Sean McVay congratulates Matthew Stafford after the QB records the first playoff victory of his career. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rams blow out Cardinals, 34-11, to advance to divisional round

By Adam Stites | Last updated 1/17/22

The Los Angeles Rams dominated the Arizona Cardinals from start to finish in a 34-11 win to breeze through to a divisional round matchup against the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford earned the first postseason victory of his 13-year NFL career with a stellar performance, completing 13 of 17 passes for 202 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also added 22 rushing yards and a 1-yard rushing touchdown.

The Rams' pair of star receivers, Odell Beckham Jr. and Cooper Kupp, each caught a touchdown pass and Beckham became the first player in NFL history to record both a reception and a pass of at least 30 yards in a playoff game.

.@obj completes a 40-yard pass to @thereal_cam3!! No, that is not a typo.

@ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/feS9pX9U2y
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 18, 2022

While the Los Angeles offense was firing on all cylinders, the Cardinals offense sputtered. Arizona's first four drives totaled minus-8 yards and resulted in four punts. Kyler Murray then threw interceptions on the next two drives, including a disastrous pick-six when he panicked about the possibility of taking a safety.

The Rams will face the Buccaneers on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. The two teams met in Week 3 with Los Angeles coming out on top, 34-24.

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