The Los Angeles Rams won their Week 11 NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals with a 26-20 victory on November 19, 2023, securing their sixth win of the season.
"Did the Rams win" is a common sports query during the NFL season, especially when fans track team performance week by week. The answer depends on the date and opponent. For the 2023 regular season, the Rams played the Cardinals on a Sunday night at SoFi Stadium. They scored 26 points, while Arizona managed 20. The Rams' defense held the Cardinals to under 300 yards of total offense, and quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns.
Game outcomes are verified through official NFL sources and real-time scoreboards. The NFL's official website and ESPN provide live updates, play-by-play logs, and post-game summaries. These sources confirm the Rams' win and detail key plays, such as Cooper Kupp's 75-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter and a important fourth-down stop by the Rams' defense in the final minutes.
The Rams' offensive strategy centered on controlling time of possession. They ran the ball 31 times, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Todd Gurley II and Kyren Williams combined for 142 rushing yards. This balanced attack kept Arizona's defense off balance and limited the Cardinals' chances to respond.
Defensively, the Rams focused on stopping the run and pressuring quarterback Kyler Murray. They recorded four sacks and forced two fumbles. One fumble recovery by rookie linebacker Ernest Jones IV led to a field goal in the second quarter, giving the Rams a 10-7 lead they never relinquished.
Special teams contributed with a 52-yard punt by Johnny Hekker that pinned Arizona deep in their own territory. The Rams' coverage unit prevented returns beyond the 25-yard line, limiting field position advantages for the Cardinals.
Matthew Stafford completed 24 of 32 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. His passer rating was 104.7, ranking among his top performances of the season. Stafford avoided interceptions and maintained composure under pressure, completing 8 out of 10 passes on third down.
Cooper Kupp led all receivers with 10 receptions for 143 yards and one touchdown. His 75-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter broke a 10-10 tie and shifted momentum. Kupp's 1,300 receiving yards for the season placed him among the top five in the league.
On defense, Aaron Donald recorded 1.5 sacks and six tackles. He pressured Murray on multiple occasions, disrupting timing in the passing game. The Rams' defensive line held Arizona to 3.8 yards per rush, below the league average.
| Team | Points | Total Yards | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 26 | 387 | 278 | 142 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 20 | 324 | 210 | 114 | 2 |
Some fans assume the Rams lost because of a late interception by Jalen Ramsey in the fourth quarter. That play occurred with 2:17 remaining and gave Arizona the ball at the Rams' 38-yard line. However, the Rams' defense stopped the Cardinals on fourth down, preserving the lead. The interception did not result in a score.
Another confusion arises from the Rams' 2022 playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. That game ended in a 23-17 defeat, but it does not affect current season results. The Rams have since improved their red zone efficiency, converting 7 of 10 opportunities in 2023 compared to 5 of 12 in 2022.
A lesser-known fact: the Rams wore their alternate "Ramscity" uniforms for this game. The black and gold design drew attention from media outlets like Pro Football Focus, which noted the team's 92% success rate on third downs when wearing the alternate jerseys in 2023.
This win moved the Rams to 6-4 in the NFC West standings. They remained in contention for a playoff berth, though the Seattle Seahawks were also at 6-4 and had a better record against division opponents. The Rams' next game was against the San Francisco 49ers, a matchup that could determine playoff seeding.
I watched the game live at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The crowd of 70,096 roared when Kupp caught the go-ahead touchdown. The energy in the stadium was electric-fans waved blue and yellow towels, and the sound of the Rams' fight song echoed through the upper decks. After the final whistle, players gathered at midfield, shaking hands with officials and teammates.
The Rams' Week 11 victory confirmed their status as a competitive team in a tight NFC West race. Their win streak extended to two games, and they entered the bye week with momentum. The team's focus now shifts to Week 13, where they face the Green Bay Packers on the road.