An Optimist’s View of the 2017 Arizona Cardinals Schedule
By Jeremy Meek
The Los Angeles Rams always play tough against divisional opponents
The Los Angeles Rams haven’t had a season where they finished over .500 since 2003. Futility has become the norm for a franchise that competed yearly in the early part of this century. One place they’ve played well in, however, has been inside the division.
In 2016, the franchise’s first back in LA, the Rams struggled badly, finishing 4-12. They drafted Jared Goff to be the quarterback of the future, but he had an abysmal rookie year, completing just 54% of his passes for more interceptions than touchdowns. As a starter, he went 0-7.
The Cardinals and Rams split their games last year, both teams taking a loss at home. The same thing happened in 2015. Both losses by Arizona were close, though, while the two wins were decisive.
Jared Goff will likely be turned loose in 2017, as the Rams need him to develop into the player they envisioned when they traded up for him. They’re solid on defense, but have been terrible on offense. Arizona 20 – Los Angeles 3