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Rams at Cardinals -- Week 12
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz. (grass, indoors)
When: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)
Spread: Arizona by 1.5
Records: Rams (Overall: 3-6-1, NFC West: 2-0-1); Cardinals (Overall: 4-6, NFC West 1-2).
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 4, 2012: Rams 17, Cardinals 3; Nov. 27, 2011: Cardinals 23, Rams 20. Series record: Tied 33-33-2.
What matters: Pride. Losers of six straight, Arizona is reeling. Defensively, the Cardinals have been more on than off -- particularly in intercepting Matt Ryan five times last Sunday -- but it's as if the offense does not have a switch at all. Whether rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley is a temporary stop-gap until Kevin Kolb returns, or if coach Ken Whisenhunt actually has future plans that include Lindley, the Arizona offense simply needs to play better, for one week, against the Rams. Granted, it can't play much worse than it did against the Falcons, but in a must-win game -- at least from a confidence standpoint -- the Cardinals need to step up.
Who matters: Lindley. The unheralded sixth-round pick out of San Diego State started his college career beautifully, and some wondered if he would go down as the best quarterback in Aztecs history. Then halfway through his college career, he started to do too much, his accuracy began to slip and he ultimately slipped from a possible early-round pick to the sixth. One thing is for sure: Whisenhunt won't expect or demand too much from the kid. With RB LaRod Stephens-Howling coming off his best game, a 127-yard effort against the Falcons, and RB Beanie Wells back to some degree from a torn ligament in his toe and a knee that is now fully healed after offseason surgery, the wily head coach will try to keep the game out of the hands of the youngster, who completed just 9 of 20 passes for 64 yards last week in relief of Skelton.
Key matchups: The matchup between young and not-so-old at quarterback could end up determining the game. One of the key reasons both teams have struggled over recent weeks has been poor quarterback play, as St. Louis' Sam Bradford and Arizona's John Skelton, Kolb and Lindley wonder trio has not been effective. Bradford, the 2010 No. 1 pick, has not taken major strides, but even he has been better than the Cardinals' sacrificial lambs, and he should have the edge over Lindley in his first start. Ultimately, whichever quarterback does less to doom his team should prevail.
Injuries of note: The Cardinals are finally starting to get healthy, with guys like tight end Todd Heap (knee), cornerback Greg Toler (hamstring) and Wells practicing in full. Defensive end Calais Campbell (calf), though, was limited this week and his absence could be crucial. ... The Rams may be without leading receiver Danny Amendola (foot), who did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was in a walking boot this week, and linebacker Mario Haggan (elbow). RB Steven Jackson, however, is expected to play.
Inside stuff: When Whisenhunt pulled Skelton despite a 13-0 lead against Atlanta, it raised eyebrows. When Lindley fumbled on his first series and it was recovered for a touchdown by the Falcons, the eyebrows were 50 feet high. But Whisenhunt had simply seen enough of Skelton's inability to hit the open man, particularly a would-be touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald that went awry. He grew frustrated and tired and tired of being frustrated and turned to a kid who had never thrown an NFL pass. It doesn't appear that he'll be turning back to Skelton, who was so instrumental in the Cardinals' late-season surge last year.
Connections: The Cardinals franchise moved from St. Louis to the Phoenix area following the 1987 season. It was eight years before St. Louis landed the Rams from Los Angeles. … Cardinals LB Paris Lenon played for the Rams in 2009.
Stats you should know: Perhaps the biggest sign of Arizona's offensive inefficiency: The Cardinals went just 2 of 16 on third down against the Falcons. They were completely unable to keep Atlanta off the field, despite ample opportunity to do so, finishing with just seven first downs. ... The Arizona offense had a shockingly good game in one category, though. The woeful Cardinals' offensive line allowed just three sacks.
Looking ahead: Arizona has gotten through the brutal part of the schedule and now has some winnable games ahead. After a visit to the New York Jets next week, they head to Seattle, then host Detroit.
