The Los Angeles Rams moved to within a game of the NFC West title with a 13-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Kyren Williams ran in from a yard out in the second quarter for the Rams' lone touchdown, Joshua Karty added two field goals before Ahkello Witherspoon made a diving catch in the end zone with 37 seconds left to seal the win.
The win moves the Rams to 10-6, one game ahead of the division-leading Seattle Seahawks ahead of their final round matchup next week.
Only a loss and a string of other results going against them could cost the Rams the title in a tiebreaker that comes down to relative strength of schedule.
“We weren't very great, to be honest,” said Matthew Stafford, who passed for 189 yards in the Rams' ninth win in 11 games. “I didn't do great. I didn't throw well. But I found a way to win and get enough points.”
The Rams host Seattle (9-7) in their regular-season finale next weekend, but could win coach Sean McVay's fourth league title before then.
If the Bills, Browns, Vikings, Commanders and 49ers combine for three wins — or two wins and a tie — over the next two days, Los Angeles will be the NFC West champion based on their strength of schedule, regardless of what happens against Seattle.
Kyler Murray passed for 321 yards and threw two late interceptions for Arizona (7-9), which managed just three points on three drives into Rams territory in the fourth quarter.
Arizona drove the Los Angeles five in the final minute, but the Rams pulled off an all-out blitz on their first possession.
Murray's rushing pass bounced off tight end Trey McBride's helmet, and Witherspoon made a 10-finger interception in the end zone, confirmed by video review, even though the ball touched the ground while in between his hands.
“Honestly, you never know how the NFL works,” Witherspoon said. “I thought I stuck it. You could tell by my celebration. But once I saw that replay, whenever that ball hits the ground, you never know.”
“We didn't bounce the ball,” Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon said. “I got the ball at the end, thought we were going to win, and they played a good game. It hurts because we're there, but we're not there. When we play our brand of ball, we can compete and beat everybody, but it doesn't mean much.”
what's next
Rams: Host Seattle in regular-season finale, winning three straight and 11 of last 15 against opponents in Sunday, January 5live on Sky Sports NFL. Cardinals: Finish at home against the 49ers, also live Sky Sports NFL.
Bengals win thriller
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Highlights from the Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals Week 17 NFL clash
Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes to Tee Higgins, including the game-winner with 1:07 left in overtime, to give the hosts Cincinnati Bengals electric 30-24 victory over the Denver Broncos.
Earlier touchdown passes to Higgins had put the Bengals ahead twice in regulation, with Bo Nix finding Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. – from 51 yards – to tie the score each time.
Burrow ran for another score in the final two minutes, only for Nix to answer again as he found Mims from 25 yards out with just eight seconds left.
Cade York hit the post with a field goal for the Bengals in overtime, but with the Broncos needing only to hang on to clinch a playoff berth, Burrow connected twice with Higgins on one final drive to grab the win.
what's next
The Broncos need a win over the Kansas City Chiefs, who have already clinched the top seed in the AFC, to secure their first playoff appearance in nine years Sunday, January 5live on Sky Sports NFL.
The Bengals must beat AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers and hope other results go their way, also live Sky Sports NFL.