The St Louis Rams have opened up a narrow 10-9 lead over the Arizona Cardinals in the first half of the all-NFC West clash at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
The Cardinals were on the back foot straight away as Daren Bates fumbled the opening kickoff, handing possession to St Louis at the Arizona 17, leaving Nick Foles to connect with Tavon Austin for the opening touchdown of the game.
Chandler Catanzaro added a field goal for the Cardinals after Carson Palmer was sacked for the first time this season, but the Arizona quarterback struggled to connect with his receivers, leaving the hosts trailing at the end of the first quarter.
The Cardinals closed in on the endzone early in the second quarter, with Michael Floyd moving the ball nearer before David Johnson tried to run in, but the NFC West leaders had to settle for a field goal again.
Needing just a yard for first down, Palmer launched the ball deep looking for John Brown, but Janoris Jenkins got his hands in front of the receiver to get the interception.
The turnover set St Louis up to extend their lead further, with Greg Zuerlein kicking the ball through for a field goal, but Larry Fitzgerald quickly got Arizona back into a promising position down the other end as the half-time interval approached, although once again it was left to Catanzaro to kick the points, leaving the home side just a point behind at the break.
Sian Cowper
