Game Previews: Rams vs. Cardinals

[RamBill]

Early preview: Rams vs. Cardinals
December 01, 2015 1:05 am • By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_9cd77ebc-2c73-5204-9276-4716b5c3b413.html

COMING THIS WEEK

The reeling Rams, 4-7 and losers in their last four outings, will square off with the hottest team outside of undefeated Carolina when they face the Arizona Cardinals (9-2) in a noon game Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome. Arizona gutted out a 19-13 win at San Francisco on Sunday and has won five in a row and six of its last seven.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. In his 12th NFL season, the 32-year-old Fitzgerald shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. On Sunday, he caught 10 passes for 66 yards while surpassing a pair of league legends. With 13,143 career receiving yards, he passed Hall of Famer Steve Largent and moved into 16th place on the all-time list and with 992 career catches as he moved to No. 12, passing future Hall of Famer Randy Moss as well as current 49ers’ wideout Anquan Boldin.

An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Fitzgerald has 83 catches for 992 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

HE SAID IT

“It was just a fight,’’ Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer said after the Cardinals won at San Francisco for the first time since 2008. “That was an NFC West fight. And that’s what we’re going. Being on top the way we are, we’re going to get everybody’s best shot.’’

Palmer, who struggled at times Sunday, scored the go-ahead TD on an 8-yard run with 2:28 to play. It was just the eighth scoring run of his career and his first since 2008. With the win, the Cardinals have a three-game lead atop the NFC West.

INJURIES

Rams coach Jeff Fisher is hopeful that QB Case Keenum (concussion), DE Robert Quinn (hip/back), tackle Rob Havenstein (calf), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (thigh) and kicker Greg Zuerlein (groin) can make it back to the practice field at some point this week.

In the third quarter of Sunday’s road game, the Cardinals lost cornerback Jerraud Powers (calf) and running backs Chris Johnson (knee) and Andre Ellington (foot) to injury. On Monday, Johnson, a prime candidate for Comeback Player of the Year, learned that he’d broken his tibia and would be out indefinitely. The Cardinals played Sunday without defensive linemen Frostee Rucker (ankle), Cory Redding (ankle) and Ed Stinson (groin).

SERIES HISTORY

The Rams, who trail 37-35-2 in the series, snapped a three-game losing streak against the Cardinals with a 24-22 win on Oct. 4 at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams set the tone early in the Week 4 contest as Mark Barron knocked the ball away from the Cardinals’ David Johnson on the opening kickoff and teammate Daren Bates recovered at the Arizona 17 to set up a 12-yard TD pass from Nick Foles to Tavon Austin. The visiting Rams held the lead the rest of the way, limiting the Cardinals to five field goals and a TD pass with 4:38 to play.

 

[RamBill]

Nick Wagoner sizes up the Rams chances against the Cardinals. He talks Rams with Bernie.

Listen to Wagoner Talk Rams

 

[RamBill]

NFL analysts Pete Prisco, Pat Kirwan and Brady Quinn break down the keys for the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams ahead of their Week 13 NFC West showdown in St. Louis. They all pick the Cardinals big over the Rams.

Watch Rams-Cards Preview

 

[RamBill]

Is Carson Palmer the Biggest Difference in the AZ vs. STL Success?

Mike Young and Kevin Wheeler discuss all things Rams and Cardinals and if there is any improvements that can be made on offense.

Listen to Young Talk Rams

 

[RamBill]

Game Notes for 12/6: Cardinals at Rams

Matt SegalWeb Site Coordinator

View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Game-Notes-for-126-Cardinals-at-Rams/df42aeb2-1245-4557-807e-7ed296773d67

THE GAME
Who: Arizona Cardinals (9-2) at St. Louis Rams (4-7)
When: Sunday, Dec. 6 -- Noon CT
Where: Edward Jones Dome / St. Louis, Mo.

