Chance to end strong
CARDINALS PASS OFFENSE VS. RAMS PASS DEFENSE Assuming Kyler Murray plays, don’t expect to see many changes to the Cardinals’ passing plans. Considering he’s nursing a sore hamstring that forced him out of last week’s win at Seattle, however, be prepared for anything. If Murray isn’t 100 percent, it’s doubtful he’ll take the field and since he was limited in his participation in practice during the week. More than likely, the Cardinals will turn to backup Brett Hundley, who would be getting his first start of the season. If that’s the case, coach Kliff Kingsbury said he will turn Hundley loose and give him the full arsenal of the playbook against the Rams. He might need it. Los Angeles ranks 10th against the pass (220.2) and is tied for the third-most sacks (49) in the league. The Rams have a trio of dangerous pass rushers to deal with in Aaron Donald (12½ sacks), Dante Fowler Jr. (11½) and Clay Matthews (8). The good news for Arizona is that Rams star cornerback Jalen Ramsey won’t play because of a knee injury and Troy Hill, the other starting corner, is dealing with a thumb injury.
Edge: Rams CARDINALS RUN OFFENSE VS. RAMS RUN DEFENSE
This is where the Cardinals have been excelling lately. With Kenyan Drake leading the charge, they’ve managed to rush for more than 200 yards each of the past two weeks and would love nothing better than to close out the season with another huge rushing game. It could happen, as the Rams rank 22nd against the run (115.9). Drake has turned in his best two career games in back-to-back weeks with 137 and four touchdowns against the Browns and 166 yards and two touchdowns against the Seahawks. To have that type of performance on Sunday, he’ll have to negotiate his way through a very volatile defensive front and get to the second level to find running room. Once there, however, he’ll have to be leery of linebacker Cory Littleton (131 tackles) as well as safeties Eric Weddle (101) and Taylor Rapp (93). If Murray were to play, it will be interesting to see how much running he actually does. Hundley’s got some wheels, he’s just a lot slower than his rookie teammate.
Edge: Cardinals RAMS PASS OFFENSE VS. CARDINALS PASS DEFENSE
Don’t be fooled by the Rams’ record. Yes, they aren’t the same blistering offense they’ve been the previous two seasons, but they can still pile it up and pour it on. Just go back to Week 13 when Jared Goff torched the Cardinals for more than 400 yards during a 34-7 rout. Robert Woods caught 13 passes for 172 yards and tight end Tyler Higbee added seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. Goff has a multitude of talented targets, including Cooper Kupp, who leads the team with 87 receptions and nine touchdowns. If the Cardinals ask cornerback Patrick Peterson to shadow him, one-on-one, than it will be up to Byron Murphy, Chris Jones and Budda Baker to find a way to slow down Woods. Keep an eye on outside linebacker Chandler Jones, who leads the league with 19 sacks and is coming off a four-sack, two-forced fumble performance in Seattle. If he goes off for another monster game and the secondary can clamp down on the Rams’ receivers, the Cardinals have a chance on Sunday.
Edge: Rams RAMS RUN OFFENSE VS. CARDINALS RUN DEFENSE
The Cardinals have only allowed two 100-yard rushers since Week 5, but they can’t take Todd Gurley for granted. He might be having a down season with only 789 rushing yards and not a single 100-yard game, but he’s run for 12 touchdowns, including at least one in each of his past five games. Gurley has had a handful of huge efforts in the past against Arizona, which ranks 25th in the league vs. the run (120.6). The defensive line is coming off its best performance of the season and will need the same energy and push this week. Linebackers Jordan Hicks and Joe Walker have to become the last line of defense and not let Gurley get loose in the secondary. One or two big plays by the Rams’ running game could be all it takes to gain control of the game.
Edge: Cardinals SPECIAL TEAMS
Andy Lee and the Cardinals’ punt team have to be aware of Littleton, whose four blocked punts since the start of the 2017 season are the most by any player in the league during that span. Rams punter Johnny Hekker has led the league in net average three times during his career. His 47.9 gross average is presently second-best in the NFL. LA kicker Greg Zuerlein is having a down year, having missed eight of his 31 field goal attempts. The Cardinals’ Zane Gonzalez had his streak of 20 consecutive field goals made snapped last week because of a blocked kick.
Edge: Rams OVERALL
It depends how badly the Cardinals want it. If they come out flat and disinterested like they did the last time they played the Rams, they’ll get run out of the Coliseum. If they play with fire and a real edge, they can end the season on a positive note with a third straight win and double their victory total from last year. It won’t be easy if Murray doesn’t play. It wouldn’t be easy even if he did. Something tells me the Cardinals are going to bring it and surprise everyone.
Prediction: Cardinals 27, Rams 23