A late 48-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein has helped the St Louis Rams finally break their opening-day jinx with a 27-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL.
New Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer made a confident start to a topsy-turvy clash, finding Larry Fitzgerald in the endzone for a touchdown early in the second quarter.
Jay Feely's boot helped the Cards build a 10-3 lead but that slender advantage evaporated with 26 seconds left in the first half, with Jared Cook scoring in a late drive for the Rams.
Fitzgerald was on target again for the Cards in a dominant third quarter, with his touchdown following a two-yard interception from Dan Williams to put the visitors 24-13 ahead.
Back came the Rams early in the fourth quarter, with Cook finishing an 80-yard drive that Sam Bradford turned into a two-point conversion to give the hosts hope.
Zuerlein then made a 38-yard field goal to tie the game at 24-24 with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, as both sides were struggling to force a late breakthrough.
The Cards failed to make a pair of late possessions count soon after and were punished by Zuerelein, who was given a late chance to snatch victory by a strong Rams drive.
With three field goals to his name Greg 'The Leg' lined up a strike from 48 yards with 40 seconds on the clock and made no mistake to help St Louis win their opening game for the first time in six years.
Liam Power