TELEVISION
Network: FOX
In St. Louis: KTVI-2
Talent: Chris Myers (pbp), Ronde Barber (analyst) and Jen Hale (sidelines)

RADIO
Network: Rams Radio Network
In St. Louis: WXOS-101.1 FM
Talent: Steve Savard (pbp), D’Marco Farr (analyst) and Will Witherspoon (sidelines)

WATCH ON-LINE
NFL.com/GamePass

DIGITAL MEDIA
StLouisRams.com
Facebook.com/Rams
Instagram: @StLouisRams
Twitter: @StLouisRams, @MylesASimmons and @DaniKlup


THE LAST GAME
Score: Cincinnati Bengals 31, St. Louis Rams 7
Date: Sunday, Nov. 29
Location: Paul Brown Stadium / Cincinnati, Ohio
“Five Takeaways” from Myles Simmons

SERIES NOTES
Regular Season: St. Louis leads 37-36-2
Last Meeting: Rams 24, Cardinals 22 / Oct. 4, 2015 in Glendale, Ariz.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Arizona Cardinals were in St. Louis from 1960-87. They played at Sportsman's Park and old Busch Stadium. St. Louis had both professional football and baseball teams known as the Cardinals during that era.

OPPONENT SNAPSHOT
Primary Owner: Bill Bidwill
General Manager: Steve Keim
Head Coach: Bruce Arians
Moved to Arizona: 1988
Super Bowl Titles: None
Playoff Appearances: 9
2014 Record: 11-5
2014 Playoffs: Lost to Carolina in the NFC Wild Card round

FORMER CARDINALS IN ST. LOUIS
Assistant Head Coach Dave McGinnis was Arizona's head coach from 2000-03 after serving as its defensive coordinator from 1996-00.
Linebackers Coach Frank Bush was an assistant with Arizona from 2004-06.
Secondary Coach Chuck Cecil played for the Cardinals from 1993-94.
Assistant Defensive Line Coach Clyde Simmons played for the Cardinals from 1994-95.
S T.J. McDonald is the son of former Cardinals S Tim McDonald.

FORMER RAMS IN ARIZONA
TE Darren Fells is the brother of former Rams TE Daniel Fells.

RAMS WITH ARIZONA TIES
Secondary Coach Chuck Cecil played at the University of Arizona.
QB Nick Foles played at the University of Arizona.

CARDINALS WITH MISSOURI TIES
LB Markus Golden is a St. Louis native and played at the University of Missouri.
LB Sean Weatherspoon played at the University of Missouri.

 

[RamBill]

After four straight losses, Rams returning to NFC West comfort zone
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...osses-rams-returning-to-nfc-west-comfort-zone

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- From the moment Jeff Fisher arrived as head coach of the St. Louis Rams in 2012, the team faced an uphill battle to contend in the NFC West division. At the time, the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers were emerging as Super Bowl contenders and the road to the postseason went through them for the Rams and Arizona Cardinals.

"We built this team to compete in the division," Fisher said. "There's familiarity. I'm disappointed that we haven't played good football outside the division, but we have good match-ups. We understand the match-ups. We understand the challenges.”

The Rams have certainly proved that some level of familiarity gives them a chance to get wins against their NFC West brethren. Even in games in which Seattle, Arizona or San Francisco have a clear roster advantage, the Rams usually find a way to be competitive, if not victorious.

This season has offered the biggest glimpse of the Rams' lack of divisional balance under Fisher. Against NFC West foes, the Rams are 3-0. Against non-divisional opponents, the Rams are 1-7. Included in those three NFC West wins is a triumph against the division-leading Cardinals, who have just two losses on the season.

The teams will meet again Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome as the Rams get back into divisional play after a four-week hiatus that has seen them suffer blowout losses to Cincinnati and Chicago and a pair of narrow misses against Minnesota and Baltimore.

If you're looking for hope that the Rams can get back in the win column against a tough opponent like Arizona, that hope can be found in familiarity.

