ABOUT THE RAMS (1-2): Nick Foles, acquired in an offseason trade for fellow quarterback Sam Bradford, has tossed only one interception but has only two scoring passes for St. Louis, which ranks last in the National Football League in total yards per game (274.3).
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Arizona has the combination of weapons and veteran savvy on offense to effectively move the football against St. Louis’ stout defense. “You never want them to feel not a part of it”.
The Rams defense has been as good as they have been forecasted to be in three of St. Louis’ games, but were decimated on the ground by the Redskins in their poor performance. However, they finally managed to complete their fightback after failing three times already this season.
For Arizona, the inactives are QB Matt Barkley, WR J.J. Nelson, RB Andre Ellington, LB Shaq Riddick, G/C Ted Larsen, OT D.J. Humprhies, and DT Xaxier Williams. Avoid the return touchdowns.
NFC West rivals clash in Arizona today when the Rams visit the Cardinals at 4:25PM ET.
The Odds: The Cardinals are a 7 point favorite against the Rams.
In season’s past the excuse was an obvious one. The question will be if they can stop the Cardinals passing attack led by Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer.
Cardinals S Deone Bucannon: A hybrid defender who plays in the box as a linebacker and also flips his hips to run with backs and tight ends, his versatility is a major factor in Arizona’s thriving secondary. The four other teams that stood at 3-0 versus the closing number – Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Denver, Atlanta and Green Bay – averaged beating the spread by five points per game. After getting their season started with an impressive win over the Minnesota Vikings, there was a sense of optimism in the 49ers camp.
Arizona coach Bruce Arians indicated that Chris Johnson will start the game even if Ellington suits up. “I won’t shy away from that”.
But Ellington said he is confident in his cuts as well as his readiness to play.
His role isn’t likely to change despite the Cardinals having three options in the backfield.
“He takes the ball where he’s supposed to go”.
Ellington said he will wear a brace on the knee and that he expects to play against the Rams. “That’s why the numbers and targets are dispersed”, Fisher said. The Cardinals have scored 95 points combined in the last two weeks. They run well and they tackle.
If you’re wondering how St. Louis managed to accumulate so much talent on defense, it’s because it has largely ignored the offense.
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“Easier said than done” is one of the more flippant idioms in the English language, if only because it discounts any inherit urgency in the given activity. We didn’t draft him to win the opener.
