Cardinals Stun Rams 18-16 Behind Defensive Surge and Perfect Kicking

Key points

• Arizona won 18-16, with kicker Chad Ryland making all six field goal attempts, including the game-winner at the end of the fourth quarter.
• The Cardinals defense, ranked 32nd in points allowed entering the game, limited the Rams to under 100 yards at halftime and forced a turnover on downs late in the game.
• Rams kicker Blake Grupe suffered a knee injury early in the game, forcing punter Ethan Evans to handle extra points, which impacted the Rams' scoring efficiency.
• Quarterback Jacoby Brissett completed 24 of 35 passes for 218 yards, while Matthew Stafford threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns for Los Angeles.
• The Cardinals have now won both of their 2026 games at SoFi Stadium, matching the Rams and Chargers' combined one win at the venue this season.

Background

This victory marks the Cardinals' second win at SoFi Stadium this season, following their Week 1 upset over the Los Angeles Chargers. In that game, rookie head coach Mike LaFleur won his debut, ending a 53-year franchise drought for winning a season opener. The current win extends Arizona's strong performance in Los Angeles, despite a season where their defense had been ranked among the worst in the league prior to this game.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports emphasized the Cardinals' control of the clock and time of possession (34:52 to 25:08), highlighting how the team managed the game despite not scoring a touchdown. Arizona Sports focused on the defensive turnaround, noting that defensive coordinator Nick Rallis implemented more aggressive blitzes, leading to sacks from Josh Sweat and Budda Baker. Both outlets agreed on the significance of Chad Ryland's perfect kicking performance, but Arizona Sports specifically framed the win as a redemption for a defense that had been a major point of criticism earlier in the season.

Why it matters

The win improves the Cardinals' record to 2-4 and highlights a potential defensive improvement under Nick Rallis, which could be crucial for their playoff hopes. For the Rams, the loss to a team with an identical record underscores their struggles, particularly with special teams injuries and offensive inconsistency. The Cardinals' success at SoFi Stadium also raises questions about their ability to perform well away from home, potentially influencing future scheduling and fan expectations.

What to watch

The Cardinals will host the Denver Broncos in Week 7, while the Rams will travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders. Both teams will look to build on or correct their recent performances, with the Cardinals aiming to sustain their defensive momentum and the Rams seeking to stabilize their offense and special teams unit.