LA Rams humbled by Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium

A slice of humble pie

The Rams have fallen from “intense urgency” to casual laughter and merriment. Success is both a positive and a negative. It is positive when it fuels the confidence required to meet any challenge with the best performance possible. It is negative when it allows shortcuts, diminishes intensity, passion, and preparedness. It’s fatal when it tricks the belief that someone is better than they really are.

There were players who didn’t play well in this one. I wasn’t thrilled to see David Long Jr. beaten repeatedly. I didn’t see much pass coverage from Taylor Rapp. For that matter, I didn’t see much in terms of run defense from anyone in this one. Much like the Rams, this Cardinals team is built to get a lead and then outgun their opponents to the finish line. They did to the Rams what the Rams did to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

One point to note. This LA Rams team was down by 11 points at the half. The Cardinals’ defensive philosophy was exactly what we expected from them. Their secondary focused on the two most dangerous receivers on the Rams offense, Cooper Kupp, and DeSean Jackson, and committed to stopping them.  At halftime, Cooper Kupp was 2-7 for 40 yards. Desean Jackson was 0-2 but one interception. The Cardinals were prepared.

Kupp ended the game at 5-13 for 64 yards. Jackson ended the game at 1-3 for six yards. Who were the offensive stars? Van Jefferson was 6 of 6 for 90 yards and one touchdown. Robert Woods was 4 of 6 for 48 yards and one touchdown. Painful lesson here, but this LA Rams team was outcoached from the opening kickoff to the final score.