Head coach Mike LaFleur expressed strong belief in his team, noting that with 51 seconds remaining he felt a victory was possible. “Chad’s a stud,” LaFleur said, praising the rookie kicker’s sideline presence and performance. After a four-game skid, the relief was evident, and he added, “Thank God he did score.”
On the final drive, a touchback placed the ball at the 35-yard line, giving the Cardinals a favorable field position. A 21-yard completion and a roughing-the-passer penalty moved Arizona into field-goal range, where Ryland delivered from the hash mark he favors. “That’s being a good situationally aware football player and football team,” Ryland said, highlighting how the offense executed the drive and sealed the win.
Ryland joined the NFL as a fourth-round pick for the New England Patriots but faced a challenging debut season and eventually joined Arizona to back up Matt Prater. Since moving onto the active roster in 2024 due to injuries, he has been steady, now 67-for-81 on field goals for the Cardinals, including this pivotal game-winner.
With the victory, Arizona improved to 2-4 on the season and earned the tiebreaker over the Rams, moving into third place in the NFC West. Questions remain about the team’s standing within the division, but there are upcoming opportunities to address them. Next, the Cardinals host the Denver Broncos, a strong opponent from the AFC West, where they will likely face a tough matchup. Additionally, quarterback questions persist as the team evaluates options beyond Jacoby Brissett and considers future appearances for Carson Beck.
