How will the Arizona Cardinals fare in their first game against the division rival Las Angeles Rams? Once again, here are predictions from the team at AZSU!
Joseph Comeau
On paper, it seems the Arizona Cardinals are catching the LA Rams at an opportune time. Matthew Stafford has been throwing interceptions by the bushel. Most of the Rams cornerbacks, aside from Jalen Ramsey, seem to be injured. They are coming off of a game in which they narrowly beat the rebuilding Atlanta Falcons. Their offensive line is struggling without Andrew Whitworth. They are struggling to get consistent production from play-makers not named Cooper Kupp.
But.
These are the defending Super Bowl champion Rams. Coached by Sean McVay, who boasts a ridiculous 10-1 record against the Cardinals. It would be foolish to approach this game with anything more than cautious optimism. With that said, I like the Cardinals chances.
Cardinals win 27-17
Robert Moore
If there was a perfect time for the Cards against the Rams it would be this next game. After how the Cardinals won against the Raiders, their motivation and confidence is through the roof. As for the Rams, they look to be trending down. Their drive just doesn’t seem there.
Here are the facts. Rams are dealing with a lot of injuries. Their O-line hasn’t looked effective in the first two weeks. Their run game has performed below expectations. Stafford could be dealing with issues with his elbow which could be a factor into his 5 INTs in the first two weeks.
The Cardinals are trending up. Health is currently at its best since the season started. The O-line is definitely performing above expectations. The run game has made great strides. Kyler is taking advantage of the open field up the middle with Ertz.
The Cardinals figured something out on both sides of the ball in the second half of the Week 2 game. The main keys to a win in this game include:
- Establishing the run game and utilizing it throughout the game
- TEs Ertz and McBride catching up the middle or assisting on the run game
- D-line pressuring Stafford
- Controlling time of possession
Final Score: 31-21 Cardinals.
Jackie Samaniego
This week is an opportunity for the Cardinals to assert their dominance in the west. The defending Super Bowl champion Rams have not played up to par thus far. Last week they beat the Falcons by a score that was too close for comfort. The Cardinals are getting healthier and the Rams are getting banged up. Last year the Cardinals showed they can beat Sean McVay and the Rams convincingly and they have the opportunity to do it again. The momentum from last week’s thriller is what the team needed to elevate them. If the O-line can allow Kyler to be Kyler and the defense make Stafford uncomfortable, the Cardinals take this one.
Final Score: 27-14 Cardinals
Marcos Labrada
Unfortunately the Cardinals have struggled at home against the Rams. Someday that cycle needs to be broken. I wrote an article about defending the Rams bread and butter play which are the flood concepts. I also mentioned the Cardinals should not blitz Stafford as much and trust their coverage. With Mullen hopefully back in the lineup, this will be the shot in the arm the Cardinals defense needed. I don’t expect anything to change on defense since McVay continues to own Vance. Plus the added distraction of the playoff loss with the reduced snaps for Simmons, doesn’t bode well. If all this is sorted out (which it needs to be) then the defense has a chance to show that the second half of the Raiders game, is the one we are getting.
As for the offense, Kyler has shown he can evade the pressure from Donald. Having Pugh and Hernandez in the lineup is an underrated aspect of the quality of this line. Pugh hasn’t given up a sack to Donald and Hernandez has the strength to stem off bull rushes. It’ll be speed and swim moves that’ll beat the two guards, so it’s important to double Donald at the point of attack and immediately move off to defend any Texas stunts coming their way. That’s the way the Rams take advantage of Donald double teams, it frees up another defender. Hopefully we’ll also see more variation with motion and under center formations. Zach Ertz will be crucial this game, as Cardinals tight ends (Dan Arnold) have been able to go off on the Rams. Let’s hope that continues.
Final score: 24-21 Cardinals.
Andrew Heidemann
This week the Cardinals hope to carry their momentum against a stout Rams team. Fortunately for the Cardinals, the Rams will be without number two receiver Van Jefferson and number two corner Troy Hill. The Rams are also dealing with multiple injuries on the offensive line. They must take advantage of the weak spots on the Rams team. This will be the key to winning the game for the Cardinals. The Cardinals will be getting back some much needed help for this game. They are getting back wide receiver Andy Isabella and making his Cardinals debut will be cornerback Trayvon Mullen. The Cardinals have the pieces to beat Sean McVay and his super bowl winning team but they must play with the same urgency they played with last week to secure the win.
