LA Rams game day primer: Showdown in the desert

The LA Rams (7-4) travel to face the Arizona Cardinals (6-5) in a game that will dictate how the NFC West shakes out

The LA Rams are heading for the home stretch, and any chance to find and gain momentum is critical at this time of year. So it is that the LA Rams will travel to Glendale Arizona to face a promising Arizona Cardinals team. While the LA Rams enjoyed success against the Cardinals in 2019, Arizona has surprised both the San Francisco 49er and Seattle Seahawks early before losing to the Seahawks in their rematch.  Now, Arizona is in a position to improve their NFL Playoff seeding, and in the process hurt the Rams seeding.

The Rams are also looking for a chance to improve their own position. A win balances the Rams division record to 2-2 and will improve their record to 8-4. It also pits the Rams and Seattle Seahawks into a two-team race for the NFC West title.  That will amplify the rematch in Seattle when the Rams travel to face the Seahawks in their rematch.

A lot on the line

Let’s be clear, whichever team wins this game is the challenger to the Seahawks. The loser, thanks to their record, division standing, and tiebreakers, will be all but out of the race for the NFC West title. If it’s the Arizona Cardinals, they will fall to 6-6- and will be in a dogfight to fend off the San Francisco 49ers. If the Rams lose, they will fall to 7-5 with four games remaining and will be at risk of losing a playoff berth if they lose twice more.

The Sunday afternoon weather for Glendale Arizona is currently forecast to be a bright and sunny afternoon, with a high temperature in the low 70s. Adding to the pristine game conditions, the wind will be very light, with gusts from the east-northeast of 3 mph.  The bright sunshine and lack of wind will be pretty much the story throughout the game.