The Los Angeles Rams fell to a 2-4 record, losing 18-16 to the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium as kicker Chad Ryland converted six field goals. The preseason Super Bowl favorites dropped to last place in the NFC West amid persistent special teams errors and offensive execution struggles.
Six field goals and zero touchdowns proved enough for the Arizona Cardinals to deliver the largest upset of the NFL season on Sunday. Playing as 12.5-point underdogs, the Cardinals controlled the clock for nearly 35 minutes—holding a time of possession advantage of 34:52 to 25:08—and out-gained their SoFi Stadium hosts 338 yards to 286. Arizona kicker Chad Ryland accounted for all 18 points, converting kicks from 34, 30, 22, 38, 27, and 43 yards out to hand the preseason division favorites a humbling defeat.
Special Teams Gaffes and Injuries Derail Rams in First Half
Los Angeles found itself fighting uphill after a first-quarter interception by Quentin Lake failed to yield a touchdown, setting up a short drive that ended with a field goal from newly signed kicker Blake Grupe. Grupe joined the roster following the team’s release of Harrison Mevis, who had been let go after a 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked in overtime against the Buffalo Bills the previous Monday night. That early special teams stability vanished when Grupe suffered a knee injury while attempting to tackle Devin Duvernay on a 40-yard kickoff return. The injury forced the Rams to abandon standard extra-point kicking, resulting in a failed two-point conversion after their lone touchdown and altering head coach Sean McVay’s fourth-down decision-making—including a failed fourth-and-1 run by backup tight end Davis Allen that ended the team’s only third-quarter possession—for the remainder of the afternoon.
Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford Address Offensive Inconsistency
Stafford finished the afternoon completing 25 of 33 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns, while Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 92 yards on 19 carries. Yet the offense stalled repeatedly against an Arizona defense that entered the week ranked last in points allowed and 26th in yards given up. A late drive gave Los Angeles a temporary lead when Stafford connected with Colby Parkinson for a 6-yard score with 47 seconds remaining. Punter Ethan Evans stepped in to convert the extra point, giving Los Angeles a 16-15 lead, but the defense failed to protect the narrow advantage.
It’s not even good enough. I’ve got to do a much better job. There’s nothing positive that I can say about today.
Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford offered an equally blunt assessment of the team’s standing in the NFC West cellar. Standing before reporters after the defeat, the veteran quarterback acknowledged the stark reality facing a roster constructed to contend for a championship (Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua deliver sobering messages). We are what our record is,
Stafford said.
Late Penalties Set Up Chad Ryland Walk-Off Winner
With 47 seconds left on the clock, the Rams kicked off into the end zone, allowing Arizona to start at its 36-yard line. Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett—who completed 24 of 35 passes for 218 yards without taking a single sack—immediately targeted Jalen Brooks on the first play. A 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty against cornerback Josh Wallace helped move the Cardinals into position for Chad Ryland’s 43-yard game-winning field goal.
The loss leaves Los Angeles tied with Arizona at 2-4 and drops their playoff chances from 70% to 48% as the schedule grows increasingly unforgiving. With upcoming matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, and the Seattle Seahawks twice waiting on the horizon, the preseason Super Bowl hopefuls face a brutal division race with their margin for error entirely gone.