ARIZONA CARDINALS

Behind Enemy Lines: Rams visit Cardinals after back-to-back losses

Dec 21, 2018, 3:51 PM | Updated: 3:54 pm

Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Los Ange...

Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

It’s been an unpredictable NFL season this year.

Just when the Los Angeles Rams were ensuring the NFC playoffs would have to go through the Memorial Coliseum, back-to-back losses to the Bears in Chicago and Eagles at home have not only dropped the Rams to the No. 2 seed in the NFC, but has also led to questions of if the team can be as dominant going forward as shown earlier this season.

The back-to-back losses are the first of their kind under the Sean McVay era. Quarterback Jared Goff has also thrown more interceptions in the last three games (seven) than he did in the entirety of the first 11 games of this season (six).

The recent lack of production isn’t the only problem the Rams are facing, as the injury bug has bit arguably its best offensive weapon, running back Todd Gurley. The league’s leading touchdown rusher has been listed as day-to-day, as they make the trip to State Farm Stadium for a Week 16 divisional matchup.

To get to know the Rams heading into the visit to Arizona, let’s go Behind Enemy Lines.


Friday, December 21

• C.J. Anderson could start for Rams if Todd Gurley sits vs. Cardinals (Rams Wire)

When the Los Angeles Rams waived Pharoh Cooper this week, it seemed like a puzzling move. After they signed C.J. Anderson to take his place, many began to wonder what it meant for Todd Gurley’s health ahead of Week 16.

The Rams knew exactly what they were doing by signing Anderson, given the statuses of Gurley and his immediate backup, Justin Davis. Both are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, opening the door for Anderson to potentially get the start.

• Rams’ 3 biggest concerns against the Cardinals in Week 16 (Rams Wire)

Coming off two straight losses and seeing the No. 1 seed slip through their grasp, the Los Angeles Rams are motivated heading into Week 16. They’ll face a disappointing Arizona Cardinals team that owns the worst record in football at 3-11.

So there’s nothing for L.A. to worry about, right? This is a very favorable matchup, but it’s not a guaranteed victory. Just last week, we saw the Rams stumble against a depleted Eagles team at home.

• Sean McVay knows exactly what Rams have to fix: ‘It’s a simple solution’ (Rams Wire)

After their last two games, both losses, many have been left wondering what has happened to the Los Angeles Rams. They’re 1-2 since their Week 12 bye, have only scored 30 points once and Jared Goff has one touchdown, six interceptions and four fumbles in that span.

The wheels haven’t completely fallen off like some are insinuating they have, but it’s impossible to deny the fact that the offense looks far different than it did in the first 11 weeks of the season.

So how do they right the ship and turn things around before the playoffs? According to Sean McVay, it’s a simple solution: turn it over less and score after taking it away.

• The answer is simple: Rams must sit ailing Todd Gurley until the playoffs (Los Angeles Times)

In one breath Thursday, Gurley said: “I plan to go on Sunday, we’ll just see from there.’’

Yet in the next breath, he acknowledged he did not plan on practicing this week, and when asked if he could play if the game was being held immediately, he said, “Today? That’s a tough question. I haven’t tried to run so, yeah, that’s a tough question.’’

He hasn’t even tried to run yet? And it’s already Thursday? Here’s an easy answer to that tough question.

Don’t run. Don’t play. Not this week. Not next week. Shut him down until the playoffs.

• Rams unsure of Todd Gurley’s status for Week 16 vs. Cardinals (ESPN)

Todd Gurley will be a game-time decision when the Los Angeles Rams play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, coach Sean McVay said Friday.

Gurley is listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report because of inflammation in his left knee. He has not practiced throughout the week.


Thursday, December 20

Rams feeling ‘increased sense of urgency’ after 2 straight losses (Rams Wire)

For the first time in two years under Sean McVay, the Los Angeles Rams have lost consecutive regular-season games. They’ve dropped two straight to the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, going from 11-1 to 11-3 in the blink of an eye.

All is not lost, of course, with the No. 2 seed still firmly in the Rams’ grasp, but their chances of getting home-field advantage don’t look great. With a one-game lead over the Bears for the second seed, the Rams need a win on Sunday against the lowly 3-11 Cardinals.

Sean McVay explains Pharoh Cooper’s release, possible replacements (Rams Wire)

Pharoh Cooper was a Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro kick returner and a second-team All-Pro on punt returns last year. He was arguably the best return specialist in the NFL and a huge part of the Rams’ outstanding special teams unit.

On Tuesday, he was unexpectedly waived by the Rams.

Rams among league leaders in pass-block, pass rush win rate (Rams Wire)

ESPN created new metrics this season called pass-rush and pass-block win rate. Essentially, it measures how often a pass rusher or offensive lineman wins his battle against the guy across from him by either holding a block for 2.5-plus seconds or beating a block in under 2.5 seconds.

