NFL Week 4 Game Recap: Arizona Cardinals 37, Los Angeles Rams 20

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray shredded the highly touted Los Angeles Rams defense in a game that had major implications on the NFC West division.

Murray threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-20 road win against the Rams to solidify the Cardinals' standing as the last remaining undefeated team in the NFC.

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Arizona Cardinals

Quarterback

Kyler Murray completed 75% of his passes and threw zero turnover-worthy plays for the first time this season. Two of his four completed passes beyond 10 yards went for touchdowns, and despite an average depth of target of 6.7 yards down the field, he was effective against what the defense gave him.

Running backs

James Conner and Chase Edmonds still got their fair share of touches. Conner scored from one yard out on two separate occasions to complement a 50-yard rushing performance.

In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals relied on Edmonds to help close the game out, as he rushed for 83 yards on one fourth-quarter drive alone. He finished with 120 yards on 12 carries.

Wide Receivers/tight ends

Arizona’s wide receivers were successful across the board, as five separate receivers caught at least three passes in the game. DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green and Maxx Williams all finished with nearly identical stat lines, with Green and Williams catching a touchdown pass.

Offensive Line

The Cardinals held off one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, ultimately holding them to just 10 pressures. However, Murray was sacked three times in the game, with two being credited against Josh Jones.

Every member of the offensive line allowed at least one pressure, but Murray used his ability to elude pressure and create plays with his legs when needed.

Defensive Line

The Cardinals' pass-rush failed to sack Stafford but created enough pressure to force overthrown passes and one interception. As a unit, they combined to generate 12 pressures, led by J.J. Watt with five.

Markus Golden and Devon Kennard each earned a tackle for loss against the run.

Linebackers

Jordan Hicks finished second in tackles with eight while also creating a team-high three defensive stops against the run. Tanner Vallejo hasn’t played much this season but came up with a massive pass breakup on fourth down along the goal line to prevent a touchdown.

Secondary

Byron Murphy Jr. picked off Stafford in the first quarter for his third interception in two games. Murphy forced an incompletion later in the game, as well.

Robert Alford and Marco Wilson allowed a touchdown, with Wilson allowing eight receptions on nine targets for 81 yards. Outside of Wilson, no member of the secondary allowed more than 50 yards in coverage.

Los Angeles Rams

Quarterback

Coming off a dominant win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Matthew Stafford came out flat against the Cardinals' defense. He finished with 280 yards passing and two touchdowns but overthrew his receivers in key situations. The pass rush wasn’t even getting to Stafford, as he only attempted nine passes when under duress.

Running backs

Darrell Henderson received the bulk of the carries for the Rams, rushing for 89 yards on 14 carries. Three of his carries went for over 10 yards, but he was only able to force one missed tackle. Henderson also caught five passes for 27 yards in the game. 

Wide receivers/tight ends

Cooper Kupp was targeted 13 times in the game but only hauled in five passes, as the majority of the balls thrown his way went over his head. He was contained to a season-low 64 yards. 

Van Jefferson was the most effective receiver for the Rams, catching all six targets for 90 yards and a touchdown. Stafford did connect with Robert Woods in the end zone for the second time this season, but the game was sealed by this point.

Offensive Line

Like the Cardinals, the Rams offensive line kept a clean pocket for most of the game. The Rams offensive line allowed just 11 pressures and no sacks. Veteran Andrew Whitworth was the only lineman not to allow a pressure and will likely finish with the highest pass-blocking grade on the team.

In the run game, the unit created running lanes, as Henderson averaged 4.3 yards before contact per attempt.

Defensive Line

The Rams' defensive line was uncharacteristically inefficient against the Cardinals, as the unit only created 13 pressures in the game. Leonard Floyd was the only effective pass-rusher in the game, generating four pressures and one sack. Terrell Lewis and Sebastian Joseph-Dey were also credited with a sack in the game, as well.

Aaron Donald was surprisingly shut out against the Cardinals, as he created just two pressures on 37 pass-rush snaps. Upon first review, he finished with a 51.3 pass-rushing grade and a season-low win percentage of 7.7%.

Linebackers

Kenny Young played the most snaps of any Rams linebacker and finished with four tackles and one defensive stop. Young was picked apart in coverage, however, as he allowed five receptions for 40 yards.

Secondary

The Rams' secondary was unable to contain Arizona's explosive wide receivers. David Long Jr. and Taylor Rapp each allowed a touchdown, with Long allowing a team-high 72 yards. 

Jalen Ramsey was thrown at four times, forced three incompletions and allowed one reception to Hopkins for 18 yards.