"I think we just know them very well," linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "You see them twice a year, you know exactly what they're going to run, they know what we're going to try to do to stop it. It's just a matter of who can execute and really play faster and make the big plays. We played them last time, we were able to do that and get a takeaway or two and really capitalize offensively on those things. We have got to do the same thing. We've got to find a way to get takeaways, we have got to be great in the red zone and really limit them to what they can accomplish."

Since 2012, the first year of Fisher's tenure, the Rams are 10-10-1 against the Niners, Seahawks and Cardinals. Against non-NFC West teams, the Rams are 14-24 with only 2013 serving as an outlier when they went 6-4 against teams outside the division and 1-5 inside of it.

Asked to explain the contrast in performance, Rams defensive end Chris Long couldn't put his finger on it but knows the challenge this week is one of the toughest the Rams will see all year.

"This won't be the week to try to change that trend," Long said. "We're going to try to continue to be solid in the division and worry about that other stuff after this week. This is a big week for us. It's a great team we're playing, as usual. A lot of talent, well coached, a lot of weapons so we need a win."

The Rams have lost three of their past four games against Arizona though they won 24-22 earlier this season in Arizona. On the bright side for the Rams, the Cardinals have lost two of their past three road games in St. Louis, averaging just 13 points in those meetings.

Those are the types of close games that the Rams have too often let slip through their fingers so far this year. Looking back, the Rams are already lamenting the near-misses against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Vikings and Ravens.

"Honestly, it just comes down to us not finishing games this year," end William Hayes said. "You can put your finger on three games and say it could have been a coin toss that went either way. We're just not finishing games. That's the big thing. I don't think it has anything to do with coaching, I just think us as a collective group, the players, we're not doing a good job of finishing plays and doing the things we need to do to win football games."

Whether a return to NFC West play can make the Rams better at finishing those games remains to be seen but there's no denying that the Rams must be better at it, no matter the opponent.

 

[RamBill]

Kent Somers from the Arizona Republic on if the Rams can pull the upset this weekend.

Listen to Somers Talk Rams-Cards

 

[DaveFan'51]

NFL analysts Pete Prisco, Pat Kirwan and Brady Quinn break down the keys for the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams ahead of their Week 13 NFC West showdown in St. Louis. They all pick the Cardinals big over the Rams.

Watch Rams-Cards Preview

I Listen to these guys and when they Talk about how the Cards, performed against the 49ers, combined with the problems the Cards are having. I don't see hoe they are picking them to win by double digits! JMHO

 

[RamBill]

Reporter Dani Klupenger sits down with head coach Jeff Fisher to discuss this week’s matchup against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals.

Watch Fisher Up Front

 

[RamBill]

Rams don't dislike Cardinals, but they should be envious
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...e-arians-cardinals-but-they-should-be-envious

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Rarely afraid to offer a blunt, honest opinion, Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians again made it clear how he feels about the St. Louis Rams earlier this week.

“I’ll have dinner with ’em, but I ain’t liking ’em,” Arians told Arizona reporters. “I ain’t drinking with ’em.”

It wasn't the first time Arians has fired a salvo at the Rams and coach Jeff Fisher. After last year's 12-6 win in St. Louis, Arians wasn't happy that his team entered the game as underdogs, saying, “I love it when nobody says that you will have a chance to win. There is an 11-3 team, and a team that is always 8-8. You figure it out.”

Then, after the Cardinals defeated the 49ers on Sunday, Arians referred to the Rams as "that team we don't like." Of course, Arians has always spoken his mind and some of it may be just bluster, but it's also safe to say Fisher and the Rams won't be receiving a Christmas card from Arians this year.

This week, the Rams mostly took the high road when asked about the Cardinals. Despite the Rams' 24-22 win in Arizona earlier this season, the Cardinals are 9-2 and the Rams are 4-7, headed toward a 12th consecutive non-winning season.

"I think we’ve got a rivalry going in the division with all three teams," Fisher said. "I wouldn’t go as far as to say we don’t like them. We respect them and they play hard."

