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ARI |
LAR |
Palmer, Fitzgerald lead Cardinals' 44-6 rout of LA Rams
LOS ANGELES (AP) Larry Fitzgerald still hasn't decided whether he'll return to the Arizona Cardinals next season.
Yet if the star receiver realizes that if he can't end his career holding the Lombardi Trophy, catching a touchdown pass to win the NFL receptions title in a dominant victory wouldn't be a terrible substitute.
Carson Palmer threw touchdown passes to Jeremy Ross, Darren Fells and Fitzgerald, and the Cardinals wrapped up a frustrating season with a 44-6 victory over the freefalling Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Fitzgerald caught five passes and took the overall NFL lead with 107 catches in perhaps his final game for the Cardinals (7-8-1).
He intends to take his time with his decision on retirement following his 13th NFL season, even after he returned to the field in the fourth quarter for that TD grab and chants of ''Larry! Larry!'' from the Coliseum crowd.
''It's disappointing, but we really finished the season on a high note,'' said Fitzgerald, who moved ahead of Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown and New England's Julian Edelman with his last catch.
''I always stay in the moment, and the game wasn't over yet. I was still honed in and focused on what we had to accomplish. ... I approach the offseason the same way all the time: It's jet-setting time.''
The Cardinals missed the playoffs one year after reaching the NFC championship game despite an offense and a defense ranked in the top quarter of the league.
Arizona still finished the season strong with wins over NFC West champion Seattle and Los Angeles (4-12), which has lost seven straight.
''I'm very happy with the way we played in the last two weeks,'' coach Bruce Arians said. ''But I'm unhappy that we did not win four or five games in the fourth quarter (earlier in the season).''
The Cardinals' defense sacked Jared Goff seven times and allowed just 122 yards by the Rams, who wrapped up their homecoming season with their worst record since 2011.
''I'm not sure there is much'' of a bright spot to this season, Goff said. ''Maybe that we have a change coming that is going to be positive and bring a lot of positive energy.''
With a blowout win capped by Justin Bethel's 68-yard TD return of Sean Mannion's interception with 8:06 to play, the Cardinals also got even for their 17-13 loss to the Rams in Week 4, one of several early flubs that doomed an injury-filled roster to an early winter.
Los Angeles was 3-1 after that road victory, but lost 11 of its final 12 games in an incredible pratfall.
Interim coach John Fassel went 0-3 after replacing the fired Jeff Fisher, who presided over the Rams' relocation and the franchise's 13th consecutive non-winning season.
''This isn't the culture you want to live in,'' offensive tackle Rodger Saffold said. ''I've been here seven years and still haven't had a winning season. I know I've worked hard enough to deserve better.''
Despite managing just 77 yards of offense in the first half, Los Angeles kept Arizona's lead to 16-6 with a handful of big plays, including a blocked punt by Chase Reynolds.
INJURY UPDATE
David Johnson left the field on a cart in the first quarter with an injured left knee after getting tackled awkwardly, but Arizona's star running back appeared to be able to put weight on his leg when he returned to watch the second half from the sideline. Johnson gained 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the first 15 games for the Cardinals while compiling the franchise's first 2,000-yard season. The Cardinals had no immediate update on his prognosis. ''We're praying it's all positive, and I can block for him in the Pro Bowl in the next couple of weeks,'' Fitzgerald said.
GOFF'S FINISH
Goff wrapped up his winless rookie season by going 13 of 20 for 120 yards while getting physically clobbered by yet another defense. The No. 1 overall pick went 0-7 with seven interceptions and five TD passes for the Rams, who lost their final six home games after winning their ballyhooed opener in September.
THE WORST
The Rams managed 482 yards in their final three games under Fassel, including 81 yards in the first three quarters against Arizona. They will finish as the NFL's 32nd-ranked offense for the second straight season.
HEISMAN RETURN
Palmer went 20 of 38 for 255 yards in a solid return to the stadium where he won the Heisman Trophy 14 years ago with Southern California. He hadn't been back inside the Coliseum since throwing four touchdown passes to beat Notre Dame in November 2002.
TYPICAL STRUGGLES
The Rams went nowhere on offense for their first 5 1/2 drives before back-to-back big gainers, but even that went wrong. After Todd Gurley caught a 29-yard pass, Tavon Austin ran 38 yards for a TD on a direct snap to the wideout - but it was wiped out by an illegal motion penalty against Goff, of all people.
---
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Copyright 2017 by STATS LLC. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.
