3 key matchups for Arizona Cardinals vs. Rams – Week 3

The Arizona Cardinals took advantage of mismatches in their Week 2 win over the Raiders. Here are three key matchups for Week 3. 

In Week 2 cornerback Byron Murphy played the game of his life. Before his 59-yard run gave the Arizona Cardinals a come from behind win over the Las Vegas Raiders, he allowed just two catches for 12 yards against one of the league’s best in Davante Adams.

It was a key matchup he needed to win to help the Cardinals score their improbable W. This week, Murphy will be part of a secondary that will face one of the NFL’s most prolific quarterback-receiver duos in Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp.

But Stafford and Kupp aren’t the only two players the Cardinals need to match up well against. Here are three key matchups for Sunday’s contest.

Matchup #1 – Arizona Cardinals run defense vs. Rams backfield

The Rams are currently 31st in rushing offense. However, the Cardinals had a tough time stopping the Rams rushing attack last season. And though the Redbirds currently rank 15th in the league in yards per carry allowed at 4.3, they can break down against a rushing attack they could not figure out last season.

If the Cardinals stop Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson, they can force the Rams into passing situations early and often. And with an erratic Matthew Stafford at the helm for the first two weeks of the season, it could play into the Cardinals hands.

Matchup #2 – Short Passing game vs. Rams defense

While the Rams pass rush hasn’t been great, they have one of the league’s best in Aaron Donald. To counter Donald, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray needs to get rid of the ball early and often. this will require short passes out of the backfield, and to the likes of receiver Greg Dortch or tight end Zach Ertz.

Once the Rams creep up to stop the short passing game, Murray can roll out to further counter Donald and go deep to targets like Marquise Brown and A.J. Green. This will allow the Cardinals to keep a Rams defense that has allowed an average of 29 points per game through two weeks on its heels.

Matchup #3 – Cardinals secondary vs. Matthew Stafford

The Arizona Cardinals secondary eventually held Davante Adams and Darren Waller in check, forcing quarterback Derek Carr into making volatile decisions with the football. This week, the Cardinals face Stafford, who has five interceptions on the season.

Stafford’s shoulder issues were supposedly not going to affect his game, but he has yet to show otherwise. The Cardinals secondary, even if they are still shorthanded, could be rather effective against Stafford and his solid group of pass catchers.

They will face the likes of Cooper Kupp and tight end Tyler Higbee. However, now that the Cardinals proved they can shut down one dangerous passing game, they can shut down the Rams if Stafford continues to struggle. If the secondary plays well for the second straight week, the Cardinals chances will increase dramatically.