Cardinals vs Rams final score: Arizona wins 18-16 on October 18, 2026. See game highlights, Chad Ryland’s six field goals, player stats and NFL results.
The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Rams 18-16 on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in a dramatic NFC West matchup at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland delivered the decisive moment, converting a 43-yard field goal as time expired to secure Arizona’s second victory of the NFL season.
Ryland accounted for all 18 of Arizona’s points by making six field goals, while quarterback Jacoby Brissett directed the final possession that put the Cardinals in position to win.
Los Angeles briefly moved ahead late in the fourth quarter when Matthew Stafford connected with tight end Colby Parkinson for a touchdown. However, the Rams could not prevent Arizona’s final scoring drive.
The result left both teams with identical 2-4 records after six weeks of regular-season play.
Here is a complete look at the Cardinals vs Rams score, quarter-by-quarter results, game highlights, player statistics, turning points, and what the outcome means for both teams.
Cardinals vs Rams Final Score: October 18, 2026
Cardinals vs. Rams
SoFi Stadium • Inglewood, CA
Cardinals
2-4
18
Final
Today
16
Rams
2-4
OverviewTeam StatsPlayer StatsPlay-By-Play
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | T |
|
ARI |
3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 18 |
|
LA |
3 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 16 |
The Week 6 contest ended with Arizona winning by two points.
| Quarter | Cardinals | Rams |
|---|---|---|
| First | 3 | 3 |
| Second | 6 | 6 |
| Third | 3 | 0 |
| Fourth | 6 | 7 |
| Final | 18 | 16 |
Source: October 18, 2026 game box score.
Game Information
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Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
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Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
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Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. Eastern Time
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Winning team: Arizona Cardinals
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Final result: Arizona 18, Los Angeles 16
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Arizona record after game: 2-4
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Los Angeles record after game: 2-4
The Cardinals ended a four-game losing streak, while the Rams suffered their fourth defeat of the season.
Cardinals vs Rams Highlights: How the Game Unfolded
The contest was largely defined by defensive resistance, missed offensive opportunities, and Arizona’s ability to convert field goals.
First Quarter: Both Teams Trade Field Goals
The Rams opened the scoring when kicker Blake Grupe converted a 44-yard field goal.
Arizona responded with Chad Ryland’s 34-yard field goal, tying the contest at 3-3.
Los Angeles then faced an early special teams setback when Grupe suffered a knee injury while tackling Cardinals returner Devin Duvernay on a kickoff.
The injury would affect the Rams’ kicking options throughout the remainder of the game.
Second Quarter: Rams Score the First Touchdown
Ryland added a 30-yard field goal early in the second quarter to move Arizona ahead 6-3.
Los Angeles responded with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to running back Blake Corum.
The Rams’ two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Los Angeles ahead 9-6.
Arizona continued to rely on its kicking unit and tied the game at 9-9 when Ryland made another field goal before halftime.
Third Quarter: Arizona Takes Control
Neither offense generated a touchdown during the third quarter.
Arizona moved ahead 12-9 on a 38-yard field goal by Ryland, his fourth successful kick of the game.
The Cardinals’ defense limited the Rams’ offensive production, while Arizona controlled enough possession time to maintain a narrow advantage.
Fourth Quarter: A Dramatic Finish
Ryland converted a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to extend Arizona’s advantage to 15-9.
With less than three minutes remaining, Stafford led Los Angeles on a late scoring drive.
His 6-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson, followed by an extra point from punter Ethan Evans, put the Rams ahead 16-15 with 47 seconds remaining.
But Arizona was not finished.
Brissett completed a 21-yard pass to Ja’Corey Brissett, and an unnecessary roughness penalty against Los Angeles helped move the Cardinals into scoring range.
Ryland then converted the game-winning 43-yard field goal as the clock expired.
Final: Arizona Cardinals 18, Los Angeles Rams 16.
[Related: Cardinals vs Rams: Game Preview, Key Matchups, Predictions and Latest Updates]
Cardinals vs Rams Player Stats: Who Stood Out?
The game featured strong individual contributions from both quarterbacks, but Arizona’s special teams ultimately made the difference.
