This article is part of our NFL Game Previews series.
Arizona (-1) at St. Louis, Thursday 8:20 p.m.
Comments: The Rams pass defense received a major facelift during Jeff Fisher's first offseason, adding two highly gifted and aggressive corners in Cortland Finnegan and rookie Janoris Jenkins. So far this defense is tied for the fewest passing scores allowed (two) and has picked off eight passes, which is second to only Chicago. So while Kevin Kolb has Larry Fitzgerald and the rising Andre Roberts and Michael Floyd to throw to, he may have a very difficult time getting it through the Rams secondary. If that proves to be the case, look for Ryan Williams to turn in the best performance of his young career facing a front seven that is much softer versus the run (135 yards allowed per game)... The Cardinals defense has relinquished just four touchdowns total in four games (including just one combined between New England and Philadelphia) and is second in the league with 16 sacks. So to even give themselves a chance to win, the Rams need to figure out how to protect Sam Bradford. With more than half their original starting o-line already out with injuries, including both tackles, that will be a tall order. If they can manage to keep him clean though and mimic the way Ryan Tannehill and Miami attacked Arizona with a similarly nondescript corps of receiving weapons, Bradford, Danny Amendola and the Rams may find the end zone. Of course it would help greatly if Steven Jackson (who
Arizona (-1) at St. Louis, Thursday 8:20 p.m.
Comments: The Rams pass defense received a major facelift during Jeff Fisher's first offseason, adding two highly gifted and aggressive corners in Cortland Finnegan and rookie Janoris Jenkins. So far this defense is tied for the fewest passing scores allowed (two) and has picked off eight passes, which is second to only Chicago. So while Kevin Kolb has Larry Fitzgerald and the rising Andre Roberts and Michael Floyd to throw to, he may have a very difficult time getting it through the Rams secondary. If that proves to be the case, look for Ryan Williams to turn in the best performance of his young career facing a front seven that is much softer versus the run (135 yards allowed per game)... The Cardinals defense has relinquished just four touchdowns total in four games (including just one combined between New England and Philadelphia) and is second in the league with 16 sacks. So to even give themselves a chance to win, the Rams need to figure out how to protect Sam Bradford. With more than half their original starting o-line already out with injuries, including both tackles, that will be a tall order. If they can manage to keep him clean though and mimic the way Ryan Tannehill and Miami attacked Arizona with a similarly nondescript corps of receiving weapons, Bradford, Danny Amendola and the Rams may find the end zone. Of course it would help greatly if Steven Jackson (who should play) could get over his groin injury enough to top 60 yards on the ground for the first time this season. And if St. Louis can also steal the Dolphins defensive gameplan and come anywhere near the eight sacks Miami registered, the Rams will keep it close enough for their MVP, kicker Greg "The Leg" Zuerlein — whose range knows no bounds — to win it for them.
Predictions: In a sloppy affair, Kolb throws for 218 yards and scores to Fitz and Floyd. Williams has a career day with 106 yards and his first TD on the ground, outplaying Jackson who goes for just 68 yards. Bradford tosses his team's only score to Austin Pettis in a 245-yard effort, and Zuerlein proves the difference for the second straight week with five field goals. Rams 22-21.
