Coach Kliff Kingsbury had three solid running back options at his disposal on Sunday, but no matter which choice he made, the Cardinals couldn't find room to run against the Rams.
After a week of speculation, Kenyan Drake was indeed the main ballcarrier, but he finished with only 31 rushing yards on 13 attempts, a 2.4 yards per carry average. David Johnson had four carries for 15 yards, while Chase Edmonds did not play on offense in his return from a hamstring injury.
The Cardinals finished the game with 21 carries for 74 yards in the 34-7 loss, and it was quarterback Kyler Murray who propped up the numbers with four carries for 28 yards and a touchdown.
"Offensively, we never got in a rhythm," Kingsbury said. "We couldn't get anything going. Never sustained drives. A bunch of negative plays. Sacks and some third-and-forever situations. We just never had a flow where we could get all of those personnel groups in the game (to run effectively)."
Drake was targeted five times in the passing game but only hauled in two of the passes for 20 yards and had a drop. Johnson had two catches for 20 yards.
Johnson, who didn't have a touch last time out against the 49ers, had an early two-yard rush but didn't get another touch and rarely played until the game was out of hand.
Kingsbury said the pecking order of Drake, then Johnson, then Edmonds is not etched in stone. The group will be evaluated on a weekly basis and is subject to change. However it shakes out, the Cardinals will need to get more production from the position to avoid lopsided losses moving forward.
"We know we have three talented guys and we have to do a better job of putting them in position to be successful," Kingsbury said.
WALKER TAKES OVER FULL-TIME AT INSIDE LINEBACKER
Joe Walker began rotating with Haason Reddick at inside linebacker a few weeks ago and took over full-time in the second half against Los Angeles. Reddick, the team's first-round pick in 2017, was beaten for a touchdown in the second quarter and didn't record a tackle in the game.
Walker finished the game with four tackles, including one for loss.
"We wanted to reward Joe," Kingsbury said. "We felt like he's played better, understanding our system, and the last few weeks he's made big strides."
BULLARD INJURES HAMSTRING
Defensive end Jonathan Bullard injured his hamstring in the first half and didn't return. He was originally listed as questionable to play in the game with a foot injury that kept him out of the Week 11 loss to the 49ers.
Bullard had three tackles and a half-sack before departing.
Images from the Week 13 matchup at State Farm Stadium
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is tackled by Rams safety Taylor Rapp (24) during the first half.
Rams wide receiver JoJo Natson is hit by Cardinals wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (12) on a punt return during the second half.
Cardinals defensive back Tramaine Brock (20) tackles Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals fans play football prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Rams running back Todd Gurley runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Rams tight end Tyler Higbee pulls in a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
OLB Cassius Marsh celebrates his half-sack.
Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) greets fans prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Rams head coach Sean McVay, right, greets Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (56) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is sacked by Rams defensive end Dante Fowler.
Rams quarterback Jared Goff throws against the Cardinals.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws against the Rams.
An Arizona Cardinals fan cheers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Rams defensive end Dante Fowler sacks Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during the first half.
Rams safety Taylor Rapp hits Cardinals tight end Charles Clay during the first half.
Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes against the Arizona Cardinals.
Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake and Rams safety Taylor Rapp battle for the ball.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray scrambles against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half.
Rams running back Todd Gurley is tackled by Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) and safety Budda Baker (32).
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk makes a catch as Rams defensive back David Long defends.
Rams quarterback Jared Goff throws against the Cardinals defense.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is pressured by Rams linebacker Clay Matthews.
Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones battles Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth.
Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp pulls in a catch as Cardinals safety Budda Baker defends.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray sits on the turf after a sack during the first half.
An Air Force drill team performs at half time of an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray runs for a touchdown as Rams linebacker Samson Ebukam looks on during the second half.
Rams quarterback Jared Goff throws against presser from Cardinals DL Corey Peters.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald makes a catch as Rams linebacker Travin Howard pursues during the second half.
Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake runs against the Rams during the first half.
Rams running back Todd Gurley eludes the reach of Cardinals safety Deionte Thompson (35).
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury watches play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is tackled by Rams linebacker Samson Ebukam.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (56) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray sits on the turf after being sacked against the Los Angeles Rams.
Rams safety Taylor Rapp (24) runs back an interception for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray runs into the end zone for a touchdown late in the game against the Rams.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is sacked by Rams defensive end Michael Brockers.
Rams quarterback Blake Bortles scrambles against the Cardinals.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled during the second half.
Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (right) greets Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald after the game. The Rams won 34-7.
Rams head coach Sean McVay (left) greets Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury after the game. The Rams won 34-7.
Rams running back Todd Gurley (left) greets Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald after the game. The Rams won 34-7.
