Cardinals’ offense non-existent in 1st half of Wild Card game vs. Rams
Jan 17, 2022, 7:55 PM | Updated: Jan 18, 2022, 12:07 am
Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals is tackled by by Leonard Floyd #54 of the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at SoFi Stadium on January 17, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Things couldn’t have started any worse for the Arizona Cardinals in their 34-11 Wild Card round loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Cardinals mustered a total of 40 yards on seven possessions en route to a 21-0 halftime deficit.
The first four Arizona drives resulted in zero first downs, an abysmal -1 total yards of offense, two Kyler Murray sacks and one pick-six for Los Angeles.
PICK-6. TO THE HOUSE. #RAMSHOUSE.
📺: #AZvsLAR on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/AlWNM7Zm1B— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2022
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Murray was sacked twice by the Rams and went 7-for-17 (41.1%) for 28 yards and two interceptions in the first half at SoFi Stadium.
It took until the Cardinals’ fifth possession of the game to get their first new set of downs in the contest.
Things weren’t much better on the defensive side of the ball for the Cardinals, either.
After forcing a three-and-out on the Rams’ first possession of the game, Los Angeles proceeded to score a touchdown on each of its next two possessions.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from four yards out on the first TD and then rushed it in himself on a goal-line QB sneak for the second score.
In the first half, Los Angeles led Arizona in first downs (9-3), total yards (180-140), plays (32-26) and time of possession (19:15-10:45).
