FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 17 · December 28, 2024 · 9 min read

Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams: 2024 Week 17 Recap

Rams defeat Cardinals 13–9 in Week 17

Malik Harrison led Fantasy Impact as Rams prevailed in a 9–13 Week 17 finish.

Arizona Cardinals 9 7–9
Final 9–13
Los Angeles Rams 13 10–6 Winner
Winner
Los Angeles Rams
Final score
9–13
Halftime
Arizona Cardinals 0–10 Los Angeles Rams
Top passer
Kenneth Murray, Jr.
FantasyHQ MVP
Malik Harrison
Game date
December 28, 2024

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • Malik Harrison
    Malik Harrison 6 REC · 96 YDS +5.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Trey McBride
    Trey McBride 12 REC · 123 YDS · 1 TD +3.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Kenneth Murray, Jr.
    Kenneth Murray, Jr. 33/58 · 298 YDS · 1 TD +2.2 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Rams

  • Puka Nacua
    Puka Nacua 10 REC · 129 YDS +4.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Matthew Stafford
    Matthew Stafford 4 CAR · 5 YDS +0.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Kristian Williams
    Kristian Williams 3 REC · 16 YDS +0.8 Fantasy Impact

Game story

The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals 13–9 in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-12-28, a matchup that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half. The decisive swing (-55.2% win probability) came in the fourth quarter when Arizona Cardinals swung the momentum.

In Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-12-28, the Los Angeles Rams took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 13–9 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +2.16 total EPA, and +2.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Harrison (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.94 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-55.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (:42) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left intended for 85-T.McBride INTERCEPTED by 4-A.Witherspoon at LA 1. 4-A.Witherspoon to LA 1 for no gain (17-Z.Jones). The Replay Official reviewed the intercep

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q2Q3Q4T
Arizona Cardinals063009
Los Angeles Rams10030013

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

  1. 1 M. Harrison · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.94 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
  2. 2 P. Nacua · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +4.83 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
  3. 3 T. McBride · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.46 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
  4. 4 K. Murray · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +2.16 total EPA · 58 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
  5. 5 Mi. Wilson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.79 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
  6. 6 Z. Jones · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.37 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.37 EPA/play
  7. 7 K. Murray · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.27 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
  8. 8 M. Stafford · Los Angeles Rams · Rushing · +0.94 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

M. Harrison — ARI · Receiving

M. Harrison posted the highest total EPA (+5.94) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Arizona Cardinals's efficiency. Across 10 counted snaps, they averaged +0.59 EPA per play.

The signature play (-5.66 EPA) came from Arizona Cardinals: (:42) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left intended for 85-T.McBride INTERCEPTED by 4-A.Witherspoon at LA 1. 4-A.Witherspoon to LA 1 for no gain (17-Z.Jones). The Replay Official reviewed the interception ruling, and the

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Los Angeles Rams — K. Williams (Q2 33:28)
  • Arizona Cardinals — T. McBride (K. Murray pass) (Q3 23:35)

Field goals

  • Los Angeles Rams — J. Karty (Q2 30:32)
  • Arizona Cardinals — C. Ryland (Q4 14:04)
  • Los Angeles Rams — J. Karty (Q4 6:36)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The second quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 10–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 33:28) — (3:28) 23-K.Williams right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 33:23) — 16-J.Karty extra point is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 35 (Q2 30:32) — (:32) 16-J.Karty 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 6–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q3 23:35) — (8:35) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 85-T.McBride for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the LA 10 (Q4 14:04) — (14:04) 38-C.Ryland 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 7 (Q4 6:36) — (6:36) 16-J.Karty 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

  • Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:42) — (:42) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left intended for 85-T.McBride INTERCEPTED by 4-A.Witherspoon at LA 1. 4-A.Witherspoon to LA 1 for no gain (17-Z.Jones). The Replay Official reviewed the intercep [WPA -55.2% · EPA -5.66]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:25) — (1:25) (Shotgun) 22-M.Carter up the middle to LA 20 for 13 yards (39-J.McCollough; 3-K.Curl). LA-26-K.Kinchens was injured during the play. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +0.81]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 18:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 18-M.Harrison to LA 40 for 23 yards (37-Q.Lake). [WPA +10.4% · EPA +2.53]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:35) — (1:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 85-T.McBride pushed ob at LA 41 for 17 yards (26-K.Kinchens). [WPA +10.4% · EPA +1.66]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 41:10) — (11:10) 6-J.Conner right guard to LA 14 for no gain (8-J.Verse, 48-O.Speights). [WPA -10.1% · EPA -4.42]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

  • Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:42) — (:42) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left intended for 85-T.McBride INTERCEPTED by 4-A.Witherspoon at LA 1. 4-A.Witherspoon to LA 1 for no gain (17-Z.Jones). The Replay Official reviewed the intercep [WPA -55.2% · EPA -5.66]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 41:10) — (11:10) 6-J.Conner right guard to LA 14 for no gain (8-J.Verse, 48-O.Speights). [WPA -10.1% · EPA -4.42]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 18:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 18-M.Harrison to LA 40 for 23 yards (37-Q.Lake). [WPA +10.4% · EPA +2.53]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 46:04) — (1:04) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 85-T.McBride pushed ob at LA 47 for 34 yards (37-Q.Lake). [WPA +6.8% · EPA +2.19]

Quarterback report card

K.Murray led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 58 dropbacks · 56.9% completion · +2.6% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +2.16 total EPA
  • M.Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) · 36 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · -12.2% CPOE · -0.03 EPA/play · -1.10 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

StatArizona CardinalsLos Angeles Rams
Offensive EPA/play-0.063-0.044
Offensive success rate49.5%46.5%
Pass EPA/play+0.037-0.030
Rush EPA/play-0.235-0.134
Defensive EPA/play+0.044+0.063
Defensive success rate53.5%50.5%

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Arizona Cardinals -0.06, Los Angeles Rams -0.04) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

  • Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, -5.84 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
  • Los Angeles Rams: 10 drives, -3.11 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

  • Los Angeles Rams leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
  • One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
  • M. Harrison (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
  • M. Stafford (LA) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

  1. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 33:28 · ARI 1 · Score 0-6
    (3:28) 23-K.Williams right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 33:23 · ARI 15 · Score 0-7
    16-J.Karty extra point is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans.
  3. Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 30:32 · ARI 35 · Score 0-10
    (:32) 16-J.Karty 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans.
  4. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 23:35 · LA 1 · Score 6-10
    (8:35) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 85-T.McBride for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  5. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 14:04 · LA 10 · Score 9-10
    (14:04) 38-C.Ryland 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.
  6. Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q4 6:36 · ARI 7 · Score 9-13
    (6:36) 16-J.Karty 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-A.Ward, Holder-42-E.Evans.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?

The Los Angeles Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals 13-9 in Week 17, 2024 on 2024-12-28.

What was the final score of Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?

The final score was Arizona Cardinals 9, Los Angeles Rams 13 (ARI 9-13 LA) in Week 17, 2024 on 2024-12-28.

What was the score by quarter in Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?

Q2: Arizona Cardinals 0, Los Angeles Rams 10; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 6, Los Angeles Rams 0; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 3, Los Angeles Rams 3; Final: Arizona Cardinals 9, Los Angeles Rams 13.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?

Los Angeles Rams touchdown — K. Williams (Q2 33:28) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — T. McBride (K. Murray pass) (Q3 23:35) Los Angeles Rams field goal — J. Karty (Q2 30:32, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — C. Ryland (Q4 14:04, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — J. Karty (Q4 6:36, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?

K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals), 56.9% completion, +2.6% CPOE, +0.04 EPA per dropback, +2.16 total passing EPA. M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams), 47.2% completion, -12.2% CPOE, -0.03 EPA per dropback, -1.10 total passing EPA.

Who was the most impactful player in Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?

M. Harrison (Arizona Cardinals) led the game in total EPA with +5.94 on receiving plays. across 10 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.66 EPA): (:42) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left intended for 85-T.McBride INTERCEPTED by 4-A.Witherspoon at LA 1. 4-A.Witherspoon to LA 1 for no gain (17-Z.Jones). The Replay Official r. The biggest win-probability swing was -55.2%.

Was Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams a close game?

Yes — the margin was 4 points. Los Angeles Rams won 13-9 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

Season records after this game

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 7-8 Now 7-9 L

Los Angeles Rams

Entered 9-6 Now 10-6 W