Rams’ 4 biggest causes for concern vs. Cardinals in Week 13
After suffering a deflating loss to the 49ers in Week 12, the Rams are back this week with yet another NFC West matchup. This time, it’s against a team they haven’t faced this year: the Cardinals.
Arizona is 6-5 this season, with Kyler Murray leading the offense in Year 2 as a starter. The Rams have won six straight against the Cardinals in the last three years, but this isn’t the same team they’ve beat up on.
Here are four causes for concern as they get ready to take the field against Arizona on Sunday.
Kyler Murray’s mobility
(AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
The Rams did an excellent job containing Murray on the ground last year, holding him to just 28 yards rushing on six carries. He did score a touchdown, but it didn’t matter much. Keeping him in check on Sunday will be paramount for L.A. in this one. The Rams have the talent to match up with the Cardinals’ receivers outside, but if they can't keep Murray in the pocket throughout the afternoon, it won't matter much. When he has at least 60 yards rushing this season, the Cardinals are 5-2.
Jared Goff’s turnovers
(AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Goff has given the ball away 10 times in his last four games, throwing six interceptions and losing four fumbles. The Rams are 2-2 in those games and are just 1-6 all-time when Goff has at least three turnovers in a game. The Cardinals don’t take the ball away often – they’ve forced just 14 turnovers all year, 18th in the NFL – so this is a good chance for Goff to bounce back. But if he continues to be careless with the ball, the Rams won’t win. Arizona is 4-1 when taking the ball away at least twice this season, with their only loss coming last week against New England.
Cardinals’ red zone efficiency
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Only three teams in the NFL are as efficient as the Cardinals offense in the red zone. They score touchdowns 73.7% of the time, largely thanks to Murray’s legs; he has 10 rushing touchdowns this year. Defensively, they’re just as good. The Cardinals rank fifth in red zone defense, allowing touchdowns only 52.6% of the time. The Rams have been just about average in the red zone this season – 10th offensively and 19th defensively – but they’ll need to be above-average against Arizona. Converting in the red zone and keeping the Cardinals out of the end zone will be a deciding factor in this one.
Containing RBs in the passing game
Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Of Murray’s 264 completions, 55 have been to Chase Edmonds and Kenyan Drake. That’s a reception share of about 20%, which is far higher than the Rams’ rate of 13% for Malcolm Brown, Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers. Clearly, Murray likes to target his running backs in the passing game, and that will be evident on Sunday. The Rams are without Micah Kiser, which leaves them thin at inside linebacker. Troy Reeder and Kenny Young must keep up with Arizona’s running backs in the passing game, otherwise they could pick up big yardage after the catch the way Deebo Samuel did. The Rams will need to be at their best when it comes to tackling.
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