LOS ANGELES RAMS (1-1) VS. ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-1)
THIS WEEK’S PREVIEW
Both teams coming off their first victory of the season in Week 2, the Cardinals and Rams meet this week in the first divisional matchup for the two top seeds in the NFC West in 2021. The Cardinals and Rams went about their Week 2 wins in entirely different ways. Arizona trailed 20-0 at halftime in Las Vegas before a historic comeback led to a walk-off 29-23 win in overtime. In its game vs. Atlanta, Los Angeles held a 21-3 lead at halftime that swelled to 28-3 early in the third quarter. But the Rams were forced to fend off a Falcons comeback that cut L.A.’s lead to 31-25 late in the fourth quarter.
Now the two teams who were mired in a season-long battle for the NFC West crown in 2021 face off for a chance at the top spot in the division early in the 2022 campaign.
After largely shuƫting down Raiders All-Pro WR Davante Adams last week (2 receptions for 12 yards on 7 targets), the Cardinals secondary faces another challenge this week in 2021 triple crown winner WR Cooper Kupp. After leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs last season, Kupp has 24 catches for 236 yards and three TDs through two games in 2022. Following their red-hot finish to last week’s game in which they scored 29 points in the second half/OT, the Cardinals will look to start fast against a Rams defense that has allowed just 13 total first half points so far this season. One key to Sunday’s game will be turnovers, or a lack thereof. The Rams defense already has an NFL-high seven takeaways this season, but now faces a Cardinals team that – under head coach Kliff Kingsbury – has done an excellent job of protecting the ball (just 55 turnovers in 51 games). Arizona has just one turnover so far this season, tied for the fewest in the NFL. Next week the Cardinals embark on their longest road trip of the regular season when they travel to Carolina to face the Panthers. Los Angeles will have an extra day off when they travel to San Francisco for a Monday night showdown with the 49ers.
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
For the third consecutive game to open the 2022 season, the Cardinals face a 2021 playoff team when they host the defending Super Bowl Champion Rams at State Farm Stadium.
This week marks the beginning of a crucial two-month stretch for both the Cardinals and Rams, who will face off again in Week 10. The teams will each play four of their six regular season games vs. NFC West opponents in the next eight weeks.
The Cardinals won last week’s game against the Raiders after trailing 20-0 at halftime. The game marked just the fight time in franchise history – and first time since 1999 – Arizona overcame a deficit of 20+ points to win a game. It was also the largest lead ever surrendered by the Raiders.
In guiding the Cardinals to their comeback, QB Kyler Murray became the first player in NFL history to have a passing TD, rushing TD, a two-point conversion pass and a two-point conversion run in the same game.
Second-year LB Zaven Collins made his eighth career start last Sunday and finished with career highs in tackles (8) and solo tackles (5) while also adding his first career forced fumble.
During his first four seasons (2018-21) in the NFL, WR Greg Dortch spent time with five teams, was released six times and had just three receptions for 15 yards. Through two games in 2022, Dortch leads the team in both receptions (11) and receiving yards (118), has scored his first NFL TD and has 20 yards on three punt returns.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN WEEK 3
WITH A WIN THIS WEEK…
Arizona would earn its first home win vs. the Rams since 2014.
The Cardinals would improve to 5-2 vs. division opponents since last season.
MILESTONES WITHIN REACH
QB Kyler Murray
With a passer rating of 120.0+, Murray would have 10 such performances in his career. That would Ɵ e Neil Lomax (10 times in 108 games) for the most games with a passer rating of 120.0+ in franchise history.
With 300+ passing yards, Murray would have 12 career 300-yard performances. Just 49 games into his career, that would Ɵ e for the fifth-best total in franchise history.
RB James Conner
With two TDs (of any kind), Conner would have multiple TDs in all three regular season games vs. the Rams since joining the Cardinals last season.
With two rushing TDs, Conner would have 18 rushing TDs in 18 regular season games with the Cardinals. In NFL history, only Jim Brown (23 w/ Browns), Eric Dickerson (19 w/ Rams) and Bill Paschal (19 w/ Giants) would have more in their first 19 games with a team.
TE Zach Ertz
With five receptions, Ertz would reach 650 receptions for his career. At 31 years, 319 days old on Sunday he would become the third-youngest TE in NFL history to reach the milestone behind only Jason Witten (29 years, 170 days) and Tony Gonzalez (30 years, 195 days).
DL J.J. Watt
With a sack, Watt would have 3.0 sacks in his last four regular season games played. It would also give him 4.0 career sacks of Rams QB Matthew Stafford.
With 2.0 sacks, Watt would have 4.0 sacks in his last four regular season games played.
RB Darrel Williams
With a TD (of any kind), Williams would have a TD in back-to-back games for just the second Ɵ me in his career (Games 11-12 in 2019).
With a rushing TD, Williams would have a rushing TD in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.
K Matt Prater
With seven points, Prater would join Robbie Gould (1,843) and Mason Crosby (1,816) as the only active players with 1,600+ career points.
