[69RamFan]

The Key to this game will be keeping Murray in the pocket,

We've done that his past four games and I don't see the RAMs D changing that strategy.

The Cards have not played anyone that has a complete team in all three phases of the game.

I just have this feeling the RAMs will blowout the Cards.

RAMs 38

VS

Cards 17

[AvengerRam]

Looking at last year's games, the Rams really held the Cardinals in check. They allowed 214 and 232 offensive yards in the two games. I'm hoping that this denotes a matchup/system advantage that is still there.

[PARAM]

Arizona is 3-0. No need to take them lightly. No need for this to be a trap game. My only concern about the game this week is we don't have Troy Hill anymore!! Maybe DLong steps in and delivers?

Here's the Rams/Cardinals in the Kyler Murray era.

2019 Dec. 1: Rams 34- Cardinals 7 (Murray 19 of 34 for 163, 0 TD 1 Int, 6 sacks; 4 runs for 28 yds) Taylor Rapp with a 31 yard pick 6
2019 Dec. 29: Rams 31 - Cardinals 24 (Murray 26 of 42 for 325 yds, 2 TD, 2 Int, 1 sack; 2 runs for 0 yds)
2020 Dec. 6: Rams 38 - Cardinals 28 (Murray 21 of 39 for 173 yds, 3 TD, 1 Int, 2 sacks; 5 runs for 15 yds) Troy Hill with a 35 yard pick 6
2020 Jan. 3: Rams 18 - Cardinals 7 (Murray 8 of 11 for 87 yds, 0 TD, 0 Int, 1 sack; 2 runs for 3 yards) Troy Hill with a 84 yard pick 6 (against Streveler), A'Shawn Robinson with a 4th quarter blocked FG

Murray was a rookie in 2019 and in the last matchup, injured. He played the first drive of the game and then two 4th quarter drives before Steveler was re-inserted for the final possession. The tale of the tape with the injured Murray....3 possessions, 25 plays, 95 yards, 0 points (thanks to A'Shawn's blocked FG). If you look at the 2nd game in 2019 and the first game in 2020, a healthy Murray and the Cardinals put up 26 PPG.

This will be the first time Murray has faced the Rams in any month other than December. Will these Rams lose their focus in week 4? Is this that game? Vs. a 3-0 division foe? I'm not buying it. Arizona has been playing good, despite beating the Vikings on a missed field goal and trailing the Jaguars with 0:25 left in the 3rd quarter. BTW, that game turned on a 29 yard pick 6 by Byron Murphy. The Rams shouldn't have any distractions. I'm sure the vets on the squad are telling the rest of the team, being 'ranked' #1 by ESPN or Colin Cowherd or whomever, doesn't mean shit. There's a mission to play the Superbowl in SOFI and teams on a mission don't fall for trap games. Murray is a legit competitor. Gotta do the job on the field.

[Hacksaw]

Every season is different. This years Rams are improved overall (D still a bit of a ?). Stafford makes a huge difference. SoFi will make a huge difference. If the Rams prevail, they will be a clear cut #1 favorite in the rankings.

The Cards have improved as well. JJ Watt DE. C Rodney Hudson. A.J. Green WR. Malcolm Butler CB (lost Peterson). Matt Prater K replacing the iffy Zane Gonzales. They are obviously playing better.
So far they've beaten the Titans in game 1 handily (game 1 with little or no preseason deserves an asterisk), the Vikings in a 1 point squeaker and the 0-3 Jags in a rout. This wont be a cakewalk.
I hope R.Morris has a solid plan to contain Murray. (I wonder if Wolford was used to simulate Murray during this weeks practice?) If the Cards somehow prevail, they go to #1.

So this is the first of 2 divisional game over the span of 5 days. I too hope we don't underestimate the Cards looking ahead to Seattle.

Go Rams

[Hacksaw]

QFTOS: CARDINALS @ RAMS, PRE-GAME EDITION;

We could get exposed really bad.
All the little mistakes that we make every week we will not be able to overcome those vs the Rams.
Hopefully this team can take a punch in nose and respond.
After watching what the Rams did to the Bucs it's going to be a tall order.

McVay can't keep dominating us forever can he?

all streaks end.......
the Jags 17 game losing streak made me nervous going into the week.

the Cardinals plays at their best, giving the Rams some trouble , even if maybe [it] wont be enough

I'm guessing we get rolled this weekend and then break the streak next time.

