For the first time since September 2022, the Los Angeles Rams win two straight.
In Sunday’s NFC West game, the Los Angeles Rams defense put down the binoculars and clipped the wings of the Arizona Cardinals 37-14 after bird watching a high-flying first drive. The Rams improved their record to 5-6 with their second straight victory.
On that opening drive, the Cards gained 75 yards, and a two-point conversion put them ahead 8–7. After that, until they cleared the bench in the middle of the fourth quarter, the Rams defense allowed just 55 yards in total over 32 plays. Five three and outs, four quarterback sacks, and seven consecutive drives that resulted in a Cardinals touchdown were examples of the team’s dominance.
The defensive drive chart can tell us the following things.
Drive #1
Fans are accustomed to drives like this one from the Cardinals. Wide open receivers underneath and missed tackles punctuated the 12-play, 75-yard drive. Running back James Conner broke an arm tackle by edge (E) Michael Hoecht at the line of scrimmage after defensive tackle (DT) Aaron Donald broke through and blew up the play on the drive’s third play. It should have been a five-yard loss, but it was only a four-yard gain in the end.
Two plays later, wide receiver Marquise Brown gained seven more yards after cornerback (CB) Ahkello Witherspoon missed a tackle after being beaten on a drag pattern underneath. As he tiptoed up the sideline, it could have been much more, but the stripe was hardly compromised, limiting the gain to 17. The Cards’ tight end (TE) received a short pass on the very next play, and he bullied CB Derion Kendrick to convert it into a 12-yard pick-up.
Arizona ran a sweep in the red zone that the Rams executed well, causing RB Conner to retreat. The run gained twelve yards after DT Kobie Turner missed a slightly farther downfield block and E Byron Young slid off a backside tackle that would have kept it to a short gain. After a few plays, Cards successfully completed the set. Rams 7, Cardinals 8.
Drive #2
Three to go. The Rams only rushed three yards on the opening play, which forced quarterback (QB) Kyler Murray to misfire underneath. Play two features strong pressure on Murray and a wide pass up the sideline that is intercepted by CB Witherspoon, who is in sticky coverage. Play three was a partial checkdown during which safety Russ Yeast (S) hit the tight end hard to stifle the drive. Rams 7, Cardinals 8.
Drive #3
Three to go. QB Murray tosses a deep downfield lollipop, S When the Cards wide receiver contested the pass, Jordan Fuller made a nice strip. Not quite done. RB Conner breaks tackles for a few yards. DT Kobie Turner clubs the center aside on third and long, getting a sack straight up the gut. Cardinals 8, Rams 14.
Drive #4
Arizona has excellent field position at their own 40 following a missed Rams field goal. At the iwo minute warning, fourth down was reached around midfield after two runs for little gain were sandwiched around a brief pass completion. To keep the runs low, DTs Bobby Brown and Desjuan Johnson both used effective stack-and-shed strategies. S Fuller broke swiftly downhill and to the sideline on fourth down to snuff out a short pass and turn the ball over. Cardinals 8, L.A. Rams 14.
Drive #5
With 59 seconds remaining in the half, Arizona commits a three-and-out. QB Murray starts the game with a five-yard completion underneath before making a bad throw when under duress. Murray takes a deep run down the sideline on third down, but CB Witherspoon has the wide receiver covered in trail position and blocks the ball at the point of action. Rams 21, Cardinals 8.
Drive #6
After a Rams interception, the Cards get the ball again at midfield in the first half. Arizona attempts a 56-yard field goal at the gun after running the ball conservatively twice for 14 yards following an incompletion underneath. It’s good, but the half is over because of a holding penalty. Rams 21, Cardinals 8.
Drive #7
An insane drive. Arizona successfully converts a fake punt for a new set of downs after the Rams appear to force a three and out. The Cards commit three penalties in the next five plays, resulting in third and 37. The play ended well short of the first down when QB Murray threw off his back foot into a soft deep zone, requiring the wide receiver to come back for it even though he completed the pass for 20 yards thanks to strong coverage that held up. Rams 21, Cardinals 8.
