the press & others on the 1st ARIZONA game

Rams get right in Arizona, defeating Cardinals 38-28 https://t.co/XEqvys9JMp

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 7, 2020

A win over the Cardinals, coupled with a Seahawks loss to the Giants, means a third division title in four seasons is well within reach for the Rams. https://t.co/UKC3NYckDZ

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) December 7, 2020

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Cooper Kupp was open downfield for a TD, and Goff even was able to step up in the pocket. Goes to Higbee instead earlier in the progression for the short game. Remember this when you guys ask me about explosive plays downfield.

𝒥𝒾𝓂 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉@Jim_Everett
JR, not an issue. Throw was correct. Watch it…Coop opens up after/during throw.

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Yeah this is one I’m gonna want to go back and look at. I initially thought he could have held it a half-second longer to go into the explosive but am fine being wrong about it hahah.

from https://theathletic.com/news/rams-cardinals-nfc-west/yL5UTpbJ7yFj

State of the Rams in the NFC West

Jourdan Rodrigue, Rams beat writer: Sure, the Rams currently sit in first place in the NFC West (because they own the current tiebreaker with Seattle). But it’s probably best to think of it from head coach Sean McVay’s point of view: “That means absolutely nothing because we got four games left. … I mean, it’s great to be able to see that, but if you don’t handle your business this Thursday (against the New England Patriots), and then the following games after that, it’s all for nothing.” The Rams still have to play both Arizona and Seattle again.

How the Rams slowed Kyler Murray

Rodrigue: The Rams needed their defensive line to step up and contain any threat of the run from Murray, and did a pretty good job in sealing their perimeters and getting their linebackers in place behind them. The defensive line also got big and put their arms up and in throwing lanes, which made it tough for Murray to really look clearly downfield. Aaron Donald notched his 11th sack of the season while Sebastian Joseph-Day batted down a pass and Greg Gaines recovered a fumble. Meanwhile, outside linebacker Justin Hollins had a strip-sack (Gaines recovered) and so the Rams were able to get a complement of inside-outside pressure to keep Murray uncomfortable. It also helped that the secondary covered pretty well throughout the game. Other than a coverage bust that led to a 59-yard touchdown, it was hard for Murray to throw the ball downfield through most of the game.

What do the Cardinals need to fix to make the playoffs?

Mike Sando, senior NFL writer: We tend to get caught up in the ebbs and flows of a season, but in the Cardinals’ case, they’re about where Vegas oddsmakers thought they’d be — in position to reach their 7.5 preseason win total if they can win half their remaining games. It won’t be easy against the Giants, Eagles, 49ers and Rams. One concern is that the fundamentals of football — blocking, tackling, sound schemes — aren’t necessarily strong points the team can emphasize to right itself following a three-game skid. This is a team built more on finesse and deception. Can those things carry Arizona to the postseason?

Ed Werder@WerderEdESPN
From NFL NEXT GEN STATS: #Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins averaged a season-low 4.0 yards per target on Sunday. #Rams CB Jalen Ramsey lined up across from Hopkins on 34 of his 40 routes, holding Hopkins to 36 yards and 6 catches on 11 targets (3.3 yds per target).

BTHRams@BTH_Rams
Jalen Ramsey is validating the cost of the trade for him.

Have to get more than just one regular season of it, but this is the caliber of play that’s worth two 1’s and a 4.

sosa K@QBsMVP
Random: Troy Reeder played a very solid game. He’s completely closed the gap between himself and Micah Kiser, and I think there’s a discussion to be had that he might be better than Kiser.

Patrick@roblespan
Jared Goff ties the great Roman Gabriel for #LARams record wins in a 4-year span.

Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
Rams QB Jared Goff says early in the year that RBs Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown were a step ahead of rookie Cam Akers in terms of understanding the offense, but adds that Akers is now “right there with them.”

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from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/lists/rams-cardinals-week-13-best-worst-players/

Goff was efficient and accurate, making several impressive throws into small windows. He also did a great job spreading the ball around to his cast of receivers, hitting nine different players with each of them gaining at least 20 yards receiving.

D.J. Humphries open about problems Rams defense caused the Cardinals offense. read story from @MasonKernMedia: https://t.co/wVYCqcyXVw

— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) December 7, 2020