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October 2, 2016 at 8:17 pm #54302
znModeratorAt 3-1 after win over Cardinals, Rams must be taken seriously
Alden Gonzalez
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Perhaps it’s time you take the Los Angeles Rams seriously.
They arrived at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday afternoon and came away with a 17-13 victory over a desperate team. The Rams are 3-1, in first place in the NFC West after having locked up victories against the Seattle Seahawks and, now, the Arizona Cardinals, the two teams widely expected to finish at the top of their division.
Thanks to a defense that forced five turnovers and a late drive that put them on top, the Rams beat a Cardinals team that had won four of the previous five matchups, claiming three of their first four games of the regular season for only the second time in the past 16 years.
Trailing 13-10 after giving away a multitude of chances to take control of the game on offense, the Rams finally got the spark they needed late. Aaron Donald and Eugene Sims combined for a sack of Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer with less than six minutes remaining, forcing Palmer to exit and the Cardinals to punt.
Tavon Austin, given a $42 million extension with the hope his production would increase, returned it 47 yards and gave the Rams the ball at the Cardinals’ 19-yard line after a face mask was assessed to Ifeanyi Momah. Todd Gurley then found a way to get a first down, catching a quick out and gaining the necessary extra yardage after barely avoiding going out of bounds. Two plays later, Brian Quick made a leaping grab in the end zone. It was his second touchdown of the game after giving the Rams their first score with a 65-yard catch in the first quarter — seven days after a 44-yard touchdown catch on the first drive in Tampa, Florida.
Drew Stanton filled in for Palmer on the next possession and Mark Barron came up with the interception that pretty much iced the game.
It was Barron’s second interception in as many games and the defense’s second on the afternoon. There was also a leaping catch in the end zone from Trumaine Johnson. And a fumble caused by backup defensive lineman Dominique Easley. And a sack-fumble caused by Donald. And another interception from T.J. McDonald with no time left, on a desperation throw from Stanton that clinched the third straight victory.
The Rams’ defense has carried the team over the past three games, but the offense has progressively played better, even while Gurley — 19 carries for only 33 yards in Week 4 — still waits to get going.
The Rams have gone 12-for-27 on third down over the past two games, after going 6-for-27 in the first two. Keenum lost a fumble and missed some throws he should’ve made, but nonetheless finished 18-of-30 for 266 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Say what you want about Keenum, say what you want about the Rams — they’re 3-1 through the season’s first quarter.
They’re worthy of your attention.
October 2, 2016 at 8:47 pm #54309znModeratorRams’ pressuring defense stifles Palmer, Cardinals
Chris Wesseling
1. After leading the NFL in several major categories last season, Arizona’s offense has begun this season in a malaise. Through four games, all 10 of Carson Palmer’s first-quarter drives have resulted in punts, putting the defense behind the eight-ball. Rather than using the run and the short passing game to set up downfield strikes, the Cardinals have been forcing the deep ball in inopportune situations. Although the overhauled offensive line has been shaky at times, there’s too much talent on this offense to remain stuck in the mud all season long. Coach Bruce Arians announced after the game that the team will be “very, very careful” with Palmer in the concussion protocol. On a short week, the veteran signal-caller’s status is in doubt for Thursday’s game at San Francisco.
2. Arizona’s offensive woes were due in no small part to a pressuring Rams defense led by Aaron Donald. The All Pro defensive tackle generated 1.5 sacks and four QB hits, teaming with Eugene Sims on a high-low takedown that knocked Palmer out of a 13-10 game late in the fourth quarter. Donald and Robert Quinn have been as disruptive as any tackle-end tandem in football this season, setting the tone for a swarming defense that has bounced back in a big way from an embarrassing 28-0 shellacking in the season opener.
3. The Cardinals made it a point to get John Brown involved after the speedy wideout’s role was deemphasized in September due to a concussion that sidelined him for the majority of training camp. Brown corralled 10 of a career-high 16 targets for 144 yards while Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd combined for eight catches and 98 yards on 14 targets. Unreliable at the point of the catch, Floyd has been as disappointing as any starting receiver this season. Look for Brown to remain a key cog in the aerial attack, perhaps even at Floyd’s expense.
4. Todd Gurley was stonewalled on the ground once again, lowering his per-carry average to 2.63 yards this season. It took four games, but the Rams finally decided to bypass the offensive line on occasion to highlight’s Gurley’s playmaking ability as a receiver. He contributed 49 yards on five receptions, including an impressive first-down conversion that set up Brian Quick’s game-winning touchdown.
5. Case Keenum plays like the youngest brother in a backyard with Tony Romo and Ryan Fitzpatrick. He shares the same penchant for keeping broken plays alive and bedeviling defenses with his feet even if his arm is barely NFL caliber. He hasn’t been a major liability since the Rams were shut out in a dismal Week 1 performance.
6. Returning from ACL surgery, Tyrann Mathieu has been outplayed thus far by fellow Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson who is off to a Pro Bowl start at the season’s quarter-pole. After staking its claim as one of league’s stingiest big-play secondaries last season, Arizona’s defensive backfield has struggled early this year. The cornerback spot opposite All Pro Patrick Peterson remains an Achilles’ heel, as Marcus Cooper was beaten twice by Brian Quick for difference-making plays.
7. It’s easy to see why the Cardinals elected to let Dwight Freeney walk in favor of second-year pass rusher Markus Golden. Borrowing Freeney’s trademark spin move, Golden took Keenum down for his fourth sack of the young season. He and bookend edge rusher Chandler Jones have totaled eight sacks this year — one apiece in each game.
8. Jeff Fisher needs a more astute replay advisor in his headset. The Rams challenged two separate plays that were clearly not catches, including one Brian Quick diving drop that hit the ground twice.
October 2, 2016 at 8:50 pm #54312znModeratorRams Win Thriller Over Cardinals, 17-13
Myles Simmons
GLENDALE, Ariz. — For the second year in a row, the Rams won a thrilling game in the desert, beating the Cardinals 17-13.
The Rams got on the board first in the game’s opening period with wide receiver Brian Quick’s second touchdown reception in two weeks. On 3rd-and-7 from the Los Angeles 35-yard line, quarterback Case Keenum had good time and fired a ball to Quick toward the right sideline. Quick snagged the ball in the air just out of the reach of Arizona cornerback Marcus Cooper, then made safety Tony Jefferson miss. From there, Quick had nothing but green grass in front of him as he raced down the sideline for a 65-yard touchdown.
For Quick, it’s the longest touchdown reception of his career. He recorded a 44-yard touchdown last week against the Buccaneers for his first TD of the year.
Following an Arizona field goal, the Rams extended their lead, moving down the field with a pair of explosive plays. L.A. got the drive started with a 23-yard pass from Keenum to Kendricks. Then on 3rd-and-7 from the visitors’ 46, wide receiver Kenny Britt slipped between two defenders and caught a 34-yard pass on the right side. Greg Zuerlein hit a 29-yard field goal to put the Rams ahead, 10-3.
Still in the second quarter, cornerback Trumaine Johnson ended a Cardinals threat With the Cardinals threatening in Los Angeles territory, cornerback Trumaine Johnson reversed the fortunes with a nice interception.
Matched up one-on-one with wide receiver John Brown, Palmer launched a pass to the deep right corner of the end zone. But Johnson never let Brown get far behind him and went up to get the ball at its highest point for his first interception of the season and the 16th of his career.
But Arizona scored on a two-minute drive to tie the game before halftime. Palmer led Cardinals down the field for an eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Michael Floyd securing a five-yard touchdown pass on the offense’s left side of the end zone. The score tied the game at 10.
The Rams’ first drive of the second half looked like it was in good shape when Keenum hit running back Todd Gurley on a wheel route to the right for a 33-yard gain on 3rd-and-7 from the L.A. 24. But on the next play, Arizona’s Chandler Jones got into the backfield and recorded a strop-sack on Keenum. Jones recovered the loose ball to give Arizona an extra possession.
But Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald would return the favor, recording a strip-sack of his own on Palmer to give the offense the ball back. Defensive end Eugene Sims pounced on the football at Los Angeles’ own 31-yard line.
While the offense looked like it had a little rhythm going on the possession, a holding penalty, a false start, and a Keenum sack left the Rams having to punt.
On the ensuing drive, Arizona went 72 yards in 12 plays to score a field goal. Cornerback E.J. Gaines — active for his first game since Week 16 of the 2014 season — broke up a pass on third down in the end zone, forcing the Cardinals to settle for a 21-yard field goal. The three points put Arizona ahead, 13-10.
