The Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals have been division rivals for decades, with each matchup bringing a unique storyline. Whether you’re analyzing today’s game, diving into all-time trends, or scanning ESPN’s stat sheets for box-score clarity, this rivalry consistently delivers narratives for fans, writers, and analysts.
In this article, we’ll break down Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals match player stats today, explore how the rivalry looks across history with all-time player performances, and touch on how ESPN’s stat coverage frames the numbers. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive picture of what makes this matchup so compelling.
The Latest Clash: Rams vs. Cardinals Player Stats Today
On September 15, 2024, the Arizona Cardinals dominated the Los Angeles Rams in Glendale, securing a 41–10 victory. The game showcased explosive offensive plays by Arizona and highlighted weaknesses in the Rams’ offensive line.
Arizona Cardinals Standouts
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Kyler Murray (QB): The Cardinals’ quarterback was surgical in his approach. He completed 17 of 21 passes for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns, finishing with a passer rating of 158.3 — the NFL’s perfect rating. Murray also added 59 rushing yards, showing his trademark dual-threat ability.
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Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR): The rookie wideout was nearly unstoppable. Harrison caught 4 passes for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 60-yard bomb that broke the game wide open.
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James Conner (RB): The veteran back controlled the ground game with 21 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown, averaging nearly 6 yards per attempt. His physical running wore down the Rams’ defense.
Los Angeles Rams Highlights
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Matthew Stafford (QB): Stafford endured a difficult afternoon. Despite completing 19 of 27 passes for 216 yards, he failed to find the end zone and was sacked five times.
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Kyren Williams (RB): Williams provided the Rams’ only touchdown with a short run, finishing with 25 rushing yards and 27 receiving yards.
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Cooper Kupp (WR): While Kupp added moderate yardage, Arizona’s defense contained him enough to limit explosive plays.
The difference was Arizona’s efficiency. The Cardinals amassed 231 rushing yards, controlled time of possession, and forced Stafford into constant pressure situations.
ESPN-Style Breakdown of the Box Score
When examining Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals match player stats esp, ESPN’s box score analysis offers detailed insight:
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Passing: Murray’s accuracy was unmatched (81% completion), while Stafford was pressured on nearly a third of his dropbacks.
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Rushing: Arizona’s running back duo (Conner + Emari Demercado) combined for over 170 yards, giving balance to the attack. The Rams, meanwhile, managed just 53 total rushing yards.
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Receiving: Harrison Jr. became the offensive star, averaging 32.5 yards per catch. For L.A., Puka Nacua led in receptions but was held below 10 yards per catch.
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Defense: Cardinals defenders recorded 5 sacks and 9 QB hits, with linebacker Zaven Collins leading in tackles. Rams linebacker Ernest Jones stood out with double-digit stops, but couldn’t change momentum.
ESPN’s advanced stats also highlight yards per play: Arizona averaged 8.1 yards/play, compared to the Rams’ 4.3. This disparity explains the lopsided scoreline.
Historical Context: Rams vs. Cardinals Match Player Stats All
Zooming out beyond today’s contest, the Rams and Cardinals have met nearly 100 times.
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Series Record: As of the 2024 season, the Rams lead the all-time series 51–41–2.
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Playoff Meetings: The most notable recent postseason clash came in the 2021 NFC Wild Card Game, when the Rams dismantled the Cardinals 34–11 en route to their Super Bowl LVI win. Matthew Stafford threw for 2 TDs and Cooper Kupp posted 61 yards with a score.
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Great Performances:
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Marshall Faulk (Rams): In early 2000s meetings, Faulk routinely dominated, including multiple 100+ yard rushing games.
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Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals): Fitzgerald tormented Rams secondaries for over a decade, posting career totals of more than 1,700 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns against L.A.
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Aaron Donald (Rams): The future Hall of Fame defensive tackle has logged over 15 sacks against Arizona in his career, often wrecking offensive lines.
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These all-time stats provide crucial perspective. While Arizona claimed dominance in their latest game, the Rams have historically dictated the rivalry.
The Importance of Matchup Dynamics
When analyzing Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals match player stats today, it’s critical to factor in dynamics that go beyond raw numbers:
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Quarterback Matchups: Stafford vs. Murray has been the centerpiece since 2021. Murray’s mobility challenges L.A., while Stafford’s deep-ball ability tests Arizona’s secondary.
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Line of Scrimmage Battles: Games often hinge on whether Donald and the Rams’ defensive front can contain Arizona’s rushing attack. In their latest meeting, the answer was a resounding “no.”
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Coaching Philosophies: Sean McVay emphasizes scripted passing plays and motion-based offense, while Jonathan Gannon leans on defensive aggressiveness and run-game balance.
Spotlight on Defensive Stats
Though offensive fireworks grab attention, defensive stats often swing games:
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Cardinals Defense (2024 meeting):
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5 sacks, 9 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles
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Top tacklers: Zaven Collins (11 tackles), Budda Baker (9 tackles + pass breakup)
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Rams Defense:
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Ernest Jones: 12 tackles, 1 TFL
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Byron Young: 1 sack, but overall pass rush was inconsistent
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For fans scanning ESPN box scores, these defensive lines stand out as keys to game flow.
Narrative Angles for Writers
When writing about Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals match player stats all, you can emphasize recurring themes:
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Resilience vs. Collapse: Arizona’s offense has often been boom-or-bust. When Murray plays efficiently, the Cardinals explode. When pressured, turnovers pile up.
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Injury Factors: Both teams’ stars — Stafford, Kupp, Donald, and Murray — have missed time in past seasons, drastically shaping outcomes.
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Divisional Stakes: As NFC West rivals, these games often dictate playoff seeding.
Key Takeaways
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Today’s Game (Sep. 15, 2024): Arizona dominated with balanced offense and smothering defense. Murray, Conner, and Harrison Jr. starred.
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ESPN Stats: Box scores reveal efficiency gaps — Arizona 8.1 YPP vs. Rams 4.3.
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All-Time Context: Rams hold a 51–41–2 series lead, with legends like Fitzgerald and Donald defining eras.
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Future Outlook: As the 2024 season progresses, these stats hint that Arizona may be closing the historical gap.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals match player stats continue to reveal one of the NFC West’s most unpredictable rivalries. From today’s lopsided win by Arizona to the all-time record still favoring the Rams, every meeting adds another chapter. For fans, writers, and stat junkies, ESPN’s box scores provide the granular details, but it’s the narratives — of emerging stars like Marvin Harrison Jr. or legends like Larry Fitzgerald — that truly bring the numbers to life.
If you’re crafting your own recap, opinion piece, or breakdown, remember to frame the story not just around stats today, but also around the rivalry’s all-time context and the way ESPN’s data frames performance.
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