Dante Stills watched from the sideline thinking what the entire sideline was thinking late in Saturday night's game.
The Cardinals were gonna pull it out.
They couldn't, not after a cruel bounce and turnover just five yards from a winning score. But they had gotten there in large part because of a defense that, stung by its performance the week before in Carolina, wasn't going to let it happen again.
"We handled our business for the most part," Stills said, after the defensive end and his teammates held the Rams to 257 yards despite the Rams at full health with Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and their offensive line – guys that weren't there in Week 2, when the Cardinals held L.A. to 10 points.
This time, it was just 13.
"I thought they battled," coach Jonathan Gannon said. "They were playing a damn good offense."
Budda Baker was effective early, the secondary was mostly impressive and even though Kyren Williams had more yards in the first quarter (27) than he had all of Week 2 (25), he only had 56 for the game. There was nothing spectacular. Just good steady work that kept the Cardinals in the game and, most importantly, got the ball back for the offense's last chance when they absolutely had to have a three-and-out.
The defense will be addressed in the offseason by GM Monti Ossenfort. But making games like Carolina an outlier is crucial. Nick Rallis' unit did the job at SoFi Stadium.
-- That James Conner didn't make it far in the game isn't a shock. Once you're banged up, the margin for error is small. We will see what happens – I would be shocked if Conner wouldn't at least want to think about playing next week and make sure he doesn't miss a game this season – but the team is going to choose wisely.
-- Michael Carter continues to play well when given the chance. That the Cardinals have held on to him on the practice squad all season is fortunate.
-- Trey McBride was so good, and he was the story of the game. Both with how excellent he was and with the final interception. I don't know if he will get All-Pro consideration but he absolutely should.
-- Meanwhile, Marvin Harrison Jr. had his best game against the Rams and then had another great game against the Rams. I am sure Cardinals fans would love to have a Rams killer on the roster.
-- Harrison didn't start for the first time this season (although he was in on the second play and "starting" is all about what play and what formation you call on the initial snap and not as much that the "best" 11 are always out there.)
-- Harrison did have an excellent back-shoulder catch he made, aggressively over the defender, to gain 24. He'll make more of those as his career progresses but it was a good sign.
-- Rookie Christian Jones made his NFL debut Saturday and even got a few snaps at right tackle when he was subbed for Jackson Barton.
-- Speaking of that offensive line, they played better in the second half and it made a difference. That said, Jonathan Gannon believed the first half issues were in part because the Cardinals were often in tough field position (their first two drives started at their own 3 and own 5). Penalties didn't help again. The Cardinals had seven first-half penalties, and six were on the offense.
-- Kyler Murray said he thought OC Drew Petzing might've been trying to get McBride his first TD. His score came on the third end zone effort. McBride became the first Cardinals to score a TD receiving, rushing and by a fumble recovery in a season since Hall of Famer Ollie Matson did it in 1952. Sure, it's an arcane grouping, but still, impressive.
-- McBride's TD came on his 98th catch of the season, so he will hold the record for most catches before getting a TD reception. But with the TD, he no longer can be the guy who has the most receptions in a season with a bagel in the TD column.
-- Somehow, the Cardinals had three offensive penalties on one play – and one wasn't intentional grounding, which during the play looked like it could've been called. Center Hjalte Froholdt was illegally downfield (declined), guard Isaiah Adams held (declined) and wide receiver Michael Wilson committed offensive pass interference (accepted.) I don't think I've ever seen that in my 25 years covering this team.
-- It's importance faded quick, but veteran Zay Jones is never targeted, yet he had a magnificent toe-tap 19-yard catch on the sideline in the fourth quarter. Wasn't even a tap as much as a ballerina rise on the toes as the ball came in. Fantastic wide receiving.
-- The last word goes to Kyler Murray, and his connection with Harrison:
"We haven't even scratched the surface. He's had a good season. Everyone thinks he's had a disappointing season. It's not."
That's all for tonight. Time to fly home.
