Short-handed Los Angeles Rams win key NFC West matchup against Arizona Cardinals

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey returned to Los Angeles on a private jet after producing a positive COVID-19 test, while tight end Tyler Higbee was left to wonder whether he had contracted the coronavirus at all after a series of tests produced differing results.

In the hours leading to kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football, the Rams were scrambling to make roster moves after Ramsey and Higbee joined three other teammates on the reserve/COVID-19 list, making them unavailable to play.

“My initial reaction was, ‘You got to be s—-ing me,'” Rams coach Sean McVay said about the situation. “You don’t replace those kind of guys.”

McVay was correct. His key play makers are irreplaceable. But none of that proved to matter by the game’s end.

Down four starters on reserve/COVID-19, and after having lost three of their previous four games, the Rams defeated the division-leading Cardinals 30-23 and now sit only a game behind them in the NFC West after splitting the season series.

The Rams improved to 9-4, while the Cardinals fell to 10-3.

“We’re playing good,” said defensive lineman Aaron Donald, who had three sacks and a tipped pass. “We ain’t arrived. We still got to do things to get us in a great position that we want to be in.”

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns as the 13th-year pro ended a three-game losing streak on Monday Night Football.

“I felt good about it,” Stafford said about his performance. “There were some things that you obviously want back… but I felt like we managed the game really well.”

Cooper Kupp caught 13 passes for a game-high 123 yards and a touchdown and leads all receivers in receptions, yards and touchdowns — an accomplishment achieved by only three players since the merger…