3 Thoughts After Dallas Runs Away From Atlanta, 129

3 Thoughts After Dallas Runs Away From Atlanta, 129

This is not your father’s NFC. A year after the Rams and Cardinals met in the Wild Card round, the two teams met again Saturday in the Divisional round. This time in Tampa Bay due to L.A.’s stadium being unavailable. In the end, the Rams won a 34-11 laugher in the first of the day’s two playoff games. Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 305 yards and two TDs as the Rams led 28-0 at halftime en route to the win. Stafford has won three straight road playoff games, the most by any quarterback since Russell Wilson did it in 2013-14. Matthew Stafford is now 3-0 in his career in playoff games on the road and 4-0 in his career in playoff games overall.

What Happened? The Key Details You Need to Know

Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes in the first half, both to Cooper Kupp. Darrell Henderson added a rushing touchdown as the Rams took a commanding 21-0 lead in the second quarter. The Cardinals’ lone bright spot in the first half was a fumble recovery by Byron Murphy Jr. on a botched Rams punt attempt at their own 48. However, it would go for naught as Arizona turned it over on downs. Arizona did manage a field goal just before halftime to get on the scoreboard.

The Rams put the game away with another touchdown pass from Stafford to Kupp in the third quarter and a rushing touchdown by Cam Akers later in the quarter. Stafford finished the game 20-of-29 passing for 305 yards. Kupp had 5 catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns. Akers added 55 yards rushing as the Rams offense had their way with the Cardinals defense.

Why Does This Matter? The Bigger Picture

The Rams are now one win away from reaching the Super Bowl. They will face the winner of Sunday’s NFC Divisional round game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers. The Cardinals will try to regroup this offseason after the disappointing Wild Card loss.