The performance marked a significant personal turnaround for Ryland, who entered the contest following a missed 53-yard attempt against the Detroit Lions the previous week. Encouraged by a supportive message from his mother earlier that morning, Ryland became the first NFL kicker this season to successfully convert six field goals in a single game. His 18-point haul stands as the highest individual scoring output for a Cardinals player responsible for all of his team's points since Ernie Nevers recorded 40 points in 1929.
A Dramatic Finish in Inglewood
The game reached a frantic climax in the final minute after Rams tight end Colby Parkinson hauled in a touchdown pass to give Los Angeles a 16-15 lead with just 47 seconds remaining. Despite the late deficit, the Cardinals remained composed. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett orchestrated a swift response, highlighted by a 21-yard completion to wide receiver Jalen Brooks. A subsequent unnecessary roughness penalty against the Rams pushed the ball deep into Los Angeles territory, setting the stage for Ryland’s final heroics.
Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur expressed relief at the outcome while acknowledging the unusual nature of the victory. While he joked that he would prefer not to rely on six field goals in future outings, he praised the team's resilience and Brissett’s accuracy under pressure. The win serves as a major milestone for Arizona, snapping an eight-game losing streak against NFC West opponents. Furthermore, as 13.5-point underdogs, the Cardinals secured what stands as the largest upset of the current NFL season based on the point spread.
This victory marks Arizona's second win at SoFi Stadium this season, following a Week 1 triumph over the Los Angeles Chargers. Ryland’s six-field-goal effort ties for the second-most in a single game in franchise history, trailing only Jim Bakken’s seven-field-goal performance in 1967. The result also highlights a rare statistical feat: it is the fifth time since 2000 that the Cardinals have won a game without scoring a single touchdown, tying them with the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers for the most such victories in that period.
