Arizona Cardinals outplayed by Los Angeles Rams
By Scott Allen
51. Final. 16. 32. 32
A lot of things were learned on Sunday in regards to the Arizona Cardinals. First and foremost, it is time to now plan for 2017.
The Los Angeles Rams swept the Arizona Cardinals this season by finishing off a 32-16 dusting on Sunday in Glendale at University of Phoenix Stadium. Too many mistakes once again and against good teams like the Rams, mistakes must be limited.
The Rams jumped out to a 16-0 lead early on. To the Cardinals credit they got back as close as 16-13 before the Rams added on a field goal just before halftime.
The Cardinals were able to establish a running game with Kerwynn Williams in the first half, something that was lacking in the first game in London. However the Rams were just too tough and made halftime adjustments for it to be a factor in the end.
Williams was subbing for the injured Adrian Peterson, who was dealing with a neck injury. Williams, dealing with his own rib injury, ran the ball 16 times for 97-yards. Of those 97-yards, 86 of them came in the first half.
More from Raising Zona
- Arizona Cardinals: Could Eric Bieniemy come to the desert?
- Would Jonathan Gannon be a good fit for the Arizona Cardinals?
- Arizona Cardinals: Budda Baker right in his take regarding the next coach
- Arizona Cardinals: 3 reasons new coach should want to work with Murray
- Arizona Cardinals special teams could be completely revamped in 2023
The Cardinals turned the ball over twice in the first half. The Rams even returned the favor once but they ended up a plus-one in the turnover battle on Sunday.
Outside the first road interception for Rams quarterback Jared Goff this season, he was very good. He went 21-31 for 220-yards and two touchdowns. Running back Todd Gurley carried the ball 19-times for 74-yards.
The loss leaves the Cardinals at 5-7 and all but eliminated from the playoff race. Mathematically they are still alive but realistically the slimmest of hopes they had before Sunday are now dashed.
The victory for the Rams puts them at 9-3 and gives them their first winning season since 2003. They continue the march to the postseason.
Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw one touchdown to Larry Fitzgerald but his two interceptions hurt. One of them was returned for a touchdown by Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree.
Gabbert will start for the Cardinals from here on out. It is time to see what they have and who they can rely on going forward as the 2018 season planning can take full effect now.