Summary

  • Arizona Cardinals 11-34 Los Angeles Rams

  • Rams now face Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday

  • Victory marks the first play-off win for Rams QB Matt Stafford after 186 NFL games

  • Get involved via #bbcnfl

  1. Thanks and goodbyepublished at 04:59 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

    Right, that's it from us at the end of a marathon, three-day Super Wildcard Weekend.

    We've seen thrills and spills aplenty - and the action is only just getting going.

    Eight very strong teams remain and it will be fascinating to see which of them takes their place in Super Bowl 56 on 13 February.

    We'll know more after next weekend's divisional round, which you'll be able to follow with us right here.

    See you then.

  2. Beckham stars as Rams beat Cardinals - read the reportpublished at 04:55 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

    Arizona Cardinals 11-34 Los Angeles Rams

    Odell Beckham JrImage source, Reuters

    Odell Beckham Jr scored the first play-off touchdown of his career to set the Los Angeles Rams on course for a 34-11 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

    The three-time Pro Bowler made four catches for 54 yards as the Rams dominated the first half to lead 21-0 against the misfiring Cardinals.

    Beckham, 29, even made a 40-yard pass on a trick play to set up the Rams' fourth touchdown, for Cooper Kupp.

    LA will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in next week's divisional round.

    Read the full report.

  3. Divisional Round line-up setpublished at 04:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

    Divisional Round schedule (away teams first, kick-offs in GMT)

    Saturday, 22 January

    • Cincinnati Bengals v Tennessee Titans (21:30)
    • San Francisco 49ers v Green Bay Packers (01:15)

    Sunday, 23 January

    • LA Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20:00)
    • Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs (23:30)
    • Bucs will be a 'big challenge'published at 04:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 11-34 Los Angeles Rams

      Stafford is also asked whether the Rams' 34-24 week-three victory over the Buccaneers will have any bearing on their match-up next weekend.

      "It feels like forever ago," says Stafford. "I think they're a little bit of a different team personnel-wise, we are as well. We're just going to have to go back and watch that game, figure out what could be better.

      "It'll be a big challenge for us, going on the road against Tom and those guys."

    • 'Happy to get one, looking for more'published at 04:34 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 11-34 Los Angeles Rams

      That win marks the first ever in the play-offs for Rams quarterback Matt Stafford, 186 games into his NFL career.

      "Feels great, What a team win, right?" Stafford said. "Our defence played outstanding, our special teams had some huge plays. The offence did enough to put enough points on the board to win it.

      "I'm just proud to be part of this team. Happy to get one, looking for more.

      "We jumped out and got a nice lead. Playing against our defence when we have a lead, that's tough for an opposing quarterback, so I knew it was going to be a long day for Arizona."

      Matt StaffordImage source, Reuters
    • Game over - Rams advance to Divisional Roundpublished at 04:24 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 11-34 Los Angeles Rams

      In the end, all too easy. The Rams are off to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the next round.

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    • Two-minute warningpublished at 04:21 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 11-34 Los Angeles Rams

      The sting has gone from the game now and the players are just going through the motions as the clock ticks down.

    • field goal

      Field goal - Ramspublished at 04:11 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 11-34 Los Angeles Rams

      Matt Gay adds another three points to the Rams' total from 46 yards.

      I'd say start the car but it's been idling since the second quarter.

    • Kupp warming uppublished at 04:07 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 11-31 Los Angeles Rams

      Cooper Kupp has perhaps not lived up to his stellar regular season performances in this game but he's still done a steady job for the Rams and has just made two big first downs. First for 29 yards and then for 16 and suddenly the Rams are threatening the scoreboard again.

    • Baker has 'movement and feeling in extremities'published at 04:02 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      The below has been shared by the official Arizona Cardinals Twitter account. Mark Dalton is the team's senior vice-president of media relations.

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    • field goal

      Field goal - Cardinalspublished at 03:58 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 11-31 Los Angeles Rams

      It took the Cards 12 plays to make 48 yards and in the end they have to settle for a field goal from 55 yards by Matt Prater.

      Not really what they need at this stage in proceedings.

    • Baker taken away in ambulancepublished at 03:54 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      We've just seen TV images of Budda Baker being taken away in an ambulance after that sickening collision. Obviously we will bring you updates as they become available.

    • field goal

      Field goal - Ramspublished at 03:50 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 8-31 Los Angeles Rams

      Matt Gay makes no mistake from 37 yards to nudge the Rams further in front.

    • End of the thirdpublished at 03:47 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 8-28 Los Angeles Rams

      JJ Watt returned tonight for Arizona after a rapid recovery from shoulder surgery and, on third and one, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year stuffs a run play up the middle by Cam Akers.

      That brings us to the end of the third quarter, with Rams kicker Matt Gay set to go for a field goal.

    • Baker carted offpublished at 03:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 8-28 Los Angeles Rams

      Arizona's Pro-Bowl safety Budda Baker suffers a nasty blow to the head while making the tackle, though, and is left prone on the turf. There's a lengthy stoppage as he receives treatment before being carted off at SoFi Stadium.

    • Rams rolling againpublished at 03:39 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 8-28 Los Angeles Rams

      There's no chance the Rams are going to take it easy on Arizona here, they're divisional rivals remember.

      And on the second play of their drive, Matt Stafford unleashes a deep pass to Van Jefferson for 41 yards. Cam Akers then runs it into the red zone.

    • touchdown

      Touchdown - Cardinalspublished at 03:31 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 8-28 Los Angeles Rams

      Arizona finally get some offence going, with Kyler Murray finding Christian Kirk with a deep ball to get the Cardinals in the red zone, where James Conner punches it in to cap a 12-play drive for 75 yards.

      They manage to convert on the two-point attempt too. That salvages some pride at least.

    • touchdown

      Touchdown - Ramspublished at 03:21 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 0-28 Los Angeles Rams

      Well, Cooper Kupp had been quiet. But from second and six at Arizona's seven-yard line, Matt Stafford drops back and sidearms a short pass towards his top receiver, and Kupp shows great grip strength to hold on to it as he bends down to make the catch just a few inches off the deck.

      That's now four touchdowns for the Rams.

    • Trick play - Beckham makes 40-yard passpublished at 03:18 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 0-21 Los Angeles Rams

      Wow, now Odell Beckham Jr is making passes too.

      With the pressure off, the Rams dial up a trick play as Matt Stafford plays it backwards to Beckham and, cool as you like, Beckham steadies himself before arcing a pinpoint pass across the field to Cam Akers for a 40-yard gain. Beautiful.

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    • Kick-off - second half under waypublished at 03:13 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2022

      Arizona Cardinals 0-21 Los Angeles Rams

      We've got going again at SoFi Stadium, with the Rams in possession.

      Cooper Kupp may be the league leader for receiving yards but he's been quiet tonight and now a Matt Stafford pass slips from his grasp.