Prediction: Cardinals 23, Rams 17
For more news and analysis from Cardinals blogger Jon Gold, follow @CBSCardinals on Twitter.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-r ... on-tv-info
Rams at Cardinals -- Week 12
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz. (grass, indoors)
When: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)
Spread: Arizona by 1.5
Records: Rams (Overall: 3-6-1, NFC West: 2-0-1); Cardinals (Overall: 4-6, NFC West 1-2).
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 4, 2012: Rams 17, Cardinals 3; Nov. 27, 2011: Cardinals 23, Rams 20. Series record: Tied 33-33-2.
What matters: Pride. Losers of six straight, Arizona is reeling. Defensively, the Cardinals have been more on than off -- particularly in intercepting Matt Ryan five times last Sunday -- but it's as if the offense does not have a switch at all. Whether rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley is a temporary stop-gap until Kevin Kolb returns, or if coach Ken Whisenhunt actually has future plans that include Lindley, the Arizona offense simply needs to play better, for one week, against the Rams. Granted, it can't play much worse than it did against the Falcons, but in a must-win game -- at least from a confidence standpoint -- the Cardinals need to step up.
Who matters: Lindley. The unheralded sixth-round pick out of San Diego State started his college career beautifully, and some wondered if he would go down as the best quarterback in Aztecs history. Then halfway through his college career, he started to do too much, his accuracy began to slip and he ultimately slipped from a possible early-round pick to the sixth. One thing is for sure: Whisenhunt won't expect or demand too much from the kid. With RB LaRod Stephens-Howling coming off his best game, a 127-yard effort against the Falcons, and RB Beanie Wells back to some degree from a torn ligament in his toe and a knee that is now fully healed after offseason surgery, the wily head coach will try to keep the game out of the hands of the youngster, who completed just 9 of 20 passes for 64 yards last week in relief of Skelton.
Key matchups: The matchup between young and not-so-old at quarterback could end up determining the game. One of the key reasons both teams have struggled over recent weeks has been poor quarterback play, as St. Louis' Sam Bradford and Arizona's John Skelton, Kolb and Lindley wonder trio has not been effective. Bradford, the 2010 No. 1 pick, has not taken major strides, but even he has been better than the Cardinals' sacrificial lambs, and he should have the edge over Lindley in his first start. Ultimately, whichever quarterback does less to doom his team should prevail.
Injuries of note: The Cardinals are finally starting to get healthy, with guys like tight end Todd Heap (knee), cornerback Greg Toler (hamstring) and Wells practicing in full. Defensive end Calais Campbell (calf), though, was limited this week and his absence could be crucial. ... The Rams may be without leading receiver Danny Amendola (foot), who did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was in a walking boot this week, and linebacker Mario Haggan (elbow). RB Steven Jackson, however, is expected to play.
Inside stuff: When Whisenhunt pulled Skelton despite a 13-0 lead against Atlanta, it raised eyebrows. When Lindley fumbled on his first series and it was recovered for a touchdown by the Falcons, the eyebrows were 50 feet high. But Whisenhunt had simply seen enough of Skelton's inability to hit the open man, particularly a would-be touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald that went awry. He grew frustrated and tired and tired of being frustrated and turned to a kid who had never thrown an NFL pass. It doesn't appear that he'll be turning back to Skelton, who was so instrumental in the Cardinals' late-season surge last year.
Connections: The Cardinals franchise moved from St. Louis to the Phoenix area following the 1987 season. It was eight years before St. Louis landed the Rams from Los Angeles. … Cardinals LB Paris Lenon played for the Rams in 2009.
Stats you should know: Perhaps the biggest sign of Arizona's offensive inefficiency: The Cardinals went just 2 of 16 on third down against the Falcons. They were completely unable to keep Atlanta off the field, despite ample opportunity to do so, finishing with just seven first downs. ... The Arizona offense had a shockingly good game in one category, though. The woeful Cardinals' offensive line allowed just three sacks.
Looking ahead: Arizona has gotten through the brutal part of the schedule and now has some winnable games ahead. After a visit to the New York Jets next week, they head to Seattle, then host Detroit.
Prediction: Cardinals 23, Rams 17
For more news and analysis from Cardinals blogger Jon Gold, follow @CBSCardinals on Twitter.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-r ... on-tv-info