The Arizona Cardinals close out the 2019 season against the Los Angeles Rams on the road. As we do almost every week, we go to the managing editor of the site of the opposing team to get some insider insight to the matchup.
What is there to know about the Rams in the season finale? Rams Wire managing editor Cameron DaSilva answered a few questions for us.
How deflating was it for the Rams to be officially eliminated from playoff contention?
It was extremely deflating. Sean McVay was as upset and frustrated after the game as he was following the Super Bowl, even saying last week’s loss might’ve been worse than the one they suffered against the Patriots in February. For a team that went all-in this year and had an abundance of talent on both sides of the ball, it was a disappointing ending to the year. They were good enough to make the playoffs, just not consistent enough. They have a lot of questions to answer in the offseason.
What will the secondary look like on Sunday with no Jalen Ramsey?
Assuming Troy Hill doesn’t play either, it’ll likely be Darious Williams, Nickell Robey-Coleman and rookie David Long Jr. starting at cornerback. It’s an inexperienced group besides Robey-Coleman, but the Rams are high on Long and he’s expected to be part of their plans in 2020 and beyond. This should be his first extended action of the season, and I’d expect the Cardinals to test him early on. Williams played well in his first start last week, breaking up one pass and picking off another.
Will there be any younger players getting playing time this weekend who otherwise might not normally in a playoff push?
Long is one of them, as is John Kelly at running back. I’d expect the Rams to give Todd Gurley some time off – not the full game, but they’ll probably reduce his snaps – which will open the door for Kelly to get some playing time. It’s possible the Rams could give David Edwards some playing time at left tackle if Andrew Whitworth isn’t fully healthy, which would, in turn, put Chandler Brewer on the field at one of the offensive line spots, too.
Looking ahead to the offseason, where do the Rams need to make changes?
They need to figure out the offensive line situation. Whitworth is a free agent, as is Austin Blythe. Bobby Evans, Brian Allen, Joseph Noteboom and David Edwards could all be starters next year, but it remains to be seen where they’ll line up. And if those are four of their five starters, that leaves Rob Havenstein as the fifth – if the Rams don’t trade him in the offseason. The secondary looks good right now, but the linebacker position (inside and outside) is questionable with Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. both being free agents.
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