It wasn't pretty, but the Los Angeles Rams are still hot.
The Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals 13-9 on Saturday for their fifth straight win and ninth win in their last 11 games.
It was slow and steady, with no points scored in the first quarter, but a Kyren Williams touchdown and a Joshua Curley field goal in the second gave the Rams a 10-0 lead at halftime.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Los Angeles Rams No. 9 Matthew Stafford throws a pass during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Harry Howe/Getty Images)
But in the third quarter, Trey McBride finally came on and scored his first touchdown of the season, and he himself couldn't help but thank the heavens. However, the PAT is blocked and comes back to bite Arizona.
In the fourth inning, Chad Ryland made a chip shot field goal, but missed the extra point and the lead remained at one point. Curley added a field goal of his own to give LA a 13-9 lead, forcing the Cardinals offense, which hadn't scored all night, into a touchdown situation.
With nine punts already in the contest, Kyler Murray looked for Marvin Harrison Jr. in the end zone but was picked off. But the Rams couldn't get a first down, and the Cards had one more chance with 2:01 left and two timeouts.
Los Angeles Rams No. 19 Xavier Smith reacts during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Longtime sportscaster and announcer Greg Gumbel dies at age 78
Suddenly, the Cardinals got it together and got all the way to the opposing 5-yard line, but Murray threw another interception that almost ended it, leaving McBride's hands in the end zone and catching a diving Ahkello Witherspoon. .
Both offenses were pretty sloppy. Stafford was just 17-of-32 for 189 yards and no touchdowns, but it was enough. Of those yards, 129 went to Puka Nacua. Murray, on the other hand, completed 33-of-48 for 321 yards, but his one touchdown and two costly turnovers proved insurmountable by other numbers.
No. 55 Braden Fisk of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his sack with No. 0 Byron Young during the first quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals on December 28, 2024 in Inglewood, California at SoFi Stadium. (Harry Howe/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Rams have a chance to clinch the NFC West championship on Sunday, but they'll have to do a lot to get there. After all, they are in control of their own destiny and will face the Seattle Seahawks in the final game of the season, which could put them in contention for the division title.
Follow sports coverage on Fox News Digital's X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
