3 favorable matchups for the Cardinals in Week 4 vs. the Rams

Field position battle

This is perhaps the most overlooked favorable matchup the Cardinals have over the Rams, but it’s ironically, one of the most important. The Rams’ kicking game has struggled all season long in defending kick returners, which could allow the Cardinals to win the field position battle on Sunday.

So far, the Rams have seen 7 kick returns in 3 games, tied for the third-most in the league. They have also given up 27.9 yards per return, the sixth-worst in football. Plus, their touchback percentage of 65 percent ranks in the middle of the pack, if you are wondering.

The Rams allowed an average of 26.5 yards per kick return in Week 1 against Chicago, and had given up a 41-yard return in Week 2 against Indianapolis.

Many expect this game to be a shootout, given the tenacity of both the Cardinals and the Rams offenses heading into Week 4. And if that’s the case, taking advantage of the Rams’ porous kicking team can further tilt things in the Cardinals’ favor.

Want more fun? The Cardinals rank 11th in average kick return yards allowed, 8th in total kick return yards allowed, and have given up just 3 kick returns in 2021.

 (All statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference)