Can the LA Rams muster Matthew magic and comeback in this one?

The Arizona Cardinals’ defensive game plan entering Week 4 was obvious. In three previous games, the Card had managed to neutralize the top two receivers of their opponent. For the LA Rams, those top two receivers are Cooper Kupp and DeSean Jackson. Obvious to us, perhaps, but not to the Rams offensive game plan.

So far in this one, the LA Rams have thrown seven times to Cooper Kupp, completing just two for 40 yards. Similarly, the Rams have thrown two times to DeSean Jackson, with no completions and leading to an interception by Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy.

As we stated in our 4 keys to victory article:

"“Now it’s time for the Rams to get Robert Woods and Tyler Higbee more involved in the offense. The Rams have relied on both players in the past to ensure that defenses cannot key on just one player on any given Sunday. In Week 4, the Cardinals would be foolish indeed if they did not direct their best coverage defensive back to defend Cooper Kupp, and try to cover DeSean Jackson with a cornerback with safety help over the top. That should free up either Woods, Higbee, or both.”"

The Rams have fallen into the overconfidence trap.  Did they not see what the Cardinals defense had done in the previous three games? Did the LA Rams simply expect the Cardinals to give up in this one?

The Rams have allowed Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray to get confident and cozy in this one.  To turn this one around, the Rams will need to start scoring touchdowns quickly. That, in turn, will pressure the Cardinals offense to match score for score.

Matthew Stafford has engineered some come-from-behind wins. But now, the Rams are down by 14. Perhaps now the offense can get other receivers involved? Van Jefferson is three of three for 48 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Higbee is three of four for 30 yards. Robert Woods is one of two for 18 yards.

Forget the first three weeks. If the LA Rams are to come back in this one, they’ll need to stop the predictability and start throwing to the other guys.  But even as the Rams get the ball, Stafford was under pressure and tried to get the ball to Cooper Kupp again. If not for a roughing the passer penalty on the Cardinals, they would have intercepted Stafford for the second time in this one.

Yikes!

Kupp is three of nine now with 49 yards.  I guess the Rams are not going to learn this lesson easily.