At State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, the Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 37-14.
What the Rams learned from a win that raised their record to 5-6 and kept them in the running for the playoffs:
Kyren Williams needs to maintain his physical health.
Williams resumed his career-best performance against the Cardinals, logging 204 yards from scrimmage, after being placed on injured reserve.
In 16 carries, Williams gained 143 yards of total yardage, including a 56-yard run. In addition, he hauled in six passes for 61 yards and two scores.
It was his first game since defeating the Cardinals on October 15, when he ran for a career-high 158 yards.
The Rams were 1-3 during that time.
For quarterback Matthew Stafford, playcaller Sean McVay, and the Rams offense, Williams’ ability to run efficiently and catch passes in the flat and on screen passes is crucial.
So does Royce Freeman’s hard running, as he gained 77 yards on 13 carries.
Think about it: Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua combined for seven receptions for 45 yards on a day the Rams won handily.
Kupp limped after exacerbating his right ankle sprain during the first quarter while trying to play through it.
There’s still danger inside the 20-yard line with Tyler Higbee.
After more than seven seasons as a cornerstone of the offense, Higbee caught his first two touchdown passes of the year.
The Rams led 6-0 after Higbee’s seven-yard touchdown reception in the opening quarter. The Rams led 14–8 after his five-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
With five catches for 29 yards, he finished.
Although rookie Davis Allen only had one reception, Higbee’s second touchdown was set up by his six-yard reception on third-and-five.
McVay needs to get close to Tutu Atwell.
The quick Atwell slipped past the defense on the game’s third play and caught a 42-yard pass from Stafford. The Rams’ first touchdown was set up by the play.
Atwell tested the defense for the second time in the last two weeks. Atwell was called for a pass-interference penalty that resulted in a 45-yard gain in the team’s 17-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Atwell received additional significant accolades on Sunday. In all, he caught three passes for 76 yards.
Protection Plays with the ball are made by Jordan Fuller.
Fourth-year pro Fuller is most frequently commended for his leadership. He intercepted a pass and forced multiple fumbles early in the season.
On Sunday, he stopped four passes from Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, thwarting multiple threats.
Wake Forest product Kobie Turner, drafted in the third round, made a significant impact on defense as well. His season total of four sacks was increased by his two sacks.
Rams are still in the game.
Lucas Havrisik, the placekicker, is still working on being consistent. He made what turned out to be the game-winning field goal last week against the Seahawks.
He completed four of five extra-point attempts on Sunday, missing only a 50-yard attempt and making a 24-yard attempt.
The Rams won in a rout, so the miscues did not prove costly.