The Los Angeles Rams beat the division-rival Arizona Cardinals 17-13 on Sunday, October 2. The Rams are 3-1 for the first time since 2006.
Quarterback Case Keenum and wide receiver Brian Quick kicked off the scoring for both teams when they connected on a 65-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The Cardinals responded with a field goal of their own to pull within 7-3.
Arizona tied the game at 10-10 when Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer hit Michael Floyd on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 29 seconds left in the first half.
The game appeared to be slipping away from the Rams as the second half moved forward. Running back Todd Gurley struggled to gain yardage behind an offensive line that failed to give him any running room. He rushed for only 33 yards on 17 carries, with his longest run only going for five yards.
However, Keenum and the Rams came back to take the lead for good. After a late Tavon Austin punt return into Cardinals’ territory, Keenum found Quick for a 4-yard touchdown to give the Rams a 17-13 lead.
Keenum completed 18 of 30 passes for 266 yards and two interceptions to lead the Rams. Quick caught both touchdowns, and Kenny Britt added four receptions for 82 yards.
Palmer passed for 288 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game with a possible concussion. His replacement, Drew Stanton, threw two interceptions late to seal the game for the Rams.
The Rams will return home to play the Buffalo Bills next Sunday, October 9 at 1:25 p.m. PT.
Derek Ciapala has been following the Rams since childhood. He has been published on Yahoo! Sports, Sports Out West and multiple other websites. You can check him out on Facebook or Twitter @dciapala.
