The Los Angeles Rams are on a four-game winning streak and are playing some of their best football as they move closer to a possible NFC West title.
They will look to keep this momentum going when they face the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night in Inglewood, Calif.
Los Angeles (9-6) just won 19-9 against the New York Jets last week, despite trailing 9-6 going into the fourth quarter and being outgained by almost 100 yards. It was their biggest win of the season so far. Since their bye week, when they were 1-4, the Rams have won 8 of their last 10 games.
“You don’t want to ride the emotional roller coaster that these games can take you on,” said Rams coach Sean McVay. “You do have the ability to stay steady, to stay the course and try to right the ship. Certainly that’s not complete by any stretch, but our guys have done an excellent job of not allowing the way that we started, especially in those first five games, to affect what we did coming off that bye.”
The Rams have clinched their seventh winning record in eight regular seasons under McVay. Before he took over in 2017, the franchise had 13 straight non-winning seasons.
A strong running game led by Kyren Williams has helped quarterback Matthew Stafford during their December winning streak. Williams, a Pro Bowl selection last season, has a career-high 1,243 yards and 13 touchdowns on 303 carries, including 122 yards against New York.
Arizona (7-8) has lost four of its last five games and was eliminated from playoff contention with a 36-30 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers last week. The Cardinals might have to play their last two games without running back James Conner, who was injured in the third quarter against Carolina. He had 117 yards and a touchdown before going out with a knee injury.
Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon said on Monday that Conner wants to keep playing despite the injury and the Cardinals’ playoff hopes being gone. “If they’re healthy enough to play, they’ll play,” Gannon said. “We’re gonna play who we think gives us the best chance to win.”
Conner, who has a career-high 1,090 rushing yards, has never played a full season in his eight years in the NFL. He also has 410 receiving yards, close to his career-high of 497 in 2018.
Arizona right tackle Jonah Williams and left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. were both placed on injured reserve with knee injuries on Tuesday.
Quarterback Kyler Murray threw for 202 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the loss to Carolina. He also rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown. Conner was his top receiver with 49 yards on four catches.
Gannon plans to play Murray in the last two games, including a home game against the San Francisco 49ers next week. “He gives us the best chance to win,” Gannon said. “He’s gonna play.”
Arizona safety Joey Blount (ribs) and cornerback Elijah Jones (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, while Conner was limited. For the Rams, right tackle Rob Havenstein (shoulder) was listed as limited in practice on Wednesday.
