The Arizona Cardinals face the Los Angeles Rams at home this weekend. It is the first time they have faced each other this season, but the first of two meetings in December.
To find out more about the Rams and their season, Rams Wire managing editor Cameron DaSilva answered some questions for us.
Here is what he had to say.
6-5 isn’t bad, but it is nothing near what expectations were entering the season? Can you pinpoint what has gone wrong for the Rams?
There have been some situations that they couldn’t control – like losing three offensive linemen to multi-week injuries, as well as John Johnson and Aqib Talib to IR – but the Rams have simply underperformed as a whole. Todd Gurley isn’t the player he was a year ago, Jared Goff has regressed and the offensive line has been a mess. The defense had been playing well, but it was a disaster against the Ravens. There’s just been no consistency on either side of the ball and it’s resulted in an up-and-down season, as evidenced by their 6-5 record.
Is it more likely that Todd Gurley or Jared Goff will step up this week against the Cardinals?
I’d say Goff, simply because the Rams rely on him more and he’ll be facing a secondary that isn’t very good. Gurley should be involved, but not nearly as much as Goff. The Rams need Goff to have a strong performance after going three games in a row without a touchdown pass. If he’s ever going to get out of this rut, it’ll have to be this week in Arizona.
What sort of impact has Jalen Ramsey had since he joined the defense?
He’s allowed the Rams to play more man coverage, which has helped a lot. It’s caused Wade Phillips to blitz more often and the improved coverage has given the pass rush more time to get home. His tackling is also a welcomed upgrade over Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, but his coverage ability against No. 1 receivers has been the biggest improvement.
Which matchups will be most favorable for the Rams and which ones will be the biggest struggle for them?
I think the matchup between their receivers and Arizona’s secondary is the most favorable. This is one of the best receiving units in the NFL, showing the ability to get open against any cornerback. It’s another story if Goff can hit them with accurate passes, of course. As for the matchup that’s least favorable, it has to be the one between the Rams’ offensive tackles and Arizona’s pass rushers. Chandler Jones is going to give Rob Havenstein (if he plays) and Andrew Whitworth fits, as will Terrell Suggs.
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