The Rams move one step closer to winning the NFC West with a 13-9 victory over the Cardinals

After the Bengals win over the Broncos earlier on Saturday, the Rams entered their matchup with the Cardinals needing a win and some realistic help to win the NFC West.

It took a game-saving interception to seal it late in the fourth quarter, but Los Angeles was able to come away with a 13-9 win.

The Rams had a 10-0 halftime lead, but the Cardinals cut it to one point with a pair of long drives in the third quarter. Trey McBride caught his first touchdown of the season on his 98th catch, though the extra point was blocked to keep LA up 10-6.

Then Chad Ryland hit a 28-yard field goal to cap a 14-play drive that cut the Cardinals’ deficit to 10-9.

Los Angeles had just three plays for 19 yards in the third quarter, but finally got things going with a long drive in the fourth – ending with a 25-yard field goal by Joshua Karty.

The Rams picked up a fourth-and-10 turnover from the Arizona 40 with Kamren Kitchens’ interception on a pass intended for Marvin Harrison Jr. But the decision to catch it rather than punt it proved costly as the Rams started their possession at the 10 instead of the 40.

They then went three-and-out, giving the Cardinals the ball at their own 36.

It didn’t take long for Arizona to get into the red zone, with a first down at the LA 20 with 1:12 left. A few plays later, the Cardinals had first-and-goal at the 5 with 42 seconds left.

But that’s when cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon saved the day, securing a pass that went out of McBride’s hands for an interception. Witherspoon had control of the ball before it hit the ground and the play was able to stand on further review.

With his second interception of the game, Murray finished the night 33-of-48 for 321 yards with a touchdown. He also had 32 yards rushing on four carries.

McBride had a career high 12 catches, totaling 123 yards with a TD. Marvin Harrison Jr. caught six passes for 96 yards.

For the Rams, Matthew Stafford completed 17-of-32 passes for 189 yards. Puka Nacua caught 10 passes for 129 yards. Kyren Williams had 56 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown.

With the win, the Rams are now 10-6 and can win the NFC West if three of Minnesota, Buffalo, San Francisco, Washington and Cleveland win this weekend. Or two of these teams can win with one draw.

If they don’t strike like that, the Rams can punch their ticket with a win over the Seahawks in Week 18.

The 7-9 Cardinals close out the season against the 49ers next week.