The Rams may not be heading to the playoffs, but they at least finished the year on a high note. In the season finale and the last game at the Coliseum, Los Angeles knocked off the Cardinals 31-24. They’ll end the 2019 campaign with a 9-7 record, the third straight winning season under Sean McVay.
The offense had a good rhythm and was balanced with the run and pass, while the defense created four turnovers – the most by the Cardinals in any game this season.
Here’s our instant analysis of the win.
Player of the Game: Jared Goff
Goff put together a great performance to finish the season, throwing for 319 yards on 29-for-45 passing. He also threw three touchdown passes, each to different receivers, and posted a passer rating of 107.5.
Stat of the Game: 424
For the sixth time this season, the Rams gained at least 400 yards. They also had 25 first downs, their fourth-most of the year.
Game notes
- Sean McVay was true to his word about wanting to win this game and treating it like a typical regular-season game. The Rams didn’t pull their starters at any point and did everything they could to win.
- Jared Goff put together his sixth 300-yard performance of the season, completing 29 of 45 passes for 319 yards with three touchdowns. He spread the ball around nicely, hitting three different players at least seven times.
- Todd Gurley ran hard on Sunday despite getting poor blocking out of the gate. He started the game with minus-5 yards on his first six carries but finished with 68 yards on 20 carries.
- McVay and John Fassel got into it briefly on the sideline after the Rams’ failed fake punt from their own 17-yard line. After the play, McVay want over to Fassel and could be seen saying, “What are you doing?” and looking visibly frustrated.
- Greg Zuerlein is making the Rams’ decision that much harder in the offseason. He’s set to be a free agent and after missing another field goal (47 yards), his ninth of the season, there are questions about whether he will be back in 2020.
- Tyler Higbee capped off his remarkable season with another great performance, catching eight passes for 84 yards with one touchdown. He set the single-season record for receptions and yards by a tight end this year.
- Darious Williams is making a case for a spot on the team in 2020. He picked off one pass, broke up another and nearly had a second interception on a pass that went through his hands; the play was nullified by a penalty on Clay Matthews.
- Matthews needed a half-sack to earn a $250,000 incentive bonus, but he failed to attain it. Andrew Whitworth made $500,000, though, with the Rams finishing the year at 9-7.