LA Rams demolish Arizona Cardinals
The LA Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals 38-28, moving them back into first place in the NFC West. After a bitter defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams cleansed their palette with an impressive performance against the Cardinals.
One of the keys to success was limiting turnovers – especially Jared Goff who got back on track throwing for 351 yards and two scores (one of them rushing). Goff spread the ball around to nine different receivers and looked to be in rhythm most of the game.
The same cannot be said for Kyler Murray who ran for a paltry 15 yards on five carries, while throwing for 173 yards. The Rams defense confused Murray who completed only three passes in the first half. The Rams linebackers, led by Troy Reeder and Justin Hollins bottled Murray up and made the Cardinals offense work for every yard.
It wasn’t just Murray who had trouble running the ball. The entire Cardinals rush attack, which averaged 154 yards per game heading into the weekend was limited to 93 yards. Credit the Rams defense which surrenders 92 rushing yards per game for imposing their will and shaving 60 rushing yards off the Cardinals average.
On the other side of the ball, the Rams ground game was stellar. Rookie Cam Akers has emerged as the lead back gobbling up 63 percent of the snaps (52), 93 all-purpose yards and a TD. He looked quick and strong and capable of leading the team in carriers moving forward.
Second year back, Darrell Henderson also looked good rushing for 49 yards on three carries – including a 38-yard score late in the game. It looks as though the Rams rush attack is finally taking form after an abbreviated training camp and several injuries, and it couldn’t come at a better time.
Rams will take this momentum back home to face the New England Patriots and cheater extraordinaire, Bill Belichick on a short week this Thursday.
