The Arizona Cardinals aren’t in playoff contention anymore, although they are not technically eliminated from the playoff race. Despite this, the overall mood of the locker room feels optimistic. The surrounding view of the team is far different than it was at this time last year. While a victory Sunday can’t propel them into the postseason, they can play spoiler to a dreaded division rival.
Recent history hasn’t been kind to fans in the desert when facing the Rams. Los Angeles has dominated the Arizona Cardinals the past two years, outscoring them 130-25. That number includes two shutouts. For four games, Arizona had zero answers for the Sean McVay-Wade Phillips coaching combination.
This 2019 Cardinals team looks to be a lot different than the ones the Rams have played recently. Their record shows that of a ball club featuring a rookie head coach and quarterback, but the box scores show a team that has gone toe-to-toe with some of the league’s best.
This year’s Rams have had a fall from grace after nearly defeating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. They’re 6-5 and have sputtered out of control following a strong start to the season. Jared Goff has only eleven touchdown passes compared to twelve interceptions. They’ll be coming into Glendale on a short week following a 6-45 massacre at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.
The Cardinals very nearly beat that same Ravens team in week two of the season, falling 17-23 after a beautiful pass from Lamar Jackson to Hollywood Brown on 3rd down and 13. That game looks more and more impressive for the Cards as the season moves along, as the Ravens are looking like the AFC favorite for the Super Bowl.
The Cardinals are refreshed after their bye week. In fact, it’s possible all 53 players on the active roster will be healthy this Sunday. Can they start the end of the season strong, or will they come out rusty and unprepared?
Continue on for our game preview of the Rams.
The Rams on Offense:
Quarterback Jared Goff has been the subject of criticism for the majority of the Rams’ season, as he has not played up to the massive contract extension he was given in August. He has struggled mightily with turnovers and hasn’t looked like the player he was last year. In fact, the Los Angeles Rams haven’t had a passing touchdown in three games.
Todd Gurley has still been an effective weapon for the Rams, but he also hasn’t been himself. The former Offensive Player of the Year has seen a decrease in carries following knee injuries late in the 2018 campaign. Still, Gurley has totaled 547 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Stopping the run is essential to the success of Vance Joseph’s defense this Sunday. The Cardinals have done a solid job of limiting opposing running backs this year, but the pass defense is a whole different story.
Tight end Gerald Everett won’t play for the Rams this Sunday, but the Cardinals defense hasn’t shown much ability to guard anyone at that position. Also missing Sunday’s game is tackle Rob Havenstein. The Cardinals could shuffle their edge attack to match up Chandler Jones on Rams backup tackle Bobby Evans.
The Rams still boast a very talented wide receiver trio of Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp, and Robert Woods. It will pose a great challenge for Vance Joseph’s defense that has to step up in the remaining five games. The Cardinals will need to generate consistent pressure on Jared Goff, or else these receivers will work their way open.
The Rams on Defense:
The Rams defense is middle-of-the-pack in most defensive statistics. That includes points scored (15th), passing yards (13th), and total yards (16th). The unit can’t be overlooked, even after Lamar Jackson passed for five touchdowns on them last Monday. Wade Phillips is one of the best in the business at defensive coordinator and L.A. has two of the best at their positions. Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray will have troubles dealing with All-Pros Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.
The Rams defense has been dominant against the Cardinals under Phillips; the QBs they faced were Drew Stanton(following Carson Palmer’s early injury), Blaine Gabbert, Sam Bradford, and Josh Rosen. Kyler Murray will present Phillips with the challenge of a duel-threat quarterback, which hasn’t gone well for the Rams this year. L.A. has allowed huge outings from Seattle’s Russell Wilson and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson.
A Test for Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph:
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has been under fire by the media all season. It hit its peak following their second loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The 9ers seemed to be playing for overtime when Vance Joseph called an all-out-blitz that left the NFL’s sack leader Chandler Jones in coverage on a receiving back. The result was a game-winning touchdown for the 49ers.
The remaining five games will be telling for Joseph’s future with the Cardinals. The pass defense has been abysmal for the majority of the year, with an emphasis on an inability to cover opposing tight ends. This was illustrated when 49ers TE Ross Dwelley scored two touchdowns in which he was left wide open. George Kittle’s absence in the Cardinals’ last game didn’t seem to make much of a difference.
If the defense sees improvement across these last few games, the Cardinals will likely keep Joseph as their coordinator in 2020. He’s had two weeks to make adjustments and improvements. If the same problems reoccur, however, the Cardinals may find themselves moving on from a coordinator for the second year in a row.
There is certainly some talent for Joseph to work with. Budda Baker has Pro-Bowl votes flying in. Chandler Jones is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Jordan Hicks has been fantastic and is looking like a Pro-Bowl lock. Rodney Gunter and Corey Peters are both rock-solid players for the Cardinals. However, many of the other starters are definite question marks.
Vance Joseph has had the chance to make adjustments. If the defense doesn’t show improvement against a struggling Rams offense, there will certainly be question marks about his future with the team.
Final Thoughts:
Kyler Murray is officially listed as questionable for the Cardinals, but all signs point to him playing. The Cardinals let practice squad quarterback Kyle Sloter go to the Detroit Lions, which they likely wouldn’t have done had Murray’s status been in question.
A win against the Rams would be great for the Cards in that they’ve lost the last four meetings between the two. Finishing strong in these final five games would help the team’s confidence going into 2020 and beyond, and would also attract free agents come March.
Here’s to sending the 2018 NFC Champion Rams out of the playoff race. See you all next week.
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