Quarterback Statistics
| Player | Completions/Attempts | Passing yards | Passing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals | 24/35 | 218 | 0 |
| Matthew Stafford, Rams | 25/33 | 222 | 2 |
Brissett guided Arizona’s late game-winning drive despite not throwing a touchdown pass.
Stafford produced two touchdowns through the air, but Los Angeles struggled to maintain offensive consistency throughout the contest.
Other Notable Performances
Chad Ryland — Arizona Cardinals
Ryland was the game’s leading scorer and standout performer, converting all six of his field-goal attempts. His final kick from 43 yards decided the result.
Bam Knight — Arizona Cardinals
Knight rushed for 80 yards on 15 carries, providing Arizona with an important contribution on the ground.
Puka Nacua — Los Angeles Rams
Nacua finished with 80 receiving yards and delivered important catches during the Rams’ fourth-quarter scoring drive.
Colby Parkinson — Los Angeles Rams
Parkinson caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Stafford with 47 seconds remaining, temporarily giving Los Angeles the lead.
Cardinals vs Rams Team Statistics
| Team statistic | Cardinals | Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Total offensive yards | 338 | 286 |
| Points scored | 18 | 16 |
| Touchdowns | 0 | 2 |
| Successful field goals | 6 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 34:52 | 25:08 |
Arizona’s advantage in total yardage and possession time helped offset its inability to score an offensive touchdown.
What Were the Biggest Turning Points?
Chad Ryland’s Perfect Kicking Performance
Arizona repeatedly moved into scoring position without reaching the end zone.
Ryland ensured those possessions still produced points. His six successful kicks accounted for every Cardinals point.
Blake Grupe’s First-Quarter Injury
Los Angeles lost its kicker shortly after he made an opening-quarter field goal.
That forced adjustments to extra-point attempts and contributed to more complicated scoring decisions for the Rams.
Arizona’s Last-Minute Drive
The Rams led 16-15 with just 47 seconds remaining.
On Arizona’s ensuing possession, Brissett completed a 21-yard pass to wide receiver Jalen Brooks. A 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty against Rams cornerback Josh Wallace advanced the Cardinals further into Los Angeles territory.
Tyler Allgeier then added a five-yard run before Ryland kicked the winning field goal.
Where to Watch Cardinals vs Rams Highlights
Fans who missed the game can find official recaps and available video highlights through the following sources:
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NFL.com — Official scores, highlights, and game statistics.
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Arizona Cardinals official website — Team coverage and postgame reactions.
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Los Angeles Rams official game recap — Detailed scoring information and game photography.
Highlights worth watching include Stafford’s touchdown passes, Arizona’s sustained second-half drives, and Ryland’s game-winning kick.
[Related: Cardinals vs Rams Game Preview, Key Matchups and Predictions]
When Do the Cardinals and Rams Play Again?
The next scheduled regular-season meeting between the teams is November 15, 2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals |
| Date | Sunday, November 15, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Location | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona |
| Scheduled TV network | CBS |
The game will provide Los Angeles with an opportunity to respond to its October defeat, while Arizona will attempt to secure another NFC West victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Cardinals vs Rams game?
The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Rams 18-16 on October 18, 2026.
What was the final Cardinals vs Rams score?
The final score was Arizona 18, Los Angeles 16.
Who scored the winning points?
Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland made a 43-yard field goal as time expired. He scored all 18 of Arizona’s points.
How many touchdowns did the Cardinals score?
Arizona did not score a touchdown. All its points came from six field goals.
What are the Cardinals and Rams records after the game?
Both teams have 2-4 records following the October 18 matchup.
Conclusion: Cardinals vs Rams Final Takeaways
The October 18 Cardinals vs Rams game was decided by special teams, sustained offensive possessions, and a dramatic final drive.
Arizona overcame its inability to reach the end zone by relying on Chad Ryland’s six successful field goals. Meanwhile, Los Angeles received two touchdown passes from Matthew Stafford but could not protect its late fourth-quarter lead.
The 18-16 victory ended Arizona’s four-game losing streak and left both NFC West rivals with identical 2-4 records.
Their November 15 rematch offers another opportunity to assess how both teams are developing during the 2026 season.
For fans following the rivalry, the most important storylines remain quarterback performance, offensive consistency, injury recovery, and special teams execution.
