Matthew Stafford makes MVP case as Rams beat Cardinals, clinch playoff trip to Carolina

Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times on Jan 4, 2026

Published in Football

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LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams are headed to Carolina for the playoffs.

The Rams’ 37-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, combined with the Atlanta Falcons’ victory over the New Orleans Saints, helped the Rams move up to the No. 5 seed for the NFC playoffs.

The Rams earned a rematch against the No. 4 seed Panthers, who defeated the Rams this season at Bank of America Stadium.

Matthew Stafford passed for four touchdowns, Puka Nacua caught a touchdown pass and increased his league-leading receptions total, and the defense was just good enough as the Rams bounced back from losses to the Seattle Seahawks and the Falcons to finish 12-5.

Stafford started slow, narrowly avoiding several interceptions, but he came on in the second half and finished with a flourish in his last chance to make his case for his first NFL most valuable player award.

Stafford, 37, completed 25 of 40 passes for 259 yards, and connected with tight end Colby Parkinson for two touchdowns and Nacua and tight end Tyler Higbee for one each.

He finished with a league-leading 46 touchdown passes, with eight interceptions, and a league-best 4,707 yards passing.

Stafford’s second-quarter touchdown pass to Nacua was his 43rd of the season and the 420th of his 17-year career, tying him with Dan Marino for seventh all-time. Stafford took over sole possession of seventh place with a touchdown pass to Parkinson late in the third quarter.

Nacua went into the game tied with Cardinals tight end Trey McBride and Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the NFL lead with 119 catches. Nacua caught 10 passes for 76 yards. McBride caught seven passes for 65 yards.

Ahkello Witherspoon intercepted a pass and Byron Young, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Josaiah Stewart and Desjuan Johnson had sacks for the Rams.

The last time the Rams traveled to Charlotte to play the Panthers, on Nov. 30 in Week 13, the Rams’ six-game winning streak ended with a 31-28 defeat that knocked them out of the No. 1 seed.

Stafford had two passes intercepted — ending an eight-game stretch without one — and also was responsible for a crucial delay-of-game penalty and a lost fumble.

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young passed for three touchdowns, and the Panthers amassed 164 yards rushing.

But the Panthers will not enter the playoffs with much momentum: They lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their regular-season finale.

After the Rams lost to the Falcons last Monday, which featured a first-half malaise by the Rams, coach Sean McVay declared that starters would play against the Cardinals.

The Rams did not come out much stronger Sunday, but by the end of the first half they built a 16-6 lead on three field goals by Harrison Mevis and Nacua’s spectacular one-handed catch on a fourth-and-1 play in the second quarter.

Early in the third quarter, the Cardinals executed a fake punt that resulted in a 28-yard completion, and then Jacoby Brissett connected with receiver Michael Wilson for a 43-yard touchdown pass that pulled the Cardinals to within three points.

The Cardinals took the lead late in the third quarter on Brissett’s touchdown pass to tight end Josiah Deguara. But Stafford’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Parkinson put the Rams ahead, 23-20.

Another week. Another insane catch by Puka.

Stafford’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Higbee early in the fourth quarter all but sealed the victory.

The Rams are getting healthier as they enter the playoffs.

On Sunday, Higbee returned from injured reserve and caught five passes for 91 yards.

McVay said last week that safety Quentin Lake would return from an elbow injury and play against the Cardinals, but the Rams chose to give him one more week.

Star receiver Davante Adams was inactive because of a hamstring injury, but he will be ready for the playoffs. Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson also could return.

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