The Arizona Cardinals close out Super Wild-Card Weekend on Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams inside SoFi Stadium.
The last time the two teams faced off, the Los Angeles Rams’ pass rush dominated Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. Murray threw two interceptions and could not escape defensive tackle Aaron Donald. But the Cardinals showed in Week 4 they could handle the Rams inside the confines of SoFi Stadium.
And they’re facing quarterback Matthew Stafford, who in his 12-year career has gone 0-3 in the playoffs. Stafford is also entering the game with a toe injury, which may hamper his production. However, the Cardinals will need to deal with Cam Akers, who ruptured his Achilles in training camp.
And having boasted one of the league’s most trying run defenses in 2021 doesn’t help the Cardinals. Especially when you add running back Sony Michel into the mix.
However, the Cardinals may have returning help of their own, with J.J. Watt‘s status for Monday looking better and better by the hour. In short, this week’s playoff matchup will be a bag of surprises. So let’s go bold with these predictions.
Cardinals shut down Cooper Kupp
In Week 17, the Cardinals did a decent job shutting down the Dallas Cowboys’ top receiving targets plus tight-end Dalton Schultz. They face a similar situation against the Rams, with Cooper Kupp leading the pass-catching unit.
How good was Kupp? He had a 75% catch rate and an astounding 145 receptions, coming just four catches short of tying Michael Thomas’ 149-catch season in 2019. However, the Cardinals are in a good position to key in on Kupp, as receivers Odell Beckham and Van Jefferson are not as productive as most think.
Both Beckham and Jefferson posted a catch percentage of just 56%. And Beckham especially has not been effective, posting just 38.1 receiving yards per game since joining the Rams. In 2021, he actually posted 0.6 more yards per game during his tumultuous time in Cleveland this season, and recorded a career-low yards-per-target at 6.4.
Tyler Higbee is the Rams’ second-best pass catcher and could become an issue. But as far as receiver is concerned, the Cardinals are in a prime position to make life tough for Kupp. Even with depleted corners.
Kyler Murray scores three combined touchdowns
Murray has 19 total touchdowns in seven games on the road in 2021 as opposed to just 10 in the same number of games at State Farm Stadium. He averaged two touchdown passes per game on the road, so recent history tells us he’ll throw two more on Monday.
Murray also used his legs more in recent weeks, and averages more rushing attempts per game on the road. Look for Murray to make things happen through the air, but don’t be surprised if he finds the end zone on the ground at least once this week.
It’s also worth noting James Conner and Chase Edmonds have both found themselves on the injury report this week. Further indicating Murray must do more with his legs for the Cardinals to have a viable running game.
Finally, the Rams finished sixth in rushing defense in 2021. Murray may be the Cardinals’ best runner on Monday, even if Conner and Edmonds are healthy enough to suit up. Overall, Murray will be the offenses focal point.
Cardinals log a memorable defensive performance
Last week, the San Francisco 49ers ravaged Matthew Stafford for five sacks. Look for the Cardinals to continue that barrage on Stafford, who, despite finishing 5-1 to end the season, has taken 23 sacks in the previous nine games, an average of 2.5 sacks per game.
Contrast Stafford’s sack totals to the first eight weeks of the season, where he took just seven sacks. Stafford’s interception total has also picked up. Since November 7th, he has thrown 13 interceptions and 19 touchdown passes. His TD to INT ratio from September 12th to October 31st? He threw 22 touchdown passes to just four interceptions.
While the Cardinals’ defense slipped up last week, let’s not forget how stingy they are on the road. In nine road games, the Cardinals generated 29 of their 41 sacks, 10 of their 13 interceptions, and they allowed just 18.8 points per game. The Rams may be favored to win, but this (not so) bold prediction shows the Cardinals are in prime position to put up a huge defensive performance.