By Jourdan Rodrigue, Doug Haller and Tobias Bass

The Los Angeles Rams are poised to clinch a postseason berth and the NFC West crown after a 13-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night.

The Rams (10-6) have won five straight games despite scoring a total of 44 points in their last three games, and also lost to the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers. But Los Angeles’ defense has kept the team in the playoff hunt (in three weeks, the Rams have allowed 24 points, with a defensive performance again marking Saturday’s victory).

Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 17 of 32 passes for 189 yards and no touchdowns. The Rams’ only touchdown came late in the second quarter on a 1-yard run by running back Kyren Williams.

Star receiver Puka Nacua reached the century mark with 10 catches for 129 yards, while Cooper Kupp had a quiet night, catching one pass for 29 yards.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, had plenty of opportunities to win, but two interceptions late in the fourth quarter by Rams rookie safety Kamren Kinchens and veteran corner Ahkello Witherspoon helped seal the game.

While the win gives the Rams control of the division, they still need help to secure the title, especially with a win tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks. Los Angeles needs a combined 2.5 or more wins from the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns for the win strength tiebreaker.

Accordingly The athleteAccording to the NFL playoff prediction tool, the Rams had an 11 percent chance of making the playoffs after a 1-4 start in Week 6. The rate is over 99 percent, having won nine of the last eleven games. This is the first time the Rams have won five straight games since the 2021 season, when they won the Super Bowl.

Defensive plays make the difference

Two things are true about the later moments of Saturday’s win over Arizona. No. 1, rookie safety Kinchens should have blocked a deep throw from Kyler Murray on fourth-and-10 instead of intercepting it and sliding downfield. No. 2: The Rams’ offense was barely able to mount a blocked offensive attack on the corresponding long field, nor did they appear to be able to sustain the attacks throughout the game. They gave the ball back to Arizona after just three plays and were down four points one second after the 2-minute warning. Arizona quickly drove down the field.

Luckily, veteran cornerback Witherspoon was able to slip under a Murray pass intended for Trey McBride from the Los Angeles 5-yard line in what otherwise would have been a touchdown. Witherspoon’s interception was his first of the season. — Jourdan Rodrigue, Rams senior writer

Los Angeles’ offense continues to struggle

The Rams’ offense has struggled with slow starts and stop-start offensive attacks for most of the year, regardless of the shape of their roster. On Saturday, they had their 13th first quarter without a touchdown this season and an 11th first quarter shutout, this time at the hands of Arizona’s defense.

When they got the ball on their first possession of the fourth quarter, trailing 10-9 with 14 minutes to play, they had just 186 yards of total offense. Nacua accounted for most of those yards, while everyone else had 85 combined. — Rodriguez

Rams have a rising star

Rookie defensive tackle Braden Fiske has emerged as a rising star despite entering the season when “the player was drafted along with first-round pick Jared Verse (teammates at Florida State).”

Fiske’s second-quarter sack on Saturday gave him a team-high eight sacks this season (Kobie Turner tied Fiske with a fourth-quarter sack), the second-most for a rookie behind former star Aaron Donald (nine). and Turner (nine). — Rodriguez

Late game problems sink the Cardinals

Among the NFC’s hottest teams, the Rams weren’t at their best. The Cardinals were banged up, playing without starting tackles and losing running back James Conner most of the night, but still had a golden chance. They couldn’t take advantage of it.

Quarterback Kyler Murray was under pressure most of the evening and was able to find nine receivers for completion. McBride caught his first touchdown pass of the season, an amazing feat for a tight end who entered the contest with 92 receptions. He also managed over 1,000 receiving yards that season. Marvin Harrison Jr. had one of his better games with six catches for 96 yards.

But during that season-ending collapse, in which Arizona lost five of six games, the Cardinals were missing the key factor. Someone who steps up at the last moment and makes a crucial play. No, it’s not easy as the offensive line lost three starters in Week 1. But good teams find a way.

After trailing 13-9 in the final six minutes, the Cardinals had two chances to take the lead. The first time, Murray threw a fourth-down, throwing it up and hoping for the best interception. In the second period, the Cardinals penetrated deep into the red zone and gave themselves a chance.

But on first-and-goal from the Los Angeles 5, Murray fired off a quick pass that McBride wasn’t quite ready for. The ball was deflected and intercepted by McBride. It was a disappointing end for a team that was limping toward the finish line. — Doug Haller, senior writer from Arizona

Required reading

(Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)