Arizona Cardinals: The Fourth Time is a Charm

Dec. 16, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson against the Detroit Lions at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Today the Arizona Cardinals take on the 5-7 St. Louis Rams who have won the last three meetings with the Cardinals. Both are not the same team that meet each other back in week one. The Cardinals no longer have Levi Brown who gave up five sacks against Robert Quinn and the Rams are without Sam Bradford and Scott Wells. The Rams also have a new starting running back in Zac Stacy.

Kellen Clemens is making his sixth start today and is 75 of 145 with 1,019 yards. He has five touchdowns and three interceptions while connecting with many receivers. Not only do the Cardinals have to deal with Jared Cook, Tavon Austin, Chris Givens, and Austin Pettis, but Stedmen Bailey is getting more snaps as of late and had three receptions for 49 yards last week against the 49ners.

Rookie running back Zac Stacy took over as the starting back in week five and has 696 yards. He is averaging 4.3 yards a carry, has four touchdowns, and his longest rush was for 35 yards. Even though the Rams are 5-7 and lost to the 49ners last week 13-23, does`nt mean the Cardinals` defense is going to have an easy time.

The Cardinals` offense is facing a defense that has 37 sacks so far this year and knows how to get to the QB. Rashard Mendenhall had a good game against the Rams in week one and with his play as of late, hopefully he can pull of another good game today. My biggest worry today is how well will Bradley Sowell hold up against Quinn who had five sacks on Carson Palmer in week one. Sowell has done a better job than Brown, but he`s had his moments and is facing a sack machine in Quinn who has 13 sacks this year.

I really want to believe that the Cardinals` offense will be able to handle the Rams` defense, but if Palmer does`nt play or play well, I`m not sure how this game will play out. The Cardinals` defense is really going to have to play light outs and even score some points with or without Palmer. I really do like the Cardinals` defense in this game and after last week`s tough loss plus the unit playing better than they did in week one, I believe game is going to come down to who has the better defense and I`m going to have to give it to the Cardinals.