Arizona Cardinals return home to face Rams

The Arizona Cardinals return home to State Farm Stadium for the first time since Halloween

After a month of being on the road and taking care of their bye week, the Arizona Cardinals are back in action this Sunday at State Farm Stadium to take on the Los Angeles Rams.  Game time is set for 2:05 p.m.

This will be the first game against the Rams this season.  The Cardinals come in at 3-7-1, having lost three consecutive close games and four overall.

The Rams are at 6-5 and struggling.  They have lost 2 of 3 games, including getting blown out at home last Monday night 45-6 to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Cardinals are coming off their bye and a tough late loss to the San Francisco 49ers 2 weeks ago.  Now they turn the page to December and the first of 3 consecutive home games.

Key Matchup

The Cardinals defense won’t change overnight and won’t be much different than what we’ve seen all season.  However they need to find a way to continue to create turnovers.  It will be the only way the defense will be able to do their part.

The defense has not given up less than 21 points all season.  This could be the last chance in December for cornerback Patrick Peterson in a Cardinals uniform.  He has shown no indication he is at all interested in continuing to perform for this team lately.

Linebacker Chandler Jones is at 12.5 sacks and continues his march to best his NFL-leading 17 sacks from two seasons ago.

The Rams offense has struggled as well.  They’ve scored 12, 17, and 6 points respectively in their past 3 games.  The 17 game in victory over the Chicago Bears.

They’ve had offensive line struggles and had a tough time moving the ball up and down the field.  Quarterback Jared Goff has seemed rather average at best lately.

Return

Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds returns from his month-long absence.  He will be part of a 3-headed rushing attack.  Kenyan Drake will still be the starter.

How the Cardinals use David Johnson on Sunday will be telling.  It will be the first time the Cardinals have had all 3 healthy and ready to play since the acquisition of Drake in the final week of October.

Prediction

Which will give first?  The Cardinals struggling defense or the Rams struggling offense.  You might see some give and take from both.

If the Cardinals can generate enough offense, they may be able to outscore the Rams.  The defense has to do their part though. They may be able to do it. Cardinals 31 Rams 27