Ram Tough: Undermanned Los Angeles Powers Through Cardinals

COVID be damned. The Rams came to Arizona and clipped the Cardinals 30-23 on Monday Night Football without the services of star corner Jalen Ramsey and tight end Tyler Higbee, both of whom were late scratches because of COVID-19 protocols.

In their absence, the Rams had to rely on good fortune to upend what had been the NFC’s top team, and good fortune delivered. Superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald tallied three sacks – including a game sealer as the clock expired, quarterback Matthew Stafford tossed three touchdown passes, and Odell Beckham Jr., wearing, number three, caught a touchdown for– you guessed it– the third straight game.

“My initial reaction was, “You got to be shitting me.” – Sean McVay on finding out Jalen Ramsey and Tyler Higbee would be out tonight.

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) December 14, 2021

It wasn’t until about four and a half hours before kickoff that the Rams found out they’d be without Ramsey and Higbee, who joined other players — including starting tackle Rob Havenstein and top running back Darrell Henderson — already on the reserve/COVID list.

“My initial reaction (to the news about the COVID list) was, ‘You got to be shitting me,'” coach Sean McVay said following the win.

Though his Rams had to rely on a handful of backups, they proved to be the tougher team, improving their record to 9-4.

“We’re playing good. We ain’t arrived,” Donald said after the win. “We still got to do things to get us in a great position that we want to be in.”

Los Angeles can make it three in a row next Sunday with a win at versus Seattle.

Follow along on Twitter: @OhioAF