As Q1 ends, Cardinals teaching Rams a lesson not to look past them to Week 3

Week 2 is not going the LA Rams way. In fact, nothing seems to be going the Rams way in this game. After just one quarter of regulation play, the Arizona Cardinals are making a very strong case for a clean sweep of NFL awards. As for the Rams? They are bewildered, ineffective, and completely hapless.

The Rams needed many players to step up in this one. But so far, none have done so.

You don't need me to tell you the score in this one. The Rams offense is not doing very well. But the Rams defense?

Nothing is going right.

Did this team conclude that they are 'there' already after showing resistance to a potent Detroit Lions offense in Week 1? Or did the team get caught looking ahead to their Week 3 confrontation with the San Francisco 49ers, and get caught flat-footed in Week 2 against a very dangerous Arizona Cardinals offense?

How bad is this one? RB Kyren Williams has opened the game by rushing four times for six yards. In a game when the Rams need to get the defense a chance to catch their breath and regroup. But the Rams are reeling. And the game is far too lopsided and far too early to keep Rams fans interested.

The Rams' defense has shown no answer to slowing down RB James Conner, rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr, and QB Kyler Murray. Murray has completed eight of nine for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Marvin Harrison Jr. has caught four of five targets for 130 yards and two touchdowns (early in the second quarter). And RB James Conner has rushed eight times for 47 yards.

The team is in a deep hold now, and per ESPN statistical probability, are 90 percent on their way to losing their second consecutive game of the season. While the Rams were hampered with injuries early this season, this game was the most likely victory before the team rolls into their Week 6 BYE week.

This is turning into a rout. That's shocking, as you would have expected the team to be prepared to face a divisional rival. Even if the Rams do rally, the Cardinals have scored three touchdowns with ease. The Rams are struggling, at a time that they needed to show up.

The biggest question now is: How well can the team respond to this type of adversity?

As always, thanks for reading.