THE The Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals13-9, Saturday at SoFi Stadium.
What we learned from a win that improved the Rams’ record to 10-6:
Ahkello Witherspoon keeps acting
After playing for the Rams in 2023, veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was an unsigned free agent at the start of the season.
In September, with Tre’Davious White struggling and Darious Williams recovering from a hamstring injury, the Rams signed Witherspoon to the practice squad. Witherspoon played well recently in wins over the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets, and he made his biggest play of the season when he intercepted a deflected pass against the Cardinals with 37 seconds left.
It was Witherspoon’s first interception this season and the 12th of her career.
Learn more: Rams barely hold on to defeat Cardinals and move closer to NFC West crown
“Nothing new to me,” he said. “It’s only been eight years of work, honestly, that’s really it. … I just stay consistent, and when the time comes, I’m confident.
Witherspoon acknowledged he wasn’t sure what might happen when officials waited for the replay to confirm the ball hadn’t hit the ground before he gained control of it.
“I thought I did it – you saw it in my celebration,” he said. “But once I saw that replay, every time that ball hits the ground, you never know.”
Kamren Kinchens continues to stand out
Rookie safety Kamren Kinchens appeared to seal the victory when he intercepted a pass with about three minutes remaining.
Kinchens has four interceptions – he threw two against the Seattle Seahawks and returned one for a touchdown – and also forced a fumble.
Kinchens said he suffered a minor sting Saturday, but felt fine. He also said he would watch the games Sunday to see if the Rams would win the NFC West thanks to the “strength of victory” tiebreaker.
“I watch the games, especially now, it puts a little more into it,” he said. “If this starts to go the way I don’t think it will, I’m going to turn it off.”
Matthew Stafford improved on his December success with the Rams
Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 17 of 32 passes for 189 yards and improved to 13-1 in December games with rams.
The 16th-year pro is 191 yards away from reaching 60,000, a feat achieved by only nine quarterbacks. Stafford threw 20 touchdowns with eight interceptions.
Since scoring 44 points against the Buffalo Bills, the Rams have managed just 12 points without a touchdown against the 49ers, 19 points against the Jets and 13 against the Cardinals.
“I’m the guy who touches the ball every play, so I can do a much better job of making plays and giving guys opportunities to make plays,” Stafford said.
Puka Nacua makes the difference
When the Cardinals beat the Rams 41-10 in Week 2, Los Angeles didn’t have a catcher Puka Nacuawho injured his knee in the first game against the Detroit Lions. Nacua was back in the lineup Saturday and caught 10 passes for 129 yards.
Last season, Nacua caught 105 passes for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. In 11 games this season, Nacua has 79 catches for 990 yards and three touchdowns.
Cooper Kupp, who injured his ankle in the opener against the Cardinals, had one catch for 29 yards Saturday.
The defensive line arrives
In the first game against the Cardinals, the Rams sacked quarterback Kyler Murray once. On Saturday, Braden Fiske sacked Murray twice, and Byron Young and Kobie Turner each sacked him once.
Fiske and Turner are tied for the team lead with eight sacks. Young has seven.
Special teams contribute with key plays
Outside linebacker Michael Hoecht blocked an extra point attempt in the third quarter that kept the Cardinals from getting back within three points.
With the Rams offense struggling, punter Ethan Evans placed two kicks inside the five-yard line and two more inside the 20.
Kicker Joshua Karty made field goals of 53 and 25 yards.
This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.
