INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — When the Los Angeles Rams host the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night, one team will…
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — When the Los Angeles Rams host the Arizona Cardinals On Saturday night, one team will be headed to a division title, while the other will be having a disappointing non-playoff season.
If you only watched these NFC West rivals’ first meeting in Week 2, you’d be stunned as to which team is which.
The Rams (9-6) have virtually never been eliminated in coach Sean McVay’s eight seasons, which include seven years of winning records and playoff appearances. But that’s exactly what the Cardinals (7-8) did to them in mid-September, rolling to a 41-10 victory this constitutes the second biggest beating of McVay’s career.
“We got our butts kicked, and it happened quickly,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “It was one of those things you don’t really want to experience, but it happens every now and then, where before you blink you’re almost out of it.”
The Cardinals’ 489-yard performance was one of the highlights of coach Jonathan Gannon’s short tenure, and it proved to be one of McVay’s most disappointing results. He had never lost at Glendale before, and his Rams only had a greater margin of defeat in the famous 45-6 hammering delivered by Baltimore in 2019.
And this one was perhaps even more embarrassing than that loss to the Ravens, who benefited from a virtuoso performance from Lamar Jackson in his first MVP season. The current Rams had no answer for Kyler Murray, a quarterback who has been ably handled by several Rams defenses over the years, while the Los Angeles offense did almost nothing against a defense of Arizona which turned out to be nothing special.
“It was a test of who we really were,” Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula said. “You were almost shocked at how bad you were playing, and to go out and do that kind of performance, it was embarrassing, to be honest. To see what kind of guys we are, we challenged them.
The fortunes of both teams have changed dramatically since that Sunday in September. The Rams have won eight of 10 since their bye week, while the Cardinals have lost four of five since their bye to fall out of the playoff race.
Injuries have of course played a major role: the Rams are now much healthier, while the Cardinals have lost several key playmakers.
The Rams don’t absolutely need to beat Arizona at SoFi Stadium to win the NFC West, but they’re obviously eager to maintain their momentum heading into the season finale against Seattle (8-7).
Meanwhile, Murray and the frustrated Cardinals say they don’t care about being spoilers in the rematch of their big win.
“Going into the second week, we didn’t think they were a bad team or anything like that,” Murray said. “I don’t think mentalities are changing. Obviously I think they’re playing better football, but no, I wouldn’t say our mindset watching them from week two versus now is different. We always respect them.
The final stretch
The Cardinals were eliminated from the playoff race after last week’s loss at Carolinaand they have been beaten in the last two weeks. Starting offensive tackles Paris Johnson Jr. and Jonah Williams were placed on injured reserve this week, and key contributors such as running back James Conner and linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. were limited during practice.
Gannon says Conner and Wilson both want to play and there’s always motivation to finish strong.
“Are we doing things the right way? » » asked Gannon. “Are we disciplined enough to stick to our process and make sure it’s good to maximize the opportunities to go out on the field to compete and win a game? »
Keeping Marvin
Cards receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. caught his first two NFL touchdown passes against the Rams, who were without top cornerback Darious Williams due to injury and had yet to activate Ahkello Witherspoon, who has since taken the other starting position. Harrison’s 130-yard performance against Los Angeles remains the fourth overall pick’s most productive day of the rookie season.
“We have to get better,” Murray said of his relationship with Harrison. “It’s not where he wants it to be, it’s not where I want it to be. This is not where this team needs to be. I haven’t lost any confidence.
McBride hits for 100
Arizona’s Trey McBride has emerged as a star tight end with 958 yards on 92 catches — already a franchise record for a tight end, surpassing McBride’s 81 last season. He had a quiet game last week against the Panthers, catching just three passes for 20 yards.
Rams safety Quentin Lake will likely face McBride frequently in the slot.
Murray said: “He has all the intangibles, all the character traits, the athletic ability, he loves the game and plays hard as hell. There is nothing he cannot or cannot do. He is unsuitable. »
Puka power
Puka Nacua didn’t play in Arizona after suffering an injury in Week 1, but the star is definitely back. He has received at least 97 yards receiving in five of his last seven games, scoring four touchdowns and closing in on another 1,000-yard season despite missing five games. Nacua is a formidable challenge for cornerback Starling Thomas.
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AP Sports Writer David Brandt in Phoenix contributed.
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