Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams

The NFC WEST leading Rams and the now 3-3 Cardinals meet up for some football in London. Cheerio, Let’s preview this matchup!

Offense

What’s old is new again! AP All day!! Now, I know I am leading this bandwagon and I will be the first to admit I was a little hesitant about his marriage with this team, but only because the foundation, AKA the Cardinals’ Offensive Line, had been so shaky, but color me pink because the O-line was alive; the running game was alive; and so was the passing game! Crazy how having a ground game opens up the passing game. Adrian Peterson, in his first game as a Cardinal, ran for 134 yards on 26 carries along with two touchdowns.The Cardinals had been averaging 51.8 yards rushing a game and ended up surpassing that total on the first drive of the game, running for 54 yards! I’m all about the CP, AP AND LEGEND OG STYLE BABY! They found the fountain of youth in Arizona. Whatever they are drinking. I want some.

The Rams are coming off of a win against the Jaguars but it wasn’t a pretty win. The offense struggled to get anything going. QB Jared Goff attempted only 21 passes, completing 11 of those for 124 yards and a TD. The QB out of Cal was also sacked three times. Maybe this team’s threads are starting to unravel.

Defense

This Arizona train—er, team- is so close to running on all cylinders. Despite the defense holding the Bucs running game to 68 yards the Cardinals needs to play consistent defense throughout the game. This will be important in London because the D line will have to stop the Rams’ star running back, Todd Gurley. And a big SHOUT OUT to safety Antoine Bethea who had his third interception in his third straight game last week! More of that in London, Please.

Now with the Rams, it’s all about their special teams. It was pretty special last week against the Jags. Not one, but two special teams touchdowns on a day when they needed it most. Wide receiver Pharoh Cooper returned the opening kickoff 103 yards for a TD. Then linebacker Cory Littleton blocked a punt that running back Malcolm Brown put away in the end zone. Their special teams play is special and deadly.

My LONDON prediction is that AP is our missing link to get this train back on track and will lead these birds to victory. I’m sorry RamsFangirl, Taylor. I am going 33-27 Cardinals!

[NFL-Cardinals-footer] [NFL-Crucial-Catch]

Photo Credits:

• London bus on Pixabay by Paulohabreuf
• Steam Train on Wikimedia Commons by SIBMorris
• Los Angeles Rams on Wikimedia Commons by SportsLogos.net
• Arizona Cardinals on Wikimedia Commons by Moe Epsilon
• Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Palmer in the Huddle on flickr by FF Swami
• Jared Goff on wikimedia commons by Jeffrey Beall
• Todd Gurley on flickr by Christina VanMeter
• Tower Bridge  on Wikimedia Commons by SuperSwede99