | 6 | 1:45 | Punt |
| ARI | Q2 8:45 | 3 | 3 | 0:46 | Interception |
| ARI | Q2 7:59 | 7 | 35 | 3:13 | Interception |
| LAR | Q2 4:46 | 3 | -4 | 2:00 | Punt |
| ARI | Q2 2:46 | 3 | 1 | 0:53 | Punt |
| LAR | Q2 1:53 | 3 | 5 | 1:18 | Punt |
| ARI | Q2 0:35 | 1 | 0 | 0:35 | End of half |
| LAR | Q3 15:00 | 8 | 75 | 4:24 | Touchdown |
| ARI | Q3 10:36 | 12 | 75 | 6:25 | Touchdown |
| LAR | Q3 4:11 | 7 | 50 | 4:16 | Field goal |
| ARI | Q4 14:55 | 10 | 38 | 4:42 | Field goal |
| LAR | Q4 10:13 | 9 | 61 | 5:52 | Field goal |
| ARI | Q4 4:21 | 5 | 14 | 1:17 | Downs |
| LAR | Q4 3:04 | 3 | 3 | 1:59 | Punt |
| ARI | Q4 1:05 | 2 | 8 | 1:05 | End of game |
About these numbers
The Rams' interception touchdown is counted as a Cardinals interception, not as a Rams possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.
Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.
Cardinals vs Rams Head-to-Head
One of the NFL's oldest matchups: the two franchises first met in 1937, when the Cardinals played in Chicago and the Rams in Cleveland, and they have been NFC West rivals since 2002.
- All-time series
- 53–41–2Rams lead, 96 meetings since 1937
- Postseason
- 2–0Rams won in 1975 and 2021
- Largest Cardinals win
- 44–62016
- Largest Rams win
- 34–02018
Since 2021
8–3 Rams lead
11 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.
Oldest to newest. R = Rams win, C = Cardinals win, outlined = this game.
2026 Meetings
- Week 6 Cardinals at Rams Upcoming
- Week 10 Rams at Cardinals Upcoming
Recent Meetings
- 2025 Wk 18 Cardinals at Rams, 2025 Wk 18 recap LAR 37 ARI 20 LAR W
- 2025 Wk 14 Rams at Cardinals, 2025 Wk 14 recap LAR 45 ARI 17 LAR W
- 2024 Wk 17 Cardinals at Rams, 2024 Wk 17 recap LAR 13 ARI 9 LAR W
- 2024 Wk 2 Rams at Cardinals, 2024 Wk 2 recap ARI 41 LAR 10 ARI W
- 2023 Wk 12 Rams at Cardinals, 2023 Wk 12 recap LAR 37 ARI 14 LAR W
- 2023 Wk 6 Cardinals at Rams, 2023 Wk 6 recap LAR 26 ARI 9 LAR W
- 2022 Wk 10 Cardinals at Rams, 2022 Wk 10 recap ARI 27 LAR 17 ARI W
- 2022 Wk 3 Rams at Cardinals, 2022 Wk 3 recap LAR 20 ARI 12 LAR W
- 2021 Wild Card Cardinals at Rams LAR 34 ARI 11 LAR W
- 2021 Wk 14 Rams at Cardinals, 2021 Wk 14 recap LAR 30 ARI 23 LAR W
- 2021 Wk 4 Cardinals at Rams, 2021 Wk 4 recap ARI 37 LAR 20 ARI W
Season to Date (Through Week 18)
The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.
| Cardinals | Stat | Rams |
|---|---|---|
| 11-6 | Record | 12-5 |
| 26.4 | Points per game | 27.1 |
| 373.6 | Yards per game | 372.1 |
| 5.6 | Yards per play | 6.0 |
| 21.5 | Points allowed per game | 21.9 |
| 329.2 | Yards allowed per game | 344.9 |
Cardinals vs Rams Odds and Results
How this game finished against the betting lines.
- Spread
- LAR −3.5Rams covered by 19.5
- Total
- 49Under: 45 points scored (by 4)
Expected vs Actual Scoring
| Team | Implied | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 26.3 | 34 | +7.8 |
| Cardinals | 22.8 | 11 | −11.8 |
The Rams beat their implied total and the Cardinals fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.
Betting Trends
Last 3 meetings: Rams 2–1 ATS, overs 2–1.
Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.
Arizona Cardinals
- Against the spread
- 10–8
- Over/under
- 8–10
- ATS as favorite
- 4–7
- ATS as underdog
- 6–1
- ATS on the road
- 8–2
Los Angeles Rams
- Against the spread
- 9–9
- Over/under
- 9–8–1
- ATS as favorite
- 7–9
- ATS as underdog
- 2–0
- ATS at home
- 5–4
Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.
Cardinals vs Rams Fantasy Outlook for 2026
Two meetings are left on the 2026 schedule: Week 6 in Los Angeles and Week 10 in Arizona. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.
- Start/Sit ToolShould your Cardinals or Rams player start in Week 6? Compare the decision against your other options.
- Fantasy Football ProjectionsSee the latest weekly and rest-of-season projections for Cardinals and Rams players.
- Fantasy Points Allowed by PositionHow the Cardinals and Rams defenses have treated QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs.
- Strength of ScheduleWhere these two matchups fall in each team's fantasy playoff run.
- Redraft CommandConnect your league for personalized lineup, trade and roster advice.
Keep Exploring
2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game
Cardinals vs Rams Game FAQ
Who won the 2021 Cardinals vs Rams Wild Card game?
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals 34–11 in the Wild Card round of the 2021 playoffs. The game was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, on January 17, 2022. See the Rams' 2021 schedule.
What was the final score of Cardinals vs Rams?
The final score was Rams 34, Cardinals 11. The Rams led 21–0 at halftime, and the second half went Cardinals 11, Rams 13.
What happened in the Cardinals vs Rams game?
Los Angeles led 21–0 at halftime after a 14-point second quarter and outscored Arizona 13–11 after the break to win 34–11. The Rams finished with a 375–183 edge in total offense and averaged 6.6 yards per play. The Cardinals committed 2 turnovers, the Rams none.
How did the Rams beat the Cardinals?
The Rams beat the Cardinals 34–11 because they averaged 6.6 yards per play to 3.4, won the turnover battle 2–0, and outgained them 375–183.
Which team won the turnover battle in Cardinals vs Rams?
The Rams won the turnover battle 2–0: the Cardinals gave the ball away 2 times and the Rams not at all. The Rams won the game.
What is the all-time Cardinals vs Rams record?
The Rams lead the all-time series 53–41–2 across 96 meetings since 1937, including a 2–0 record in the postseason.
When did the Cardinals and Rams last play before this game?
Before the 2021 Wild Card round, they last met in the 2021 season on December 13, 2021, when the Rams beat the Cardinals 30–23.
Have the Cardinals and Rams met in the playoffs?
Yes, 2 times, most recently in the 2021 playoffs. The Cardinals are 0–2 against the Rams in the postseason.
What is the Cardinals vs Rams record since 2021?
The Rams lead 8–3 across 11 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.
What was the closing spread for Cardinals vs Rams?
The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Rams −3.5, making the Los Angeles Rams 3.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 49. That implied about 26.3 points for the Rams and 22.8 for the Cardinals.
Did Cardinals vs Rams go over or under the total?
The game went under. The consensus closing total was 49, and the teams combined for 45 points, 4 under the number.
Who covered the spread in Cardinals vs Rams?
The Rams covered by 19.5 against the closing line of Rams −3.5. The final margin was 23 points.