Drive #8
Arizona is forced to the air following a field goal by the Rams. QB Murray throws six passes, of which four are completed, and one is ruled void due to a penalty. They were all of the short variety, keeping the pass rush pressure low and beneath the Los Angeles zone. After the catch, the Cards did gain some yards, but on third and long S Jordan Fuller completely read the quarterback before breaking on a short pass to stymie the drive. An attempt at a 56-yard field goal went wide. Cardinals 8, Rams 24.
Drive #9
To begin the fourth quarter, a three-pointer and out. DT Kobie Turner splits the guard and tackle before bursting through for a sack. Initially, linebacker Christian Rozeboom makes a nice open-field tackle on a checkdown pass. Afterward, pressure forces another short pass that is high and incomplete (CB Witherspoon gives the receiver a thump). Rams 31, Cardinals 8.
Drive #10
Arizona marches 75 yards for the score as the Rams clear the bench. CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson had tight coverage on both of the completions he allowed, one of which was for the score. Cardinals 14, Rams 37.
Drive #11
One more drive to pad statistics in opposition to backups. The Rams’ ability to apply sufficient pressure to force QB Murray and the Cardinals to work underneath the ball despite having four backup quarterbacks was the only noteworthy aspect of the game. Rams triumph 37–14.
This week, nothing but praises
The Rams defensive line did a fantastic job of maintaining the integrity of the cup while forcing the pocket straight back. Due to his size, quarterback Kyler Murray prefers to run to the sideline and get outside where he has a better view of the field. He’s never been good at changing lanes in traffic, so you have to be careful not to get your edges pinned in order to stop him. L.A. performed admirably in it. In the first half, I saw Aaron Donald in a number of plays as a spy.
The Cards continued their short passing game with Murray confined to the pocket. In response, the Rams used man coverage, a very aggressive matchup zone, and a physically unconventional approach. Arizona never really did anything to try to force the Rams to adopt a different look; instead, they seemed content to stick to the game plan. They abandoned the run game after the first drive and only recorded 15 carries overall. Murray was limited to a single carry.
Seeing a strong defensive line rotation was encouraging, and they all performed admirably. By lining up in BOSS (big on one side) formations to draw multiple blockers and scout the Arizona quarterback, Aaron Donald looked to be playing a supporting role. He read Kyler Murray at least twice when he spied from behind the rush and broke through for the knockdown. With two sacks, Kobie Turner had yet another strong performance, and Bobby Brown, who didn’t play many snaps, appeared more aggressive than in the past.
The children also put on a show. Early on, Desjaun Johnson played a few key snaps before being tackled. Ochaun Mathis nearly went with him, but quarterback Murray moved beneath him.
The coverage was aggressive and sticky, as described earlier. Some excellent hitting. When it came to timing passes and breaking the ball, Jordan Fuller excelled. Fans may cringe when Ahkello Witherspoon plays that trail position, but he has the length and speed to pull it off. His past injuries have not been a problem, making him a reliable veteran pick.
Jason Taylor, a youthful member of the secondary, returned from the Injured Reserve List to play 25 defensive and 21 special teams snaps. Even though it seemed like Hodges-Tomlinson was struggling, he was incredibly sticky in coverage and had a solid position for every challenge. THT maintained contact with Marquise Brown despite the deep pass being well underthrown; it was a professional’s push off and catch. The same on the touchdown; excellent position and battle, only defeated by an incredible one-handed grab. He will need to gain experience navigating situations like those where a collision would have resulted in a no-call by playing. The way he responded to the ball, grabbed it, and raced towards the goal line impressed me more.
Another test of wills is scheduled for next week. Even with a severely crippled offense, the Cleveland Browns will play a tough brand of football and won’t let the Rams offense get much beyond the bare minimum. The Rams can score enough points to record their third straight victory if the Los Angeles defense can match the physicality of the Brownies and perhaps even force a turnover or produce a couple of big plays.
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