LA Rams: 6 bold predictions for Cardinals vs. Rams

The LA Rams are heading for another showdown of undefeated teams. This week the Arizona Cardinals are coming to town. Based on the way the Cardinals struggled through three quarters in their Week 3 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, they were likely guilty of looking past the Jags to this game.

The LA Rams didn’t have the luxury of overlooking anyone. The Rams have faced, and defeated, three well-coached teams that competed just months earlier in the NFL Playoffs. Even as the Arizona Cardinals are coming to town undefeated, they are the first non-playoff team that the LA Rams have faced this year. The reason they didn’t make it to the playoffs? Why the very same Rams teams that they face this week.

This is not a game where two offenses will wind up and let ‘er fly. After witnessing what the Rams were able to do against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense, surrender ground, but stiffen when the Bucs threatened, I can see a similar approach and result against the Cardinals.

The Buccaneers’ offense boasts three very good wide receivers, and tight end Rob Gronkowski. Gronk is a tough matchup for any defense in the red zone.  The Cardinals’ offense boasts four good wide receivers.  For the Rams secondary, they will match up pretty well to that offense, because the Rams have plenty of options to mix/match defensive backs. This could be the game where the rookie defensive back, Robert Rochell, gets a healthy dose of defensive snaps.

Bold Prediction I: Rams will force two turnovers

The Arizona Cardinals will ride a wave of emotions early in this one, playing with a lot of passion. But playing on emotions can lead to making mistakes. Quarterback Kyler Murray will take off running in this one. Who can blame him? The Rams pass rush will have the nozzle turn up to high on Sebastian Joseph day, A’Shawn Robinson, Aaron Donald, Michael Hoecht, Greg Gaines, and a host of outside linebackers.

Aaron Donald has three speeds. He has his normally fast moves to the quarterback. Then he has a faster cobra-strike speed where he gets past the blockers and to the quarterback. Finally, he has a lightning strike move that can arrive at the quarterback just as the football gets there. I expect we’ll see a few of his cobra strikes in this one. And much like the strip of Tom Brady, his hand will rip the ball out of Murray’s hands.