NFL Overreactions Week 17
USAT’s Prince Grimes breaks down the best games of NFL Week 17 and the unfolding playoff picture.
Sports Seriously
The Arizona Cardinals conclude their 2025 NFL regular season schedule with an NFL Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams today.
The Cardinals are coming off a 37-14 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals in their NFL Week 17 game.
The Rams lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the 17th week of the season, 27-24.
This is the second meeting between the NFC West rivals this season. The Rams beat the Cardinals on Dec. 17 in Arizona, 45-17.
Follow our live updates of the game, which is being played at the Rams’ SoFi Stadium, for the latest score, news, notes and analysis of the Week 18 NFL game on Sunday, Jan. 4.
Watch Cardinals at Rams with FUBO (free trial)
Michael Wilson grabbed a pass thrown by Jacoby Briseet, but so did Ahkello Witherspoon.
The Rams’ corner wrestling the ball from the hands of Wilson for an interception. It appeared the call could have gone either way, but the call on the field was an interception. Had the ball not been underthrown, it could have been a Cardinals TD.
L.A. quickly turned the interception into a field goal as the clock ran out for the first half.
Score: Rams 16, Cardinals 6 (Half)
The Cardinals kept the Rams out of the end zone on third-and-goal from the 1. But on fourth-and-goal, Matthew Stafford completed a pass to Puka Nacua, who hauled it in with one hand for the touchdown.
The touchdown broke a streak of six field goals the teams had combined for in the first half.
The touchdown came with 1:22 left in the second quarter.
Stafford is 12-for-18 passing for 88 yards and a touchdown. Puka has six catches for 38 yards.
Score: Rams 13, Cardinals 6 (1:22 Q2)
So far, it’s been a battle of field goals.
The Rams added another shot with a 42-yard field goal from Harrison Mevis.
The play came at the end of a 49-yard drive that featured a couple of near-interceptions by the Cardinals and put the Rams up 6-3.
Arizona answered 2 minutes later with a 56-yard field goal from Chad Ryland.
The drive lasted just six plays, but included a 28-yard pass from Jacoby Brissett to Trey McBride that put the Cardinals in field goal range.
Score: Rams 6, Cardinals 6 (9:35 Q2)
Arizona put together a solid drive and tied the game with a 45-yard field goal from Chad Ryland.
QB Jacoby Brissett completed passes to tight end Elijah Higgins, receiver Michael Wilson and tight end Trey McBride as the Cardinals covered 56 yards on 13 plays.
Brissett is 7-for-9 passing for 63 yards. Wilson has two catches for 33 yards.
Score: Cardinals 3, Rams 3 (3:26 Q1)
Jacoby Brissett completed a 7-yard pass to tight end Trey McBride on the Cardinals’ first offensive play.
It went downhill from there.
Next came a 5-yard penalty, a pass for a short gain, and then a strip sack fumble, which was recovered by the Rams.
The Cardinals’ defense made a stand by holding the Rams to a 34-yard field goal after they were gifted the ball on the Arizona 23.
Score: Rams 3, Cardinals 0 (11:07 Q1)
Inactives for Week 18 vs. Arizona:
WR Davante Adams
TE Terrance Ferguson
RB Jarquez Hunter
CB Josh Wallace
CB Darious Williams
OL Kevin Dotson pic.twitter.com/im89E3tBTQ
— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 4, 2026
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon enters his team’s final game of a lost season Sunday, Jan. 4, with his job status uncertain.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter, however, shone a ray of hope on Gannon’s future during the network’s NFL pregame show.Â
Schefter offered his opinion on the NFL coaching hot seat, saying two coaches are out. Las Vegas Raiders first-year coach Pete Carroll and Cleveland Browns’ Kevin Stefanski.
Among Schefter’s “leans” one way or the other — with the obvious caveat that not all the conversations have been conducted — was that Gannon’s status was “leaning safe.”
Cardinals vs Rams schedule: What time is NFL Week 18 game?
The NFL Week 18 game between the Cardinals and Rams is on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 2:25 p.m. MST, 4:25 p.m. ET.
Rams vs Cardinals TV: What channel is NFL Week 18 game on?
The Rams vs Cardinals NFL Week 18 game can be seen on FOX.
Cardinals vs Rams streaming: How do I watch NFL Week 18 game on livestream?
Streaming options for the Cardinals vs Rams game include FUBO, which offers a free trial, and other streaming services that carry FOX, like Sling.
Rams vs Cardinals announcers: Who is calling the NFL Week 18 game?
Kenny Albert (play-by-play) and Jonathan Vilma (analyst) are scheduled to be the announcers for the Cardinals-Rams Week 18 NFL game.
Cardinals vs Rams game odds: Who is favored in NFL Week 18?
The Rams are a 9.5-point favorite over the Cardinals in NFL Week 18 odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
Los Angeles is -500 on the moneyline, while Arizona is +380.
The over/under (point total) is set at 47.5 points.
Rams vs Cardinals picks, predictions: Who will win NFL Week 18 game?
The Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff is predicting a 27-19 win for the Rams over the Cardinals in the Week 18 NFL game today.
Some other also favor the Rams to beat the Cardinals in their NFL Week 18 picks and NFL Week 18 game predictions for Jan. 4.
Pregame reading for Cardinals vs Rams Week 18 NFL game today
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