FINAL: Rams defeat Cardinals, 17-13
T.J. McDonald intercepted Drew Stanton’s fourth-down pass in the end zone to secure a 17-13 victory over the Cardinals.
The Rams are 3-1.
It looked like Trumaine Johnson intercepted his second pass of the game on third down, but the call was overturned after a review and it was ruled an incomplete pass.
The Rams made the final drive closer than it needed to be, giving the Cardinals 30 yards at the start of the drive after they were called for a horse caller and roughing the passer.
Nevertheless, the Rams leave Arizona with a huge victory over a division opponenet.
Cardinals get the ball back with one minute to play
Mark Barron intercepted Drew Stanton but the Rams were unable to gain a first down and punted the ball back to the Cardinals.
Todd Gurley was stopped at the line of scrimmage, was tackled for a four-yard loss and then rushed for two yards.
It hasn’t really been Gurley’s season.
Mark Barron intercepts Drew Stanton
Drew Stanton took over at quarterback with Carson Palmer under evaluation for a concussion and it didn’t go well.
Mark Barron intercepted Stanton with 1:27 seconds to play in the game.
Stanton had completed a seven-yard pass to Jaron Brown, a four-yard pass to David Johnson and a 13-yard pass to Larry Fitzgerald before he was picked.
Rams lead Cardinals, 17-13, in the fourth quarter
Brian Quick, touchdown machine.
Quick made his third reception for a touchdown this season on a four-yard pass from Case Keenum and the Rams lead the Cardinals, 17-13, with 2:36 remaining in the game.
The scoring drive took five plays and covered 19 yards in 2:19.
Tavon Austin returned a punt 47 yards to setup the drive.
If the defense continues to play as well as it has, there’s a real possibility the Rams leave Arizona 3-1.
Carson Palmer is being evaluated for a concussion and his return is questionable.
Carson Palmer sacked on third down
Aaron Donald and Eugene Sims sacked Carson Palmer on third down and the Cardinals punted.
Tavon Austin returned it 47 yards and the 15 more yards were tacked on when the Cardinals were called for a facemask.
Palmer is on the sideline being evaluated after his head bounced off the turf.
Rams unable to turn fumble recovery into points
The Rams defense forced a turnover but, once again, the offense was unable to convert it into points.
Case Keenum’s third-down pass intended for Brian Quick fell incomplete, a ruling that held up after review, and Johnny Hekker punted from Arizona’s 44-yard line.
The Rams are out of challenges for the remainder of the game.
The Rams were into a third-and-seven opportunity after facing third and two, when Keenum scrambled out of three tackles and eventually found an open receiver.
However, Greg Robinson was called as an ineligible player downfield. It was little fault of Robinson’s, who held a block for about eight seconds during the very-broken play.
On another note, I need the sound system from this stadium installed in my house. The bass is bumpin’.
Rams defense creates another turnover
What a huge opportunity for the Rams created by their defense.
Dominique Easley forced David Johnson to fumble and rookie Josh Forrest recovered.
The Rams trail, 13-10, with 11:05 to play in the fourth quarter.
Rams turn the ball over on downs
The Rams turned the ball over on downs after failing to convert on fourth down.
Case Keenum attempted a long pass to Brian Quick but it was broken up by Patrick Peterson.
Kenny Britt caught a 31-yard pass to start the series and Tavon Austin caught a six-yard pass two plays later.
But an interesting play-call on third down made for a short pass to Todd Gurley, who was tackled for a four-yard loss to setup fourth-and-five from Arizona’s 39-yard line.
Rams safety T.J. McDonald is being evaluated for a concussion.
Cardinals lead Rams. 13-10, in the fourth quarter
The Rams defense recovered in the red zone and held the Cardinals to a 21-yard field goal.
The Cardinals take the lead, 13-10, to start the fourth quarter.
The scoring drive covered 72 yards in 12 plays and took 5:05.
David Johnson did the bulk of the work in the series.
He rushed for 14 yards in consecutive carries and then caught a short pass and turned it into a 24-yard gain.
Carson Palmer also converted once on third down when he completed a 24-yard pass to J.J. Nelson.
E.J. Gaines made a nice play in the end zone a third-down pass attempt.
Case Keenum sacked on third down
The Rams are going backward.
Literally.
The Rams made it to the Cardinals’ 35-yard line before Greg Robinson was called for holding (on a 27-yard scramble by Case Keenum) and then Cody Wichmann false started.
Keenum was sacked on third and 23.
The Rams punted.
It is loud inside University of Phoenix Stadium.
Rams force Carson Palmer to fumble, recover the ball
Aaron Donald sacked Carson Palmer, stripped the ball and Eugene Sims recovered for the Rams.
They’ll take over on their 31-yard line.
Not a bad turn of events after Case Keenum fumbled in the previous series.
Case Keenum fumbles, Cardinals recover
Case Keenum was hit, fumbled and the Cardinals recovered.
It was a deflating play after Keenum completed a 33-yard pass to Todd Gurley to move to Arizona’s 43-yard line.
The Rams used their first challenge during the series. On the first play, Keenum attempted a deep pass to Tavon Austin, who tried to sell the catch.
The officials confirmed their ruling of an incomplete pass.
Rams and Cardinals tied, 10-10, at halftime
Carson Palmer carved up the Rams secondary and the Cardinals tied the game, 10-10, with 24 seconds remaining until halftime.
Palmer completed a five-yard pass to Michael Floyd over Troy Hill for the touchdown.
The scoring drive covered 80 yards in eight plays and took 1:24.
Palmer completed passes for 15 yards, 20 yards, 18 yard and 16 yards on the drive.
