The shorthanded Los Angeles Rams are in Arizona this weekend for a Week 2 matchup with the Cardinals, who are also 0-1 to start the year. Despite the Cardinals losing their opener, this isn't the same team that has lost to the Rams in 13 of their last 15 meetings, so Los Angeles will need to be careful not to overlook Jonathan Gannon's squad.
To preview Sunday's game, we chatted with Cards Wire editor Jess Root. He shed some light on the Cardinals' improvements from last year, the lack of involvement from Marvin Harrison Jr. last week and a couple of underrated players Rams fans should know.
1. Is this Cardinals team better than last year’s? And if so, in what way?
Root: Well, since they have a healthy Kyler Murray at the start of the season, yes. If you compare them to the end of last season, you hope so. The offense should be good because they were a top-10 efficient team over the last half of the season all while getting almost nothing from their receivers. Adding Marvin Harrison Jr. and having Michael Wilson enter Year 2, they should be better on the outside.
Defensively, they have healthy linebackers and the defensive line has legitimate NFL starters now. Last year in the second half of the year, they were starting guys who would have been back-of-the-roster guys anywhere else. The defense should bet somewhere between not awful and not good.
2. What went wrong last week in the Cardinals’ blown lead against Buffalo?
Root: Ultimately, they had no answer for Josh Allen. They limited James Cook in the running game and TE Dalton Kincaid was a non-factor, but every time that the Bills needed Allen to do something, he did it. That's how he ended up with two touchdown passes and a pair of rushing TDs. And then, they couldn't move the ball well with the defensive adjustments Buffalo made. Even still, they had the ball in Buffalo territory with a chance to win at the end.
3. Who’s one underrated player Rams fans should know?
Root: Watch for slot receiver Greg Dortch. He was the most-targeted receiver in the game and Kyler Murray loves him. He is great in space.
Defensively, new linebacker Mack Wilson was super productive, playing inside backer and off the edge.
4. Why was Marvin Harrison Jr. not involved much last week?
Root: That is the big question. Part of it was because Buffalo bracketed him with a safety for much of the game. But the game plan started with the running game. They only targeted their outside receivers five times the entire game.
5. Who wins on Sunday and why?
Root: I believe in the Cardinals team. The Rams are so banged up but will struggle up front with the run game. Kyren Williams was a monster last season against the Cardinals, but I'm giving them a little extra juice for their home opener. Tough, close, physical game. Cardinals 24, Rams 20
