Heading into Week 14, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves in a much better spot than they were just a week ago. After a tough cross-country trip and a rare 10 a.m.
Pacific kickoff against the Carolina Panthers on a holiday weekend, the Rams came up short in a 31-28 loss. The circumstances made the upset feel somewhat understandable, but it still raised eyebrows-especially considering the Rams had just climbed into the top seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Now, with that wake-up call in the rearview mirror, Sean McVay’s squad heads to Arizona with a renewed sense of urgency. And if there’s ever a time to lock back in, it’s now.
The Rams are facing a last-place Cardinals team that’s dropped four straight and hasn’t looked competitive in recent divisional matchups. This is the kind of game where a playoff-caliber team needs to flex its muscle-and the Rams have the firepower to do just that.
Arizona’s Struggles Continue
The Cardinals are sitting at 3-9, and their recent slide includes blowout losses to both the Seahawks and 49ers. Jacoby Brissett has taken over under center, and while he’s one of the more dependable backup QBs in the league, he’s walking into a tough matchup. Arizona’s offense has been inconsistent, and its defense-ranked 25th in the league and giving up 25.6 points per game-isn’t doing much to keep things close.
Brissett’s numbers are respectable: 204 completions on 302 attempts for 2,188 yards, with a 13-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s seen just about every kind of defense the NFL can throw at a quarterback, but Arizona’s lack of a reliable ground game puts even more pressure on him to carry the offense. No Cardinals running back has cracked 255 rushing yards this season-a stat that speaks volumes about their offensive imbalance.
Tight end Trey McBride has been a bright spot, emerging as a legitimate threat with 88 catches for 879 yards and 8 touchdowns. He’s been Brissett’s go-to guy.
Rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. has shown flashes, pulling in 40 catches for 594 yards and 4 scores, but a lingering heel injury has limited his impact. The talent is there, but the consistency isn’t-at least not yet.
Stafford and the Rams Looking to Rebound
For the Rams, Week 13 was a rare off day for Matthew Stafford. The veteran quarterback came into the game against Carolina with just two interceptions all season.
He doubled that total in one afternoon. Still, Stafford’s overall performance wasn’t disastrous-18-of-28 passing for 243 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 picks-but by his standards, it was a misstep.
And those standards are high for a reason. Stafford’s season-long numbers are elite: 266 completions on 401 attempts for 3,073 yards and a dazzling 32-4 TD-to-INT ratio. He’s been the engine of this offense, and he’ll be looking to get back on track against a Cardinals defense that’s struggled to stop much of anything.
One of Stafford’s biggest weapons this year has been Puka Nacua. The second-year wideout has emerged as one of the most physical receivers in the league, hauling in 86 catches on 107 targets for 1,019 yards and 4 touchdowns. His chemistry with Stafford is undeniable, and he’s become the go-to guy in critical moments.
Veteran wideout Davante Adams has also found a strong rhythm in this offense, though he’s currently nursing a hamstring injury and didn’t practice on Wednesday. Even so, his 52 receptions, 89 yards, and eye-popping 14 touchdown grabs speak to how dangerous he’s been in the red zone.
The Rams have also gotten meaningful contributions from their tight end group. Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee have combined for 43 catches, 381 yards, and 5 touchdowns, giving Stafford dependable options over the middle.
Ground Game Keeps the Offense Balanced
Kyren Williams has quietly been one of the most consistent backs in the league this year. He’s rushed for 868 yards on 4.7 yards per carry and scored 7 touchdowns-numbers that speak to both his vision and toughness. He’s not flashy, but he’s effective, and that’s exactly what this Rams offense needs to stay balanced.
Behind him, rookie Blake Corum has chipped in 422 rushing yards, also averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. Together, they give L.A. a one-two punch that can wear down defenses-especially one as vulnerable as Arizona’s.
Defense Ready to Feast
On the other side of the ball, the Rams defense is built to cause problems for a quarterback like Brissett. Linebacker Byron Young has been a force off the edge, racking up 10 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. His ability to disrupt plays before they develop is a game-changer.
Jared Verse has added 6 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles, giving the Rams another dangerous presence in the front seven. This duo has the potential to collapse the pocket and make life miserable for Brissett.
In the secondary, Emmanuel Forbes has been a playmaker. He’s broken up 13 passes, picked off 3, and forced a fumble-all while racking up 29 tackles. Safety Quentin Lake has also been a steady presence on the back end with 61 tackles, 10 passes defensed, an interception, a forced fumble, and a recovery.
What to Expect on Sunday
This is a matchup that heavily favors the Rams in every phase. Offensively, they have the weapons to score early and often.
Defensively, they have the pass rush and secondary to limit Arizona’s already struggling offense. If the Rams come out with focus and execution, they could build a double-digit lead by halftime and never look back.
The Cardinals may have a few playmakers, but the Rams have the depth, talent, and playoff motivation to take care of business. Expect Los Angeles to control this one from start to finish-and use it as a statement win to reassert their place among the NFC’s elite.