I like the fact that there is the streak and no one gives us much of a chance. If the NFL proves anything each week, what you think is a sure thing isn't.
If I could make the game how I wanted it, I would have us down 10 at halftime and come back to win it. End McVay's streak against the Cards + end his unbeaten leading at halftime streak.

For the love of the football gods can K1 go this game without throwing int

games like these is why Keim got JJ Watt. Can he make Stafford feel his presence?

With OL injuries and sub par RBs it wont happen IMO

We know we can play with these guys.
We know we can beat Matt Stafford
We are obviously better this year over last.... in nearly every facet.
Crap I’m sorry fellas....
Redbirds 38
Lambs 33

“Sean McVay has never lost to the Cardinals in four years as the Rams’ head coach, winning eight straight against Arizona. Los Angeles has outscored the Cardinals 251-91 in that span, an average margin of victory of 31-11.”
good lord that is beyond ugly… so glad I’ll be on the Beach in the FL. keys during this contest…. Lol

251-91 over 8 games. Oy gevault!

They didn't have Stafford though they had a backup Qb. Their defense is close to as good as last year their offense is better despite the RB injuries.

How about we just meet them in the middle of the ring and punch them in the mouth, and then see how the bully adjusts?

It's not going to be easy, but if KM plays like the 2nd half against the Jags...takes what the defense gives him and doesn't get greedy...they can matriculate the ball down the field, win TOP, score and possibly win the game, or at least not get the doors blow off.

I'd give the Rams 3 points due to their (let's be honest) superior defense. I'd also give them another 2 points for the home field advantage. Then there's the Head Coach comparison.

Football Outsiders says that special teams could be a source of advantage for the Cards; they are ranked #5 overall, the Rams are ranked #29

Rams are primed for a letdown after that Bucs game and everybody telling them how great they are. That’s the recipe for an upset and it’s not like the Cards are a slouch.

Football Outsiders says that the Cardinals are the #1 team in the entire league by DVOA (not adjusted for opponent) and virtually even with the Rams at #4/#3 with opponent adjustments.

If we go by stats, and dvoa and next gen and all that then we win by 472 points...then there's reality.....lol

The Rams have not only beaten us like a drum, but they have bullied us. Watts was partially brought in to bring a temperament to this team, especially in the trenches. The Rams see us a soft team that they have just been able to beat up like a much younger brother. Even if we don’t win the game, we need to make sure we don’t continue to bring knives to a gun fight. It’s time we responded to these bullies.

Ok it is Watt's breakout game time, our division is why we needed him.

This is either going to be a great game or put some reality into our standing.

Do the Rams even consider Cardinals as their rivals or do they see Cardinals as Cardinals see Jaguars?

Imo there can not be a beatdown. Sure I want to win. I think we can win. However, a beatdown would probably hurt the morale going into the 49ers and Browns games.

Cards have had defensive player of the week 2 of the 3 weeks.

Only a few Twitter grabs I know but some pretty reverential comments from Kliff and co about the Rams.
There's a line between respecting your opponent and being intimidated by them. Are we on the right side of it?

At some point you’ve got to stop the bully from bullying you. I feel we finally have a shot (not a great shot, but a shot).

[Elvis]

[RedAlice]

Thanks for the quotes as always Hacksaw!

Its kind of weird reading the comments about the Rams being bullies. Hasn’t felt like that, but I didn’t realize we are 8-0 on them.

The Cards fans I know hate Stafford from the Lions games.

[Hacksaw]

Thanks for the quotes as always Hacksaw!

Its kind of weird reading the comments about the Rams being bullies. Hasn’t felt like that, but I didn’t realize we are 8-0 on them.

The Cards fans I know hate Stafford from the Lions games.

It's sure nice to be on the right side of that stat. Remember the SpagsLinneHasslet era? We have come a long way baby!!

[RedAlice]

It's sure nice to be on the right side of that stat. Remember the SpagsLinneHasslet era? We have come a long way baby!!

Yes we have!

[actionjack]

My keys for the Rams to win are as follows:

1. O-line needs to play well, protect Stafford and open holes for RB's
2. Contain Kyler as much as possible, no big bombs in the passing game
3. Get a couple turnovers, finish +1 or better on turnover ratio.