The Los Angeles Rams moved to within a whisker of the NFC West title as they
edged out the Arizona Cardinals 13-9.
Kyren Williams went over from a yard in the second quarter for the Rams’ only touchdown, Joshua Karty adding two field goals before Ahkello Witherspoon made a diving interception in the end zone with 37 seconds remaining to clinch victory.
The win lifts the Rams to 10-6, one game clear of the Seattle Seahawks at the top of the division ahead of their meeting in the final round of matches next week.
Only a defeat and a string of other results going against them can cost the Rams the title in a tiebreaker which is heading all the way to relative strength of schedule.
“We didn’t do a whole lot great, to be honest with you,” said Matthew Stafford, who passed for 189 yards in the Rams’ ninth win in 11 games. “Didn’t run it great. Didn’t throw it great. But found a way to get a win and get enough points.”
The Rams host Seattle (9-7) in their regular-season finale next weekend, but they could already have coach Sean McVay’s fourth division title clinched before then.
If the Bills, Browns, Vikings, Commanders and 49ers combine for three wins – or two wins and a tie – over the next two days, Los Angeles will be NFC West champions based on its strength of schedule, no matter what happens against Seattle.
Kyler Murray passed for 321 yards and threw two late interceptions for Arizona (7-9), who managed just three points out of three drives into Rams territory in the fourth quarter.
Arizona drove to the Los Angeles five in the final minute, but the Rams called an all-out blitz on first down.
Murray’s quick pass deflected off tight end Trey McBride’s helmet, and Witherspoon made a 10-fingertip interception in the end zone that was upheld by video review even though the ball touched the ground while between his hands.
“Just the way the NFL works, you never really know, honestly,” Witherspoon said. “I thought I stuck it. You saw by my celebration. But once I saw that replay, any time that ball hits the ground, you never know.”
“The ball didn’t bounce our way,” Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon said. “Got the ball at the end, thought we were going to win, and they made a good play. It stings because we’re there, but we’re not there. When we play our brand of ball, we can compete and beat everyone, but it doesn’t mean a lot.”
What’s next?
Rams: Host Seattle in their regular-season finale having won three straight and 11 of their last 15 over against their opponents on Sunday, January 5, live on Sky Sports NFL. Cardinals: Finish at home against the 49ers, also live on Sky Sports NFL.
Bengals win a thriller
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Highlights of the clash between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 of the NFL
Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes to Tee Higgins, including a game-winning scoring strike with 1:07 left in overtime, to give the hosts Cincinnati Bengals an electrifying 30-24 win over the Denver Broncos.
Previous touchdown passes to Higgins had twice put the Bengals ahead in regulation time, Bo Nix finding Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr – from 51 yards – to level the score each time.
Burrow ran for another score in the final two minutes, only for Nix to again respond as he found Mims from 25 yards with just eight seconds left on the clock.
Cade York hit the post with a field goal for the Bengals in overtime, but with the Broncos just needing to hold on for a tie to clinch a play-off berth, Burrow connected twice with Higgins on one final drive to snatch the win.
What’s next?
The Broncos need a win over the Kansas City Chiefs, who have already clinched the top seed in the AFC, to secure their first play-off appearance in nine years on Sunday, January 5, live on Sky Sports NFL.
The Bengals need to beat AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers and hope other results go their way, also live on Sky Sports NFL.