In the fourth quarter, the Rams forced their third turnover, as defensive tackle Dominique Easley forced David Johnson to fumble at the Los Angeles 41-yard line. But the Rams could not capitalize on the turnover, as Arizona forced a punt following a 3rd-and-8 incomplete pass from the Arizona 44.
Donald and Sims combined to sack Palmer on 3rd-and-6 from the Arizona 30, creating a nine-yard loss. Wide receiver Tavon Austin broke loose down the right sideline for a huge 47-yard return. A facemask penalty on Arizona gave Los Angeles 15 more yards, setting the offense up at the home team’s 19-yard line.
Gurley made his presence felt on the drive with an eight-yard reception on 3rd-and-8. The running back stopped on a dime toward the sideline, then pushed the pile forward with his leg strength for a first down. After a five-yard Gurley run on 1st-and-goal from the Arizona nine, Keenum hit Quick for the wideout’s second touchdown of the day — this time on a fade in the end zone. With the extra point, Los Angeles went back on top, 17-13.
With Palmer being evaluated for a concussion, the Cardinals inserted backup quarterback Drew Stanton into the game. While Stanton was able to record a couple first downs, the quarterback threw an interception to weakside safety Mark Barron in the middle of the field for the Rams’ fourth takeaway of the day.
Though the Cardinals got the ball back, they could not score a touchdown as T.J. McDonald intercepted a hail mary to make Los Angeles 3-1 on the young season. The Rams will be back in action at home next week against the
October 2, 2016 at 10:24 pm #54327znModeratorfrom Snap Judgments: Falcons, Rams have statement wins
Don Banks
…
Rams, Cowboys, Texans steady at 3-1
The Rams are forcing me to change my mind about something that I’ve just taken for granted all these years. Namely that there is no such thing about winning “ugly,” not when you haven’t won much at all since 2003, and last made the playoffs (at .500) in 2004. In that case, it’s just called winning, and Los Angeles has the right to ignore or even scoff at all adjectives being attached to its results.
A 3-1 record says plenty about what the Rams are this season, and for a franchise that hasn’t started that well since 2006, squeaking out close victories like that 17-13 escape at Arizona is satisfaction enough. Style points be damned. The Cardinals (1-3) appear to have lost their identity, and home-field advantage, but the Rams appear to be comfortable with who they are these days. They can play some defense, lay some pads on you, and ultimately make a play or two on offense when it’s timed for maximum impact.
At 2-1 in the NFC West, with wins against division-favorites Seattle and Arizona, the Rams don’t have another division game until Week 15 at the Seahawks. Let’s see if they can hang around and stay relevant for two and a half months, then really make something special of their renaissance season in L.A.
October 2, 2016 at 10:54 pm #54328znModeratorRams capture another close one, hold off Cardinals to improve to 3-1
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bulletin-730854-cardinals-rams.html
GLENDALE, Ariz – . Of all the improbable moments of this young Rams season, it’s difficult to top owner Stan Kroenke, in a three-piece suit, chasing down cornerback Trumaine Johnson in the locker room.
“My man!” Johnson exclaimed when he turned around and saw a beaming billionaire striding toward him. The men hugged, shortly after the Rams earned a 17-13 upset victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon at University of Phoenix Stadium and improved to 3-1 for the first time since 2006.
“Ten years?” Johnson said, pre-embrace. “Well, we’re 3-1 now, and I’m happy about it, too.”
Who would have guessed? The Rams, at the one-quarter mark of the season, sit in first place in the NFC West and have victories over Arizona and Seattle, the preseason division co-favorites.
That dismal Sept. 12 season-opening loss to San Francisco seems like eons ago. The Rams have won three consecutive games behind an opportunistic defense and an offense that’s doing just enough to win.
Quarterback Case Keenum was average (18 of 30, 266 yards). Running back Todd Gurley was shut down again (33 yards on 19 carries). The offensive line committed a handful of bad penalties.
Yet there were the Rams, trailing 13-10, with the ball at the Arizona 19 with 5:09 remaining in the fourth quarter. Tavon Austin put them there, not with a catch but with a 47-yard punt return (plus a 15-yard face mask penalty on Arizona).
Five plays later, Keenum and receiver Brian Quick connected for their second touchdown of the game, a 4-yard pass with 2:36 remaining that gave the Rams their winning margin.
