The Los Angeles Rams' season of promise has gone from bad to worse as the Arizona Cardinals pulled off an almighty upset to claim an 18-16 victory.
Los Angeles entered their NFL campaign as Super Bowl favourites after adding a number of big names to their already star-studded team, which includes reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Their season got off to a terrible start when they endured a 27-7 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, and they are yet to find top gear.
On Sunday (Monday AEDT) at SoFi Stadium, the Rams (2-4) suffered their fourth defeat when Arizona's Chad Ryland kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired to help the lowly Cardinals claim one of the upsets of the season.
Los Angeles were in the box seat when tight end Colby Parkinson caught a touchdown pass from Stafford with 47 seconds to play, and they kicked their extra point, but Arizona immediately moved 36 yards into field-goal range.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett passed for 218 yards to balance a sparkling defensive game by the Cardinals (2-4), while Stafford threw for 222 yards and two scores.
To make matters worse, the Rams will sweat on star wide receiver Davante Adams, who hobbled to the sideline late in the fourth quarter.
"There were some gutsy individual efforts that I am appreciative of, but collectively, even if we had come away with the result, it’s not good enough,” coach Sean McVay said.
"We won’t win a game unless we figure out how not to beat ourselves."
The Atlanta Falcons (2-4) will also hope linebacker Kendal Daniels recovers quickly after he was hospitalised following a collision with the Chicago Bears' Colston Loveland's knee and remained motionless for several minutes in their 31-23 loss.
Elsewhere, the Cleveland Browns (4-2) snagged a huge victory against their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens (4-2), after kicker Andre Szmyt booted a 37-yard field goal as time expired for a 13-10 victory.
The Lamar Jackson-less Ravens (ankle) thought they had won the game when Szmyt's initial attempt from 42 yards was blocked by corner-back Keyon Martin, but he was flagged for offside.
Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger was prolific, racking up 13 tackles and forcing a fumble as his team held their opponents to zero points in the second half.
The Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) also kept their unbeaten start to the season intact with a 22-6 victory over the winless Los Angeles Chargers (0-6).
It was star quarterback Patrick Mahomes' first game against the Chargers since he tore his ACL in their last outing in December.
The 31-year-old finished with 272 passing yards, while running back Kenneth Walker continued to push his case to be named offensive player of the year, rushing for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
In prime-time, the Green Bay Packers (4-2) extended their 10-year unbeaten streak over the Dallas Cowboys (2-4) in a 23-13 victory.
- With The AP
