Rams’ 4 biggest causes for concern vs. Cardinals in Week 17
In this difficult 2020 season that has featured more adversity and challenges than a typical year, the Rams will face their toughest test to close out the regular season.
Needing a win over the Cardinals or a loss by the Bears in order to make the playoffs, the Rams’ fate rests in the hands of John Wolford. With four of their most important players missing due to injury or COVID-19, there’s plenty of concern for L.A. this weekend.
Here are their four biggest causes for concern against the Cardinals, who are also seeking a win in order to make the playoffs.
Missing Goff and Kupp
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Rams will be without two of their most important players in the biggest game of the season. Kupp had five catches that went for first downs on third down last week, and that’s not a luxury John Wolford will have on Sunday. As poorly as Goff has been playing, missing a starting quarterback is never easy, especially when the backup has never played an NFL snap before. Sean McVay will need to come up with a game plan to make up for the losses of Goff and Kupp, especially on third down.
Slowing down Cardinals’ run game without Brockers
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Brockers has been arguably the Rams’ best run defender this season, putting together a career year for L.A. But he’ll be unavailable due to COVID-19 protocol, so the Rams will be missing a key player against one of the league’s best rushing offenses. Morgan Fox will have to step up, as will A’Shawn Robinson at defensive end. They must set the edge alongside Leonard Floyd and contain not only Kyler Murray in the pocket, but also close down running lanes for Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds.
John Wolford holding up vs. Cardinals’ blitzes
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Only three teams in the NFL blitz more than Vance Joseph and the Cardinals, and that blitzing could be turned up a notch on Sunday against a first-time starting quarterback. Expect Joseph to try to rattle Wolford with consistent pressure and exotic blitzes to confuse the quarterback. Haason Reddick can get rush the passer on his own, but he’ll get plenty of help from the rest of Arizona’s defense throughout the game. How Wolford handles collapsing pockets and pressure will determine this one.
Scoring in the red zone
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams are only 13th in red zone scoring this year, and they’re facing a Cardinals defense that ranks seventh in that department. Stalling drives were the Achilles’ heel of the Rams against Seattle, failing to score when reaching the red zone – and specifically on fourth down near the end zone. Converting in the red zone and scoring touchdowns instead of field goals will be paramount for the Rams because this Cardinals team can score in a hurry and L.A. will need to keep pace. That won’t happen by settling for field goals like they did in Seattle.
1
1
