These two teams have both had some fairly inconsistent starts to the 2016 season. The Rams are 2-1, despite not scoring a touchdown in their first two games. Their journey has included everything from an unexpected shutout by the San Francisco 49ers in week 1, to a 9-3 home win against Seattle, to a 37-32 shootout win over Tampa Bay. These are not the type of results we are accustomed to seeing from this Rams defense. The same goes for Arizona who has lost one at home to a visiting Patriots team with no Tom Brady or Rob Gronkowski, scored 40 on the Bucs the following week, and then lost in Week 3 to a Bills offense devoid of Sammy Watkins and any semblance of a passing game.
What is going on with these two teams?
Of the two, Los Angeles’ defensive struggles seem more understandable considering they are experiencing a lot of 3 and outs with Case Keenum and are, therefore, giving opposing teams more opportunities on offense than they would normally have. Teams are also doubling Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald most plays, which appears to be enough to contain the Rams pass rush. The Cardinals, on the other hand, are being gashed in the running game. They’ve given up 399 rushing yards in these first 3 weeks, which is the 5th most of any team. The 4 teams ahead of them are all non-playoff teams from a year ago: Saints, Bears, Dolphins and Raiders.
Arizona should be able to right the ship this week. They have an opponent that they know extremely well at home. They will stack the box against Todd Gurley and force the Rams to try and beat them through the air via Case Keenum. Patrick Peterson and company should be up to the task at hand. As for the Cardinals offense, Carson Palmer just had a bad game. They have too many playmakers and too much veteran experience to repeat that 4 interception performance. Expect a heavy dose of David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald this week. The Rams have to prove they can stop a balanced offense on the road. Until they do that, they will struggle to win games whether it’s Case Keenum or Jared Goff at QB. The 37 points they put up at home last week was an anomaly. They gained 150 less yards than Tampa and Todd Gurley averaged less than 4.0 yards a carry for the 3rd straight game. Expect the Cardinals to come out hungry this week.
[h=4]How to Watch Rams vs. Cardinals on Sunday[/h]Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: U of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arz.
TV: FOX
Online Streaming: Sunday Ticket, FOX Sports GO
What is going on with these two teams?
Of the two, Los Angeles’ defensive struggles seem more understandable considering they are experiencing a lot of 3 and outs with Case Keenum and are, therefore, giving opposing teams more opportunities on offense than they would normally have. Teams are also doubling Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald most plays, which appears to be enough to contain the Rams pass rush. The Cardinals, on the other hand, are being gashed in the running game. They’ve given up 399 rushing yards in these first 3 weeks, which is the 5th most of any team. The 4 teams ahead of them are all non-playoff teams from a year ago: Saints, Bears, Dolphins and Raiders.
Arizona should be able to right the ship this week. They have an opponent that they know extremely well at home. They will stack the box against Todd Gurley and force the Rams to try and beat them through the air via Case Keenum. Patrick Peterson and company should be up to the task at hand. As for the Cardinals offense, Carson Palmer just had a bad game. They have too many playmakers and too much veteran experience to repeat that 4 interception performance. Expect a heavy dose of David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald this week. The Rams have to prove they can stop a balanced offense on the road. Until they do that, they will struggle to win games whether it’s Case Keenum or Jared Goff at QB. The 37 points they put up at home last week was an anomaly. They gained 150 less yards than Tampa and Todd Gurley averaged less than 4.0 yards a carry for the 3rd straight game. Expect the Cardinals to come out hungry this week.
[h=4]How to Watch Rams vs. Cardinals on Sunday[/h]Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: U of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arz.
TV: FOX
Online Streaming: Sunday Ticket, FOX Sports GO