C. Palmer
3 QB 255 PaYds, 3 PaTDs, INT |
26
FPTS
|
|
T. Gurley
21 RB 40 RuYds, 37 ReYds, 4 RECs |
7
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
C. PalmerĀ
3 QB
26 FPTS
|
C. Palmer | 20/38 | 255 | 3 | 1 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. StantonĀ
5 QB
-2 FPTS
|
D. Stanton | 2/4 | 8 | 0 | 1 | -2 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
K. WilliamsĀ
33 RB
12 FPTS
|
K. Williams | 12 | 60 | 1 | 21 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. EllingtonĀ
38 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. Ellington | 7 | 18 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. JohnsonĀ
31 RB
3 FPTS
|
D. Johnson | 5 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. NelsonĀ
14 WR
7 FPTS
|
J. Nelson | 12 | 4 | 75 | 0 | 32 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. FitzgeraldĀ
11 WR
10 FPTS
|
L. Fitzgerald | 7 | 5 | 43 | 1 | 22 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. JohnsonĀ
31 RB
3 FPTS
|
D. Johnson | 4 | 3 | 38 | 0 | 17 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. FellsĀ
85 TE
9 FPTS
|
D. Fells | 2 | 1 | 37 | 1 | 37 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. RossĀ
16 WR
9 FPTS
|
J. Ross | 4 | 4 | 37 | 1 | 15 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. BrownĀ
12 WR
2 FPTS
|
J. Brown | 4 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 16 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. EllingtonĀ
38 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. Ellington | 3 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. GoldenĀ
10 WR
0 FPTS
|
B. Golden | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. WilliamsĀ
33 RB
12 FPTS
|
K. Williams | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. GreshamĀ
84 TE
0 FPTS
|
J. Gresham | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
J. BethelĀ
28 CB
|
J. Bethel | 7-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. MooreĀ
54 ILB
|
S. Moore | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. SwearingerĀ
36 FS
|
D. Swearinger | 6-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. MillerĀ
34 CB
|
H. Miller | 4-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. CooperĀ
41 CB
|
M. Cooper | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. GoldenĀ
44 OLB
|
M. Golden | 3-1 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. MauroĀ
97 DE
|
J. Mauro | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. MinterĀ
51 MLB
|
K. Minter | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. PetersonĀ
21 CB
|
P. Peterson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. MartinĀ
96 LB
|
K. Martin | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. GunterĀ
95 NT
|
R. Gunter | 2-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. VallesĀ
89 TE
|
H. Valles | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. WilliamsĀ
33 RB
|
K. Williams | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. WilliamsĀ
26 CB
|
B. Williams | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. GoldenĀ
10 WR
|
B. Golden | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. PetersĀ
98 NT
|
C. Peters | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. BryantĀ
25 DB
|
C. Bryant | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JonesĀ
55 OLB
|
C. Jones | 1-1 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BrewerĀ
46 LS
|
A. Brewer | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. NelsonĀ
14 WR
|
J. Nelson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. CampbellĀ
93 DE
|
C. Campbell | 1-2 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. WrightĀ
58 ILB
|
S. Wright | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. CatanzaroĀ
7 K
0 FPTS
|
C. Catanzaro | 3/3 | 47 | 5/5 | 14 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. WileĀ
6 P
|
M. Wile | 3 | 49.0 | 0 | 54 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
P. PetersonĀ 21 CB
0 FPTS
|
P. Peterson | 4 | 6.5 | 17 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. GoffĀ
16 QB
4 FPTS
|
J. Goff | 13/20 | 120 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. MannionĀ
14 QB
-2 FPTS
|
S. Mannion | 3/6 | 19 | 0 | 1 | -2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HekkerĀ
6 P
0 FPTS
|
J. Hekker | 1/1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. CooperĀ
10 WR
1 FPTS
|
P. Cooper | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. GurleyĀ
30 RB
7 FPTS
|
T. Gurley | 14 | 40 | 0 | 8 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BrownĀ
39 RB
1 FPTS
|
M. Brown | 5 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. AustinĀ
11 WR
-1 FPTS
|
T. Austin | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. MannionĀ
14 QB
-2 FPTS
|
S. Mannion | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 | -2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. GurleyĀ
30 RB
7 FPTS
|
T. Gurley | 5 | 4 | 37 | 0 | 29 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. CooperĀ
10 WR
1 FPTS
|
P. Cooper | 6 | 4 | 36 | 0 | 23 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. AustinĀ
11 WR
-1 FPTS
|
T. Austin | 4 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 10 | -1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. ThomasĀ
13 WR
1 FPTS
|
M. Thomas | 1 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. QuickĀ
83 WR
1 FPTS
|
B. Quick | 7 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. KendricksĀ
88 TE
1 FPTS
|
L. Kendricks | 3 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. McRobertsĀ
8 WR
0 FPTS
|
P. McRoberts | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. ReynoldsĀ
34 RB
0 FPTS
|
C. Reynolds | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
T. JohnsonĀ
22 CB
|
T. Johnson | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BarronĀ
26 OLB
|
M. Barron | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. CountessĀ
29 CB
|
B. Countess | 4-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. OgletreeĀ
52 MLB
|
A. Ogletree | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AlexanderĀ
31 FS
|
M. Alexander | 3-2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McDonaldĀ
25 SS
|
T. McDonald | 3-2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. GainesĀ
33 CB
|
E. Gaines | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. SimsĀ
97 DE
|
E. Sims | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. JordanĀ
35 DB
|
M. Jordan | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. LittletonĀ
58 OLB
|
C. Littleton | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. WestbrooksĀ
93 DE
|
E. Westbrooks | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. HayesĀ
95 DE
|
W. Hayes | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. ThomasĀ
13 WR
|
M. Thomas | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BrockersĀ
90 DT
|
M. Brockers | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. CooperĀ
10 WR
|
P. Cooper | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. DavisĀ
38 DB
|
C. Davis | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. GurleyĀ
30 RB
|
T. Gurley | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. EasleyĀ
91 DT
|
D. Easley | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. FoxĀ
70 DE
|
M. Fox | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. ReynoldsĀ
34 RB
|
C. Reynolds | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. ThomasĀ
92 DT
|
C. Thomas | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. ZuerleinĀ
4 K
0 FPTS
|
G. Zuerlein | 2/2 | 37 | 0/0 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. HekkerĀ
6 P
|
J. Hekker | 7 | 48.1 | 1 | 73 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
P. CooperĀ
10 WR
1 FPTS
|
P. Cooper | 4 | 18.3 | 29 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. AustinĀ 11 WR
-1 FPTS
|
T. Austin | 3 | 6.0 | 18 | 0 |