There will be no love lost when Arizona travels to St Louis this week. Certain teams just don’t like each other. Hyperbole is one thing, but reality is another. Truth is the Arizona Cardinals and the St Louis Rams do have beef, and they will once again try to settle said beef in St Louis this Sunday.
Arizona’s head coach Bruce Arians has held no punches when discussing how he feels about the Rams, the only team to have beaten Arizona in Arizona this year. St Louis poses some serious threats to the Cardinals, both in play-off seating and in over all health as the Ram’s defense does literally hurt people, mainly quarterbacks.
This will mark the sixth road game out of the last eight games for the Arizona Cardinals, and somehow Arizona has managed to go 6-1 during this stretch. This team is learning how to win in it’s third year under Arians, and I have to admit, it’s a lot easier when they have Carson Palmer healthy, and closing out games with his amazing drives in the fourth quarters. The Arizona defense also deserves much of the street cred though, the Cardinals defense is ranked 5th over all and is 4th against the run.
-The Nitty Gritty
It appears the Rams have scored big by acquiring Todd Gurley. The St Louis rookie sensation is 5th in NFL yardage, in only 9 games. Gurley has 7 rushes for 20+ yards (3rd in NFL) and is averaging almost 5 yards per clip. In fact, the last time these two teams faced off the rookie ran for 148 yards, so the Arizona defense will have to bring it’s “A” game come Sunday.
The Rams do have some issues on offense right now, the quarterback play has been horrible at times and the offensive line has been struggling during the month of November. This has, in effect, slowed down Todd Gurley’s amazing start. Gurley has only ran for 130 yards total in the last 3 games, but Arizona has to keep the biggest threat in check to be successful in St Louis.
The Rams defense however is still very dangerous. St Louis gets more penetration than those bad movies made in the 70′s, the one’s with the bad mustaches and funky music playing in the back ground.
The Rams are ranked 8th against the pass, and this may be why Coach Arians is starting (OG) Ted Larsen over (OG) Jonathan Cooper. Cooper has held the job for most of the year but may still not be 100% after an injury, and Larsen may give the better pass protection between the two.
Keeping Palmer alive is what Arizona has to do if they want to make the deep play off run. Protection will be key against the Rams, and so will the balance on the offensive play call. The Cardinals lost their first and second string runningbacks last week against the 49ers (Chris Johnson/Andre Ellington).
Arizona has now promoted Kerwynn Williams from the practice squad but the main duties will most likely fall on the rookie David Johnson. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, remember that name, David Johnson.
-Give me the Keys Playa
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I think this will once again be a defensive battle, meaning whom ever wins the time of possession will most likely win this game, unless the turnovers are once again lopsided. Arizona’s defense has to create some turnovers this time, and Carson Palmer has to protect the ball. If this is a low scoring game, time of possession and turnovers will probably decide this game, that is if the referee crew doesn’t (sorry, I just had to).
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Rookie vs rookie, Todd Gurley vs David Johnson, I think one of these backs will have a huge game on Sunday. Gurley has had more playing time in 2015 but David Johnson can also catch the ball, both have the size and the speed. Gurley has only coughed up the rock twice in 164 carries. David Johnson has also fumbled three times this year, between rushing and returns, keeping the ball secure has to be a main focus this week.
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The Cardinal offense has to get off to a quicker start, and for many reasons. This could be a very close game, and it’s on the road. Bad field position stresses out the Arizona defense, and negates the defensive stands that the Cardinals make early in the game. These slow starts that Arizona has become accustomed to could eventualy cost them a game, a game that they don’t have when I look at the Carolina Panthers record and remaining schedule.
-Give me the Key Playas
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Nick Foles balled out with 3 TDs and zero interception last time he faced Arizona. Bruce Arians wants to pressure Nick Foles this week, as Foles is known to turn the ball over when pressured. The Cardinal secondary will have to play a big part in this, as coverage sacks might be the easiest way to get to the St Louis quarterback.
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Arizona’s offensive line has to keep Palmer standing. Mis-communications can be disastrous against teams like St Louis. Penalties like holding and false starts can not only kill the drives, they can also limit the number of deep shots down field that Bruce Arians and Carson Palmer hold so dear. The Cardinals may look to beef up the line at some point with help from the tight ends as well as Larry Fitzgerald, because Rams in the back field is a very bad thing.
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Todd Gurley and David Johnson, as noted previously. Simply put, running the ball effectively can stall a blitzing defense. It can set up the play action, it can chew up clock, and it can keep the defense off the field. I think of 3 famous words when I think about this game, “Run Forrest Run” is what comes to my mind.
-Give me the score
Y’all know by now that I don’t do that. I will say if the Cardinals can score, say 28 points or more… I have them winning this game. If the Cardinals can win the turnover battle… I have them winning this game. If the referees can call a decent game… I will be happier about the outcome of this game.
Graffix by Mike Yduarte
