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 to stay tied for the NFC West lead.
The Rams (10-3) scored 35 unanswered points to bounce back from last week’s turnover-filled loss to the Carolina Panthers, securing their seventh win in eight games. They now share the division lead with the Seattle Seahawks and hold a one-game lead over the San Francisco 49ers.
The struggling Cardinals (3-10) have lost five straight and 10 of their past 11 games after a strong 2-0 start to the season.
Los Angeles fell into an early 7-0 hole but rallied to take a 24-10 lead by halftime. The Rams scored just before the break on a beautiful 28-yard pass from Stafford to Nacua, who had six catches for 136 yards in the first half. The Rams also found the end zone on a pair of 2-yard runs by Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
In the first half, Los Angeles totaled 306 yards, finishing the game with 530 yards of offense.
The Rams maintained their momentum into the second half, scoring another touchdown on a 6-yard pass from Stafford to Colby Parkinson that extended their lead to 31-10.
Los Angeles capped their offensive onslaught with two quick touchdowns to start their next possession. After Nate Landman intercepted Jacoby Brissett’s pass late in the third quarter, Stafford connected with Nacua for a 31-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 38-10.
On the following drive, Corum broke free against a flat-footed Cardinals defense for a 48-yard touchdown run, putting the Rams up 45-10.
Stafford completed 22 of 31 passes. Nacua finished with 167 receiving yards, while Corum rushed for 128 yards.
The injury-depleted Cardinals struck first with a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game, thanks to a crisp five-play, 67-yard drive that culminated in Brissett’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson.
Wilson caught 11 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Brissett, starting his eighth straight 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 had five catches for 58 yards, marking his 15th consecutive game with at least five receptions — tying the all-time mark for a tight end previously set by Travis Kelce.
Arizona has now suffered another lopsided loss to a division rival this season, following defeats to the Seahawks (44-22 in Week 10) and the 49ers (41-22 in Week 11). The Rams have won 15 of their past 18 meetings against the Cardinals.
Injuries: Rams cornerback Darious Williams (tibia) was among five inactives for the game.
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