Arizona Cardinals Flight Plan Against the St. Louis Rams

Offense:

The St. Louis Rams defensive line is very explosive. They can flat out get to the quarterback. Defensive ends Robert Quinn (10.5 sacks) and Chris Long will be tough matchups for tackles Jared Veldheer and Bobby Massie.

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If you’re the Arizona Cardinals, you want to find ways to get rid of the ball quickly, making it easier for quarterback Drew Stanton. Once Arizona forces the Rams to adjust their defensive play-calls to defend the intermediate pass, that can give the green light for some deep shots if the Rams do so.

The Arizona Cardinals must stay with the run, after seeing practice squad signee Kerwynn Wiliams surprise many with his 100 yard performance against the Chiefs. Offensive Guard Jonathan Cooper made a big impact in the running game in his 1st career start. Arians must stay with what is now working, and even out the work load between Williams and Stepfan Taylor.

Starting running back Andre Ellington is officially done for the season and will be on season-ending Injured Reserve. Next man up again for the Cardinals.

Defense:

First and foremost: stop the run. The Rams offense, with rookie running back Tre Mason averaging 4.4 yards per carry, is centered around establishing a running game. Expect AZ to load the box with a safety to make St. Louis one dimensional, but always keeping a look out for quarterback Shaun Hill, who’s always been a competent backup/part-time starter.

Once the Rams benched Austin Davis, it made a big difference to have a veteran with the experience and competent play-making

Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams (33) runs the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

ability. A career QB rating of 86.4, with 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions this year is not too shabby. He’ll manage the game well, like Kansas City’s Alex Smith. The Rams are 2-1 since benching Davis. Expect the Cardinals to test Hill by continuing to blitz, which defensive coordinator Todd Bowles does already. Hill will most likely get ball to his check downs underneath, where AZ has to make open field tackles.

Special Teams:

Kicker Chandler Catanzaro will look to rebound after an up-and-down game against the Chiefs (3 field goals made, 2 field goals missed). Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein made 17 field goals out of 24 attempts with a long try of 56 yards. Both guys have strong legs, which will force plenty of touchbacks on kickoffs. Both teams have explosive return men in Tavon Austin, who’s up and down injury-wise, and Ted Ginn Jr of the Cardinals.

My Take:

The Rams are a very tough team for a last place team. They are very good defensively, and have a strong young running back and young playmakers at receiver like Austin and Stedman Bailey. It will be tough to win on a short week on a Thursday. But seeing how Cooper made a big impact in the running game, and seeing AZ overcome adversity with a win against Kansas City, more momentum will only be building up. It would be huge to pick up a win, with 10 days to prepare for the Seattle Seahawks.

Cardinals 20 Rams 14

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