- CARDINALS vs RAMS
- 1:05 p.m. Sunday
- State Farm Stadium
- Line: Cardinals -1.5 (For more NFL odds, visit the BetMGM online sportsbook)
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Ram Tough Run D
Hashtag #CramItVertical works both ways -- run the ball and stop the run. Last year, both division matchups went south when second team All-Pro RB Kyren Williams got north for a combined 301 yds rushing (8.4 ypc). The Big Red Run D needs to bottleneck Williams like the 405 during rush hour (actually, any hour in SoCal). As Budda Baker said this week, "That's the No. 1 thing, ultimately, to stop the run." Last week, the AZ D held James Cook to less than four yards per carry. The difference this week – L.A. doesn't have a battering Ram at QB like Josh Allen.
-- Paul Calvisi
Pocketing The Pass Rush
The Cardinals defense faced a Pro Bowl quarterback in Josh Allen in Week 1, and they'll compete against another in Matthew Stafford in Week Two. The biggest difference between the pair of quarterbacks is their pocket presence. Allen likes to run. Stafford has made a living at being more of a pocket passer.
"It doesn't phase him if you hit him," defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said. "He's going to keep sitting in there and slinging the ball."
Defensive lineman Justin Jones said it provides more freedom to get home when you don't anticipate Stafford to use his legs as much.
"If you play Josh Allen and you got nobody in the middle, he's running through the A gap," Jones said. "You got a guy like Matthew Stafford, even though it's there, he might not take it. He might still want to stand there and pass the ball. It changes the way you rush substantially."
-- Zach Gershman
Marvin Harrison Jr. Debut, Take 2
So, we can all agree three targets is not enough for your No. 1 wide receiver. The Cardinals didn't invest a top-five draft pick in Marvin Harrison Jr. for him not to be involved in the offense. "Certainly, he is on the forefront of our minds in terms of getting him the ball," offensive coordinator Drew Petzing acknowledged. At the same time, it's not just Harrison. It's the entire wide receiver room. Yes, Greg Dortch led the team in receptions (6) and receiving yards (47) last week, but Harrison and Michael Wilson, the Cardinals' top two wide receivers, combined to catch just two passes for nine yards on five targets. More production is needed from both.
-- Craig Grialou