Rams defensive lineman Robert Quinn was injured in the middle of the series and went to the sideline, but returned for the final two plays.
Trumaine Johnson intercepts Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer launched a 33-yard pass into the end zone and Trumaine Johnson made his first interception of the season. It was an impressive play by Johnson.
However, the Rams were unable to convert the turnover into any points.
Todd Gurley rushed for three yards and caught a four-yard pass.
But Case Keenum’s third-down pass attempt to Tavon Austin fell incomplete. Those two players still appear to be on entirely different pages and it’s difficult to determine whose fault it is.
Rams punt from deep in their own territory
The Rams started deep in their own territory on the three-yard line and didn’t go far.
Todd Gurley rushed for a yard, and Case Keenum completed a five-yard pass to Lance Kendricks before a third-down pass fell incomplete.
Gurley has rushed for 14 yards in seven carries.
Cardinals punt after failing to convert on third down
The Cardinals punted after the Rams put pressure on Carson Palmer on third down and his pass fell incomplete.
David Johnson started the series with a 31-yard carry before he was tackled on the next play for a three-yard loss by Eugene Sims.
Palmer completed a 10-yard pass, but on third and two the Cardinals were called for their third penalty -- a false start -- to make it third and seven.
Rams lead Cardinals, 10-3, in second quarter
Greg Zuerlein kicked a 29-yard field goal, and the Rams lead the Cardinals, 10-3, with 8:42 to play in the second quarter.
The scoring drive covered 64 yards in eight plays and took 3:37.
Case Keenum completed 23-yard and four-yard passes to Lance Kendricks. He also found a wide-open Kenny Britt for a 34-yard completion.
The Rams are still struggling to get Todd Gurley moving. He has rushed for 13 yards in six carries.
Rams lead Cardinals, 7-3, in second quarter
The Rams’ red-zone defense held up, and the Cardinals kicked a 25-yard field goal.
The Rams lead the Cardinals, 7-3, with 12:19 to play in the second quarter.
The Cardinals’ scoring drive went 68 yards in 12 plays and took 4:40.
Carson Palmer completed passes for 12 yards and 10 yards to Larry Fitzgerald.
Chris Johnson rushed for 39 yards in four carries, and he picked up extra yards when Mark Barron hit him late out of bounds and was called for a personal foul.
Rams lead Cardinals, 7-0, in the first quarter
Brian Quick caught a pass near the sideline and slipped by two defenders for a 65-yard touchdown.
The Rams lead the Cardinals 7-0, with 1:59 to play in the first quarter.
The scoring drive covered 90 yards in six plays and took 3:28.
The key play on the drive had nothing to do with the Rams.
Case Keenum was sacked on third and five, but the Cardinals were called for defensive holding, a saving grace for an offense that has looked out of sorts.
Keenum has targeted Tavon Austin twice, but the two players don’t appear to be on the same page.
Cardinals punt after drive stalls in Rams territory
The Cardinals were moving the ball well until Carson Palmer was sacked by Maurice Alexander for a loss of nine yards, stalling the drive.
The Cardinals punted.
Davis Johnson rushed for 32 yards in six carries, which included a two-yard carry on third and one where he pushed back Aaron Donald to gain the first down.
Trumaine Johnson made a nice pass breakup, that perhaps could’ve been flagged, on third and 19 that forced the Cardinals to punt.
Rams go three and out in first series on offense
Todd Gurley took a handoff on third and one and was tackled for a loss.
That’s a three-and-out for the Rams in their first series on offense.
Gurley rushed for three yards on the first play, and Kenny Britt caught a six-yard pass before the drive stalled.
It’s loud inside University of Phoenix Stadium.
Rams defense forces three and out in first series
The Cardinals went three and out in their first series after Trumaine Johnson broke up a third-down pass attempt by Carson Palmer.
That’s a nice start for the Rams defense on the road.
Facebook Live: Join the Times on the sideline before Rams and Cardinals kickoff
Sam Farmer, Gary Klein, Mike DiGiovanna, Lindsey Thiry and Matt Wilhalme discuss today’s game between the Rams and Cardinals.
Rams and Cardinals announce inactive players
Rams inactive players:
Quarterback Sean Mannion
Receiver Pharoh Cooper
Receiver Nelson Spruce
Guard Jamon Brown
Tackle Pace Murphy
Defensive end William Hayes
Defensive back Coty Sensabaugh
Cardinals inactive players:
Punter Drew Butler
Guard Cole Toner
Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche
Defensive tackle Olsen Pierre
Defensive tackle Frostee Rucker
Nose tackle Xavier Williams
Cornerback Brandon Williams
Rams are first in the NFC West, with a chance to start 3-1
The Rams have started the season 2-1 for the first time since 2006.
That was also the last time they started 3-1.
Who would have thought after suffering a season opening shutout at San Francisco, 28-0, that this team would have the chance to start 3-1 for the first time in ten seasons?
Not many.
Kickoff at University of Phoenix Stadium is 30 minutes away and the buzz around the building is that this is a must-win game for the Cardinals, who are 1-2 after losses to the Patriots and Bills and a victory over the Buccaneers.
Rams mailbag: Injuries, discipline and, of course, the quarterbacks
It’s valid to say the Rams need better discipline. Defensive end Eugene Sims was ejected during the Rams’ victory last week at Tampa Bay, becoming the third Rams player to be booted during exhibition or regular-season play.
The Rams will try to solidify their spot a top the NFC West on Sunday when they play the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
The Rams are 2-1 for the first time since 2006.
Now, on to your questions. Keep them coming at @latimesklein or gary.klein@latimes.com