“I think good teams win the close games,” Keenum said. “If you go across the board, every week, I think most games, if not all of them, are one- or two-possession games. … You see, time and time again, that the good teams win those games. They find a way to do it.”
It doesn’t have to be beautiful. Since he took over as starter late last season, Keenum has a 6-2 record in his last eight starts but has yet to win a game by more than eight points. The Rams’ three victories this season have come by a total of 15 points.
Of course, the Rams needed their defense twice more after the go-ahead score, and it came through. Arizona had to turn to quarterback Drew Stanton after Quick’s touchdown, as Carson Palmer underwent concussion protocol, and the Rams intercepted Stanton twice in the final 90 seconds to clinch the victory.
The Rams defense did it again. They allowed only 13 points to a high-powered offense and had two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. In between, there was plenty of bend-don’t-break in the Rams defense, as the Cardinals totaled 420 yards but reached the end zone only once.
There’s a trend here. In the waning moments of the victory over Seattle, the Rams forced a fumble. Late in the Tampa Bay victory, the defense got a final-drive stop. Now they’re 3 for 3.
“That’s what we want,” said safety T.J. McDonald, who intercepted Stanton on the final play. “We want to be on the field to win the game. We’re glad to do it and I feel like we relish those big moments.”
For much of Sunday, the Rams slogged along. They had a big moment early, with Keenum’s first-quarter, 65-yard touchdown pass to Quick, followed by a lot of punts and penalties.
The Rams, once again, couldn’t get Gurley going, although he did have a big 8-yard reception for a first down that helped set up the winning touchdown. Gurley averaged 1.7 yards per rush and the Rams had only 41 rushing yards on 23 attempts (and 288 yards, total).
But they had defense. Early in the second quarter, Arizona drove to the Rams’ 7 but had to settle for a 25-yard field goal, which cut the Rams’ lead to 7-3. Late in the third quarter, Arizona drove to the Rams’ 4 but had to settle for a 21-yard field goal and a 13-10 lead.
Sure, the Cardinals rushed for 118 yards (David Johnson had 83) and Palmer threw for 288 yards before his injury, but limiting Arizona red-zone chances to field goals won the game for the Rams.
“We feel like if we play our game, we can play with anybody in the league,” linebacker Alec Ogletree said. “It took every man in this (locker) room.”
Now, in a highly improbable scenario, the Rams and their three-game win streak will prepare for the Buffalo Bills and their two-game win streak. That 2006 Rams team also started 4-1, then promptly lost five in a row. That’s looking down the line, though, something the Rams declined to do Sunday night.
“We’re just going to keep playing our game,” defensive tackle Aaron Donald said. “It doesn’t really matter what people think about us. We’re just going to keep playing together and staying together.”
October 2, 2016 at 10:58 pm #54329znModeratorIt’s Tavon Austin’s turn to produce game-turning play for Rams
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/rams-730876-austin-game.html
GLENDALE, Ariz – . As much lip as Tavon Austin gives his defensive teammates – and the quietest guy you’ll ever meet freely admits he’s the loudest guy in the stadium come game day – even he knew it was time to shut up and step up late in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
“Someone needs to make a play,” he thought to himself as he lined up to take a punt return with just more than five minutes left.
The crazy thing is, from the blockers in front of Austin to the teammates standing on the sideline, there was a feeling among the Rams that someone was about to get sprinkled with the pixie dust again.
Just as Alec Ogletree did two weeks ago against the Seahawks while forcing a fumble to preserve a Rams win, and just as Robert Quinn did seven days ago when he chased down Jameis Winston to save the day against the Buccaneers.
“We’re starting the get that feeling that someone, somehow, is going to make the play that needs to be made,” defensive tackle Michael Brockers said.
Austin was about to be that guy.
And you know what, if you’re being honest with yourself, you sensed something was about to happen too.
That is, when you weren’t screaming bloody murder wondering if they’d ever get out of their own way long enough to beat what’s turned out to be the very beatable Cardinals.
Just as you did the last three games, only for it to improbably all work out in the end.
Makes you wonder if something special is happening to the suddenly tough-minded and gritty Rams.
We can’t quite put a finger to it, but it’s fun and fascinating and absolutely surprising. And it’s pushed them to an improbable 3-1 start after Sunday’s 17-13 win over the Cardinals and a first-place tie in the NFC West and a growing sense of confidence within locker room.