Respect was a common word among the Rams' players, too. But there are other words, such as envious, that could have been used.

While the Rams have played the Cardinals hard and close on multiple occasions since Fisher took over in 2012 and Arians joined Arizona in 2013, the directions of the franchises have been decidedly opposite.

Since Arians became the head coach, the Cardinals are 30-13 -- narrowly missing the playoffs in his first season, earning a wild card last season despite injuries at quarterback, and on their way to their first NFC West division title since 2009. In the three years before Arians' arrival, the Cardinals were 18-30.

Under Fisher, the Rams are 24-34-1 -- with a record that's gotten worse each season, with a chance to bottom out this year if the Rams don't win at least two of their final five games. They haven't come anywhere close to a playoff bid, though that record still represents an upgrade over the 10-38 mark the Rams had in the three years before Fisher.

To be sure, Arizona isn't the only team to enjoy a turnaround while St. Louis still languishes in NFL purgatory. But since the Cardinals are this week's opponent and coming to St. Louis with revenge on their minds, it's fair to wonder where Arizona went right and St. Louis went wrong.

The most obvious answer is at quarterback, where the Cardinals clearly prioritized finding a solution capable of executing Arians' vertical attack. Arians had always preferred such a scheme, and he knew that he needed a big-armed signal-caller to make it work. The Cardinals traded a sixth-round draft pick and a conditional pick to land Carson Palmer, placing a small bet that Palmer would be rejuvenated away from the Raiders.

It's a bet that's paid off in a major way. Although Palmer has been slowed by injuries, the Cardinals are 25-8 in games he's started the past two-plus seasons. This year, Palmer is having his best season yet, leading the NFL in QBR and yards per attempt and second in passer rating and touchdown passes. He's elbowed his way into the MVP conversation along with New England quarterback Tom Brady and Carolina quarterback Cam Newton.

"You can argue for Tom, you could definitely argue for Cam," linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "But Carson to me, you just look back to last year and you see what happened when he got hurt and where they went. (Backup Drew) Stanton tried to do a good job of carrying the ship but they’re just not the same without Carson back there. He’s playing at a very high level. I have got a lot of respect for him. You think about where he was with Cincinnati with all that contract stuff, he gets shipped off to Oakland and basically people thought this guy is done and then boom, he’s back in Arizona and playing at an extremely high level."

Playing at a high level is something no Rams quarterback has done since Marc Bulger in 2006. Upon taking the job, Fisher said Sam Bradford was one of the primary reasons he chose St. Louis. But Bradford couldn't stay healthy and the Rams finally gave up on him, trading for Nick Foles and hoping he'd be closer to the 2013 version of himself.

Instead, the Rams' quarterbacks rank last in the NFL this season in QBR (30.6), passing yards per game (180.9), yards per attempt (5.9) and tied for last in touchdown passes (8).

Of course, the Cardinals' success goes beyond the quarterback. Arizona has talented players at nearly every position, having drafted well and supplemented those picks with solid free-agent signings like tackle Jared Veldheer. The Cardinals' coaching staff has also mixed experienced veteran leaders, such as assistant head coach Tom Moore, with energetic youngsters like former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, now the head coach of the Jets.

"They have done a great job with their roster and signing Carson Palmer has been big for them," Laurinaitis said. "They have just made really smart, veteran moves and also drafted well. They’ve done a good job over there."

The Rams are 2-3 against the Cardinals since Arians arrived, proving they can hang with the current top dog in the NFC West. But it's safe to say they'd gladly trade one or both of those victories for something closer to Arizona's real, dramatic improvement.

 

[RamBill]

Josh Weinfuss joined Kevin Wheeler to talk about the Rams and Cards matchup, how the Cards are prepped for this one, Arizona without CJ and Andre Ellington, and the impact of Carson Palmer

Listen to Weinfuss Talk Rams/Cards