A crucial interception and a diving catch secured a victory for the Los Angeles Rams.
Leading 13-9 and defending their own 5-yard line with less than a minute left in Saturday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams needed a miracle to pull off the win.
Veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon provided that miracle when Kyler Murray, under pressure, threw a first-down pass that deflected off tight end Trey McBride’s helmet into the air. Witherspoon made a diving catch to secure the interception, staying in bounds.
Rams head coach Sean McVay praised Witherspoon’s play: “For Ahkello Witherspoon to come up with that interception, I like that we were going after him. We brought a zero blitz, and the guys executed in a big way.”
The Rams’ defense, which had limited a third straight opponent to single-digit points, needed this late-game heroics to almost guarantee a playoff spot. With the win, Los Angeles now has a better than 99% chance of making the postseason. The Rams need a combination of wins and ties from other teams in the next two days to secure the NFC West.
Without Witherspoon’s interception, the Rams would have entered their Week 18 game against the Seahawks with a do-or-die scenario.
“It was just a reminder that the game’s never over,” said Witherspoon after the game.
The Cardinals had been fighting back, narrowing a 10-point halftime deficit with long drives in the second half, bringing the score to 10-9. Despite a field goal from Matthew Stafford, the Rams scored no more points in the second half, with two brief drives and a red-zone interception, giving Murray one last chance.
But 59 yards later, the Rams found a way, as they have so often this season, which turned their 1-4 start into a 10-6 record, thanks to narrow wins. Witherspoon, starting just his fifth game, was the one to seal the victory.
“It’s nothing new for me,” Witherspoon said about his role. “Eight years on the job—that’s really all it is. I stay consistent, and when the time comes, the time comes.”
McVay believes this resilience is a key trait of his team. “I think this is a mentally tough team. We’ve found ways to finish games. We’ve won nine out of 11 opportunities, even if it hasn’t always been the way we wanted.”
Although the Rams aren’t officially in the playoffs yet, their victory over Arizona brought them one step closer. If they make it, they will need even more resilience for a playoff run.
