QUINIX Sport News: NFL Week 17 Saturday: Rams outlast Cardinals, Bengals defeat Broncos to contend for AFC’s final playoff spot, Chargers clinch playoffs with win over Patriots

Cardinals (7–9)

Total offense: 396 yards
Kyler Murray: 33/48, 321 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT/ 4 rushes, 32 yards
Michael Carter: 13 carries, 70 yards
Trey McBride: 12 catches, 123 yards, 1 TD
Marvin Harrison Jr.: 6 catches, 96 yards

Rams (10–6)

Total offense: 257 yards
Matthew Stafford: 17/32, 139 yards
Kyren Williams: 13 rushes, 56 yards, 1 TD
Puka Nacua: 10 catches, 129 yards

With the win, the Rams hold onto the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoff standings. They also win a tiebreaker over the Seahawks.

Arizona gets to the Rams’ 11-yard line on a seven-yard catch from Trey McBride and two rushes for eight yards by Michael Carter.

But on 1st-and-goal from the 5, Kyler Murray’s pass to McBride is deflected and intercepted by Ahkello Witherspoon in the end zone with 42 seconds remaining.

The play was reviewed to see if Witherspoon caught the ball, but the call on the field was upheld. L.A. takes over at the 1-yard line because officials ruled that the ball hit the pylon.

A 17-yard pass to Trey McBride and 13-yard run from Michael Carter moves the Cardinals to the Rams’ 33-yard line.

But that blocked extra point on Arizona’s lone touchdown now becomes a factor. The Cardinals have to score a TD, rather than kick a game-tying field goal.

The Cardinals’ fourth-down decision and subsequent interception don’t look so bad after the defense holds and forces the Rams to punt.

L.A. ran one minute off the clock, but have to give the ball back to Arizona with 2:01 remaining in the game. After a 47-yard punt by Ethan Evans, the Cardinals have the ball at their 36-yard line.

Arizona advanced to the Rams’ 40 on a 19-yard reception by Zay Jones. Yet Kyler Murray was sacked by Kobie Turner for a seven-yard loss, pushing the Cardinals back to the Rams’ 47.

On 3rd-and-17, Michael Wilson rushed for seven yards. With 3:10 remaining, the Cardinals decide to go for it on 4th-and-10. But a deep pass by Murray to Marvin Harrison Jr. is intercepted by Kamren Kinchens and returned to the 11-yard line.

Effectively, Murray’s interception was a punt making up for the decision to go for it on fourth down. But time is a factor with 3:02 remaining in the game.

Two Matthew Stafford incompletions sandwiched a one-yard Kyren Williams run, and the Rams can’t get into the end zone.

Joshua Karty kicks a 25-yard field goal to give L.A. a 13–9 lead.

Puka Nacua catches a short pass and turns it into a 21-yard gain, moving the Rams to 1st-and-goal at the 8-yard line.

Matthew Stafford appeared to throw an interception on a deep pass to Cooper Kupp, who was double-covered. Jalen Thompson came down with the ball for Arizona.

However, the Cardinals’ Roy Lopez was called offsides, negating the turnover. It’s 1st-and-15 for the Rams at midfield.

On 2nd-and-14 at the Rams’ 20, Kyler Murray hits Greg Dortch for a 10-yard gain. But on 3rd-and-4, Murray throws incomplete and Arizona opts for a field goal.

Chad Ryland’s 28-yard kick is good, cutting L.A.’s lead to one point.

Michael Wilson is called for offensive pass interference on 1st-and-10 at the Rams’ 16-yard line. That threatens to stall what’s been an excellent drive for the Cardinals.

It’s 1st-and-20 from the 26 for Arizona as the third quarter ends.

Marvin Harrison Jr. gets another big reception on this drive, making a 23-yard catch and run on 2nd-and-19 from the Arizona 37-yard line.

Arizona is moving the ball again, beginning with a a 13-yard catch by Trey McBride. That’s followed by a 21-yard reception near the right sideline by Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Rams can’t answer Arizona’s touchdown drive, going 3-and-out on their first possession of the second half.

A holding penalty on Joe Noteboom on 2nd-and-2 stalled the L.A. drive. Matthew Stafford passed to Puka Nacua for nine yards and Tyler Higbee for two, but the Rams couldn’t get a first down and had to punt.

The Cardinals take over at their 10-yard line after a 51-yard kick by Ethan Evans.

On 3rd-and-goal from the 2, Kyler Murray misses Trey McBride in the end zone. But the Rams’ Michael Hoecht is called for defensive holding.

Two plays later, Murray connects with McBride for a one-yard touchdown.

However, Chad Ryland’s extra-point kick is blocked so the Cardinals only get six points.

Arizona drives into the red zone on a seven-yard catch by Trey McBride, six-yard run by Michael Carter and a nine-yard pass to Michael Wilson.

Then Kyler Murray rips off a 12-yard run to give the Cardinals a 1st-and-goal at the 7-yard line.

Cardinals begin the second half on offense and start their drive off promisingly with an eight-yard rush by Michael Carter, 14-yard pass to Trey McBride and a 5-yard grab from Carter.

Cardinals

Total offense: 140 yards
Kyler Murray: 13/19, 124 yards/ 3 rushes, 20 yards
Michael Carter: 3 rushes, 23 yards
Trey McBride: 3 catches, 46 yards
Marvin Harrison Jr.: 2 catches, 38 yards

Rams

Total offense: 167 yards
Matthew Stafford: 8/20, 123 yards
Kyren Williams: 8 rushes, 35 yards, 1 TD
Puka Nacua: 6 catches, 88 yards

Matthew Stafford hits Puka Nacua for one more seven-yard gain. But he throws incompletions on the next two plays and the Rams have to settle for a field goal with 35 seconds left in the first half.

Joshua Karty nails a 53-yard kick to give L.A. a 10–0 lead with 27 seconds before halftime.

Matthew Stafford has connected on two consecutive passes to Puka Nacua for a combined 35 yards. That moves the Rams to the Arizona 42-yard line with 48 seconds remaining in the first half.

After two incompletions by Kyler Murray, the Cardinals have to punt and the Rams have a chance to add to their lead with 1:41 remaining in the first half. They’ll start from their 23-yard line