If I remember correctly, the last game the Rams played the cards, it was with Wolford who threw an INT almost immediately. They are healthier right now, so they will have no excuses. I don't think the Cards could beat Tampa. They have beaten teams they should have beaten, that is all. Two of those wins came against teams with losing records.
None of the teams they have faced have the overall team speed that the Rams have. The Rams have given Murray problems because he's still a two-read then-run QB. He struggles when he's got to stand there and read defenses. So with Morris leaving the short zone primarily uncontested, look for Murray to dump off fast into that short zone.
The Cards' whole philosophy under Kliff is to make every game a shootout. Well, I doubt they can win a shootout against the Rams. Michel gives the Rams a good solid RB to get those tough yards. Henderson is looking likely so they get their homerun hitter back. The Cards' secondary will be playing zone because they can't match up to all the Ram receiving threats. Kupp, Woods, Jefferson, and Jackson should be able to carve it up. Jackson gives the Rams that deep threat that truly worries secondaries. I can see Jefferson in rotation with Woods and Jackson. Add in Higbee and the RBs (all of whom are good receivers) and there is no way AZ can stop the Rams from making it a shootout on LA's terms.
4-0 atop the NFCW is looking pretty likely.
Go to our forum & we, including I, are predicting a loss & already looking forward to SF & CLE. It’s already an L until we can actually beat McVay.
LOL I live in Tucson so I know what you are talking about. Everyone is waiting for the other shoe to drop. The Cards have an offense only as long as Murray stays healthy. He always starts strong but fades as the dings add up over the season. I hear Bidwell has his broom in his office ready to clean house if Kliff doesn't get even a wildcard win. Rumor has it and I would tend to believe it that he's quietly back-channeling a searching for a new FO.
That is the problem when you build your entire team around a specific skill set of a single player. Last year showed that Murray is that lynchpin and when that breaks the wheels fall off. You need a backup QB with a similar skill set. The Card's backup QB is Colt McCoy who hasn't shown he can even play at this level. He's mobile but not really a running threat. He struggles to read from the pocket. Has a tendency to throw a lot of INTs.
It's why IMO the Cards would have grabbed Perkins if he had hit the wire. Perkins runs well and is a better pocket passer than Murray. That is why Perkins is a Ram and could become the #2 QB in 2023. Wolford is a ERFA next year so he's locked into making this roster for 2022. But after that, he's a UFA while Perkins will be a ERFA. What I've seen in Perkins is enough talent to be a good starting QB in the right system. How long he stays in LA will depend upon if the Rams want to stay with Stafford beyond his 38th Bday. Even the seeming less indestructible Ben Rothlisberger is showing his age at 39.
If the Rams want to ride Stafford into his 40's then Perkins becomes trade bait. The clue will be when they begin to showcase Bryce in pre-season.
