How can the Rams avoid getting swept by the Cardinals
The Los Angeles Rams will be looking to avenge their loss from earlier in the season this week against the Arizona Cardinals. Back in Week 2, the Rams fell to the Cardinals 41-10 in one of the biggest losses of the Sean McVay era. The Rams have gotten healthier while winning eight of their last ten games. Here’s how the Rams can avoid getting swept by the Cardinals for the first time since 2016.
1. Play disciplined on the edges and contain Kyler Murray
When it comes to playing against Kyler Murray the Cardinals offense, it’s important for the Rams defense to keep him in the pocket. That’s not to say that Murray can’t win from the pocket. However, the big plays tend to come with Murray scrambling and extending the play. That’s what happened earlier in the season back in Week 2 and the Rams need to avoid that happening again.
This is really going to test the discipline and growth of Jared Verse. Verse’s worst game of the season arguably came against the Cardinals. He missed four tackles in that game and Murray got the best of him. We’ll see how much Verse has grown and if Murray catches him by surprise once again.
2. Continue with physical brand of football on offense
Over the past couple of weeks, the Rams have played a physical brand of football that tends to win in December and January. Running back Kyren Williams has run the ball 20 or more times in each of the last three games. They’ll need to lean on Williams and their physical brand of football to beat the Cardinals.
Since Week 13, the Cardinals rank 26th in run defense EPA and run defense success rate. Chuba Hubbard had 25 carries for 152 yards with two touchdowns last week. Two weeks prior, Zach Charbonnet had 22 carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns as the Seahawks beat the Cardinals. The Rams are going to need a sharp version of Matthew Stafford down the stretch. However, if they can continue to lean into the physical style of football that they are playing and having success with, they’ll continue to be a tough team to beat.
3. Tackle in the run game
This is similar to the first point, but the Rams struggled to tackle James Conner back in Week 2. In fact, Conner had six missed tackles forced and 4.14 yards after contact. The Rams have been better on that side of the ball as of late. With that said, Conner could also miss Saturday’s game with a knee injury as he is listed as questionable.
A big change in the Rams run defense since early in the season was the change in personnel at the linebacker position. Since Omar Speights took over for Troy Reeder in Week 7, the Rams run defense ranks fifth in run defense success rate. They’ll be tested against one of the more efficient rushing offenses in the NFL.
4. Play good, situational football
When it comes to winning this time of year, it becomes more important to play good, situational football. That will be the case over the next two weeks as the Rams potentially play two must-win games. To put it simply, the Rams have to win on third down and they have to win in the red zone. Back in Week 2, the Cardinals went 7-for-11 which included a conversion on 3rd-and-14. They also went 3-for-4 in the red zone.
This season, the Cardinals are tied for 31st in third-down defense as they allow a conversion at a 44.4 percent rate. The Rams will need to win on third down and protect Matthew Stafford in obvious passing situations.
5. Avoid giving up the big play
Back in Week 2, the Cardinals had touchdowns of 23, 60, and 18 yards. Two of those would be considered explosives. The Rams defense has been better defending deep balls in recent weeks. Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. have struggled to be on the same page. Harrison Jr. had 130 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams earlier in the season. The Rams have made some adjustments at the cornerback position, notably cutting Tre White.
The Cardinals are one of the more explosive offenses in the NFL and will almost certainly test the Rams secondary. Unlike the last two weeks, the Rams won’t have the weather working in their favor. The secondary will need to continue to be active on the ball and play disciplined down the field.