Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats On Dec 06, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Dec 6, 2015

ST. LOUIS -- One team's march to a division title continued, as did the opponent's march to another losing season.

Quarterback Carson Palmer completed 26 of 40 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns Sunday as the Arizona Cardinals trampled the St. Louis Rams 27-3 in the Edward Jones Dome for their sixth straight win.

In improving to 10-2, Arizona maintained a three-game lead over Seattle in the NFC West with four games remaining. It also gained a measure of revenge for a 24-22 defeat at St. Louis' hands Oct. 4.

Meanwhile, the Rams (4-8) lost their fifth straight game and clinched their 12th consecutive non-winning season while playing in front of a crowd that appeared far smaller than the 51,115 tickets distributed.

The Cardinals' defense had its way with St. Louis' struggling offense, which has managed only 54 points during its losing streak. Quarterback Nick Foles completed only 15 of 35 passes for 146 yards with an interception, while running back Todd Gurley managed 41 yards on nine rushes.

Palmer hit wide receiver J.J. Nelson with a 22-yard scoring strike to start scoring with 10:07 left in the first quarter. Kicker Chandler Catanzaro converted a 33-yard field goal with six seconds remaining in the half for a 10-0 lead.

Rams kicker Zach Hocker made a 35-yard field goal with 11:30 left in the third quarter, but Arizona marched 98 yards on its ensuing possession. Palmer found rookie running back David Johnson between two defenders for a 10-yard touchdown pass at the 5:53 mark.

Backup running back Kerwynn Williams made it 24-3 with 1:30 left in the quarter, speeding 35 yards through a gaping hole up the middle to cap an 81-yard drive that featured four plays of at least 13 yards.

Catanzaro capped the scoring by hitting a 29-yard field goal with 4:09 left.

Johnson, making his first start due to injuries to the Cardinals' top two running backs, collected 99 yards on 22 rushes. Arizona outgained St. Louis 524-212, amassing 29 first downs to the Rams' 9.

NOTES: St. Louis CB Janoris Jenkins (concussion) left the game in the first quarter but returned. Jenkins then left the game a second time in the third quarter and didn't return. ... Rams TE Lance Kendricks (concussion) departed in the third quarter and wasn't able to return. ... Arizona RB Andre Ellington (turf toe) was inactive and it's not known if he will play Thursday night against visiting Minnesota.