The Rams don’t have any representatives in the OLB/DE category, but to no one’s surprise, Donald is at the top of the list for defensive tackles. he has a win rate of 42 percent, which is substantially higher than the next-closest player, Chris Jones (35 percent). Strangely enough, Robert Quinn is No. 1 among edge rushers at 40 percent.

On the offensive side of the ball, Andrew Whitworth is first among tackles with a win rate of 92 percent. Right tackle Rob Havenstein isn’t far behind at 87 percent, good for 10th in the NFL. At guard, Austin Blythe doesn’t make the list, but Rodger Saffold – a Pro Bowl snub – is third with a win rate of 88 percent.


Wednesday, December 19

New addition C.J. Anderson thinks he can keep Rams in running with Todd Gurley nursing a knee injury (Los Angeles Times)

The Super Bowl ring that C.J. Anderson won with the Denver Broncos could not be flashed around the locker room this season while he played for the Carolina Panthers.

Anderson was the Broncos’ starting running back in Super Bowl 50, when they defeated the Panthers to end the 2015 season.

But Anderson is looking forward to possibly breaking out the bling for new Rams teammates to see — and imparting his Super Bowl experience.

Making the Pro Bowl marks a long journey for Cory Littleton, but if all goes right he’ll be playing in a different bowl (Los Angeles Times)

Three years after signing with the Rams as an undrafted free agent, Cory Littleton is headed to the Pro Bowl for the first time.

Or, maybe not.

Players participating in the Feb. 3 Super Bowl in Atlanta bypass the Jan. 27 Pro Bowl exhibition in Orlando, Fla.

So while Littleton was honored to be voted in, he would be fine sending an RSVP with regrets.

“Hopefully,” he said Wednesday, “I don’t have to play in that game, and we actually get to the Super Bowl.”

Rams’ blockbuster offseason hasn’t paid dividends in 2018 (Rams Wire)

The Los Angeles Rams were the talk of the offseason. After an 11-5 campaign and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2004, Los Angeles was one of the fastest risers in the NFL.

Already looking like Super Bowl contenders, the Rams went out and completely revamped their defense. They traded for Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, dealt away Alec Ogletree and Robert Quinn and let Connor Barwin walk in free agency. To top it all off, they signed the biggest fish in the free agency pond, Ndamukong Suh, to a one-year, $14 million deal.

Tuesday, December 18


Rams’ offense slow to adapt without injured receiver Cooper Kupp (ESPN)

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Goff had completed 77 percent of his attempts to Kupp for six touchdowns and no interceptions this season prior to his injury. Goff has completed 52 percent of his attempts to Reynolds for three touchdowns and four interceptions.

“Cooper is a great player, and anytime you lose a great player, it’s tough to replace — he’s no different,” Goff said. “But, at the same time, Josh is a great player as well and has stepped in and has done a great job. I have full confidence in Josh as well as every other receiver.”

Goff’s completion percentage has dropped from 70.5 percent with Kupp to 59 percent in his absence. His yards per attempt dipped from 9.9 to 7 and his touchdown-to-interception ratio has moved from 16-5 to 11-8.

But it hasn’t been just Goff who has suffered from Kupp’s absence. The entire offense has felt the effects. In 420 plays this season with Kupp, the Rams’ third-down percentage was 47.1. In the 497 plays without him, it’s down to 38.5.

Marcus Peters was ‘just making a little bit of fun’ with heckling fan (Rams Wire)

Marcus Peters has never been shy about saying how he feels. Whether it’s on the field or in his sessions with the media, Peters never minces words. That was evident during Sunday’s loss to the Eagles when Peters got into it with a fan in the stands.

The heckler was sitting behind the Rams’ bench, instigating Peters until he walked over to the barrier. Peters yelled at the fan in an expletive-filled confrontation before appearing to head back to the bench.

Rams RB Todd Gurley day-to-day with inflammation in knee (ESPN)

Gurley was sidelined for a series in the third quarter of Sunday night’s 30-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

After the game, Gurley said, “I returned, so I was fine.” He rushed for 48 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries and caught 10 passes for 76 yards.

The Rams (11-3) have clinched the NFC West, but have two regular-season games remaining against the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers.

Despite a secured playoff berth, McVay said the final two games remained important and that he would prefer that Gurley play, if he was available.

“If he’s able to go, we want him to be able to go,” McVay said. “But if it’s something that whether you’re playing for the playoffs or whether you’re not, we’re always going to be smart with a player like Todd.”

Gurley ranks second in the NFL with 89.4 rushing yards per game and has scored a league-high 21 touchdowns.

After another loss, Rams appear out of sync and headed in the wrong direction (ESPN)

It was their first loss at home this season, and the first time in Sean McVay’s two seasons as coach that the Rams (11-3) have dropped back-to-back games. They previously were the only team in the league to not lose back-to-back the last two seasons.

“These last couple weeks we’re doing things that are totally uncharacteristic of what good football teams do,” McVay said after the game. “Everybody has a hand in this.”

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