GLENDALE, Ariz. — Matthew Stafford threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, while Puka Nacua and Blake Corum both scored twice as the Los Angeles Rams dominated the Arizona Cardinals 45-17 on Sunday. With this win, the Rams remain tied for the NFC West lead.
The Rams (10-3) surged back after last week’s turnover-plagued loss to the Carolina Panthers, scoring 35 unanswered points en route to their seventh victory in eight games. They currently share the division lead with the Seattle Seahawks and hold a one-game advantage over the San Francisco 49ers.
On the other side, the struggling Cardinals (3-10) have now lost five straight and 10 of their past 11 games after a strong 2-0 start to the season.
Los Angeles fell behind early, trailing 7-0, but rallied to take a 24-10 lead by halftime. Just before the break, Stafford connected on a beautiful 28-yard pass over the middle to Nacua, who recorded six catches for 136 yards in the first half alone. The Rams also scored on short runs by Kyren Williams and Corum, each punching in a 2-yard touchdown.
The Rams amassed 306 yards in the first half and finished the game with a total of 530 yards. They continued their momentum into the second half, extending their lead with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Colby Parkinson, making the score 31-10.
The offensive onslaught didn’t stop there. Late in the third quarter, Nate Landman intercepted Jacoby Brissett’s pass, setting up Stafford’s 31-yard touchdown strike to Nacua and a 38-10 lead. On the following drive, Corum broke free on a 48-yard touchdown run, evading the Cardinals’ defense for a 45-10 advantage.
Stafford completed 22 of 31 passes for the game. Nacua finished with 167 receiving yards, while Corum rushed for 128 yards and two scores.
The injury-depleted Cardinals struck first, taking a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game after a sharp five-play, 67-yard drive capped by Brissett’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson. Wilson had a strong performance, catching 11 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Brissett, starting his eighth consecutive game in place of injured starter Kyler Murray, completed 25 of 44 passes for 271 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Tight end Trey McBride caught five passes for 58 yards, marking his 15th straight game with at least five receptions, tying the all-time record for a tight end previously set by Travis Kelce.
The Cardinals suffered another lopsided loss within the division, having been beaten by the Seahawks 44-22 in Week 10 and the 49ers 41-22 in Week 11. Meanwhile, the Rams have now won 15 of their last 18 meetings against Arizona.
**Injuries:**
Rams cornerback Darious Williams (tibia) was among five players listed as inactive for the game.
**Up Next:**
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https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2025/12/07/rams-thump-cardinals-to-stay-tied-atop-nfc-west/