Rams vs. Cardinals score: John Wolford, L.A. defense knock Arizona from playoffs after Kyler Murray injured

The Rams sent the Cardinals home and the Bears to the postseason with their Week 17 win

The Los Angeles Rams are headed to the playoffs. Despite entering the game with starting quarterback Jared Goff sidelined due to injury and both wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive lineman Michael Brockers sidelined due to their placement on the COVID-19 list, the Rams came away with an 18-7 victory of the division rival Arizona Cardinale, securing themselves a postseason berth in the process. 

Backup quarterback John Wolford acquitted himself fairly well after an early interception, completing 22 of 38 passes for 231 yards and rushing six times for 56 yards. The L.A. defense clamped down on the Cardinals, allowing only a jet-sweep touchdown pass on Arizona's second drive, which began deep in Rams territory following Wolford's early pick. 

The Rams got a bunch of help from Arizona's own injury issues, with Kyler Murray spending most of the game on the sideline due to an ankle injury suffered on the first drive of the game. But a win is a win is a win, and the Rams will take the win. At 10-6, they are headed to the playoffs once again. 

Why the Rams won

They have the better defense and backup quarterback. While the Arizona offense was held entirely in check with backup quarterback Chris Streveler (9 of 13, 77 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) under center, the Rams actually put a few drives together with John Wolford at the controls. Wolford wasn't exactly all that explosive, but he proved himself capable of making some throws, including a few down the field. Wolford's ability to escape the rush and make plays with his legs was also helpful on occasion, especially as the Rams were able to get him outside on a few designed runs, which resulted in first downs. Meanwhile, Aaron Donald, Morgan Fox (filling in for Michael Brockers), and Samson Ebukam dominated up front, limiting what Arizona could do both on the ground and through the air.

Why the Cardinals lost

Kyler Murray got injured on the seventh play of the game and wasn't able to return until the fourth quarter, when his team was already trailing by too much for him to stage a comeback. Not much more complicated than that. 

Highlight play

Leading 7-5 just before halftime, Streveler actually had his team moving down the field. With the Cardinals in field goal range, he tried to force a pass down the field, but it was incredibly ill-placed and ill-advised. Instead of finding his receiver, the pass found the hands of Rams defensive back Troy Hill, who took it 84 yards the other way for a score. 

Suddenly, the Rams held a narrow lead, and they'd hold onto it the rest of the way. 

Turning point

Yeah, it was the sack of Murray on the first drive of the game. Morgan Fox took the star QB down in the backfield, and his ankle bent awkwardly as he went to the ground. The Cardinals stood very little chance of pulling off a victory after that. 

What's next?

The Rams are headed to the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. They will play their first-round game against the division rival Seattle Seahawks, who won the No. 3 seed, at Lumen Field. 

The Cardinals' season is over. With an 8-8 record, they finished short of the postseason due to a tiebreaker loss with the Chicago Bears. They will have a pick in the middle of the first round in the 2021 NFL Draft. They have needs along the offensive and defensive lines and defensive back, and could also use another wide receiver to pair with DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk -- especially if the legend, Larry Fitzgerald, decides to call it a career. 

Relive the action in our live blog below.

[Jan 3, 2021 at 7:10 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Wolford's ability to make plays with his legs, while Streveler was unable to do much of anything, made a huge difference in this game.

[Jan 3, 2021 at 7:06 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

You can tell Kyler just does not have the ability to move the way he usually does. You could tell on the deep throw and you could tell on that option play.

[Jan 3, 2021 at 7:03 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Aaron Donald is hilarious. Absolutely living in the backfield.

[Jan 3, 2021 at 7:01 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

The Cards need to break a few big plays down the field. They need two scores plus a two-point conversion, just to get this game tied. There's not a lot of time left.

[Jan 3, 2021 at 6:50 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

That 100 percent should have been PI on Ramsey. But it goes uncalled and then the Rams block the kick. What a turn of events. Wow.

[Jan 3, 2021 at 6:49 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Aaron Donald is absolutely dominating inside. And with Murray unable to move like he usually can, that's a big issue.

[Jan 3, 2021 at 6:49 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Yeah so Kyler can't really run. Nice play by Morgan Fox to run him down there.

[Jan 3, 2021 at 6:47 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Oh boy. Kyler is slingin' it. He looks comfortable.

[Jan 3, 2021 at 6:44 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

He's clearly not moving well, as we could see as he jogged to the line after the first throw. It's worth nothing his worst stretch of the season came during the few weeks when he was on the injury report and couldn't run as often.

[Jan 3, 2021 at 6:43 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Woah! Kyler is back!

[Jan 3, 2021 at 6:40 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

It's strange for an 18-7 lead to feel insurmountable, but this one does.