“We’re starting to believe,” Austin said.
Maybe we all are.
It might not be pretty and it can be downright maddening watching them play offense, but they’re suddenly figuring out ways to win games they typically lost in years past.
In what’s becoming a bit of a theme to the Rams first season back in Los Angeles, they muddle around through long afternoons and sometimes force you to turn away in disgust at the lack of offensive imagination and the silly penalties and passes that miss the mark or catchable balls that fall to the ground.
You’ll cuss at them and throw your hands up in frustration. You’ll threaten to change the channel in anger or lose hope and give up.
But you don’t, because it’s becoming a thing now to – wait for it – stick it out to the very end with the Rams.
And witness some game-changing or game-saving play that rips victory from the jaws of defeat.
Like, say, the smallest guy on the team making the biggest play of the game to set the Rams up for the go-ahead touchdown and first place in the division.
And in the process, alter the way we look at the Rams and the way the Rams look at themselves.
“I feel when you win and you’re a 3-1 team, that will change the look of your team,” Rams linebacker Mark Barron said.
Amen to that.
With a tip of the hat to Austin.
As usual, the Rams defense was playing lights out against the high-powered Cardinals, building a near impenetrable wall at the goal line and battering Carson Palmer so viciously he eventually had to leave the game with a concussion.
The Rams offense, not so much.
Once again, they couldn’t get Todd Gurley going in the run game and while Keenum played admirably, it wasn’t reflected in points or production. With Gurley getting stonewalled again, and penalties sabotaging potential scoring drives, it was a mostly frustrating afternoon for the Rams offense.
Which is why the very reasonable 13 points the defense had surrendered to the Cardinals by the six-minute mark of the fourth quarter was only enough to keep the Rams in the game and not lead it.
Austin, as honest and conscientious as they come, bore his share of the responsibility for the offensive struggles, taking his spot in line with all the rest of the players on that side of the ball.
“Thing is, the defense was playing so great,” Austin said. “We put them in such tough positions but they kept fighting though. They kept us in the game. They did their job. So you want so badly to do your part.”
After Quinn and Aaron Donald sandwiched Palmer on a vicious sack to force a punt with 5:26 remaining, Austin lined up at the Rams’ 20-yard-line, hoping Cardinals punter Ryan Quigley would give him a chance.
“I thought they were going to sky it, which is what they were doing all game,” Austin said.
Inexplicably, Quigley sent a perfectly returnable ball floating in Austin’s direction.
“I lucked out and he gave me one,” he said.
Upon catching the punt Austin leaned right, and immediately saw oncoming Cardinals tackler Justin Bethel trip and fall.
“Once he fell down, that was the key,” said Austin, who raced to the right sideline and turned upfield. “We got some great blocks out there, (special teams coach John Fassel) put a great return together and just did what I do best.”
The result was a 47-yard return that set the Rams up at the Cardinals’ 19. In fact, had it not been for a face mask penalty on Ifeanyi Momah it might have been more.
“I was gonna walk it in,” Austin said, laughing.
He didn’t need too. Two plays after Austin’s game-changing return, Keenum hooked up with Brian Quick on a 4-yard touchdown pass and the Rams led 17-13.
“I gave us the momentum. Quicky finished it up,” Austin said.
Well, actually it was the defense that put the finishing touch on the Rams’ third straight win, with Barron intercepting Drew Stanton to end one comeback drive and T.J. McDonald picking off another Stanton pass at the back of the end zone as time expired to end another.
But Austin’s point was clear.
For the third week in a row, the Rams needed someone to step up and save the day. And for the third straight week someone did just that.
“At any given time, someone can pop,” Austin said.
It was his turn with the pixie dust Sunday.
You’re starting to believe next week, it’ll be someone else.
October 3, 2016 at 1:51 pm #54392znModeratorRams force five turnovers, continue to dominate on defense
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson leaped in the end zone, intercepted a pass from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer and gifted the football to his father in the stands.
“And that second interception,” Johnson said, “I gave it to my mother.”
Johnson was referring to a catch he made near the sidelines in what ended up being the final drive in the Rams’ 17-13 win from University of Phoenix Stadium. Officials initially ruled an interception after Johnson caught a pass from Cardinals backup Drew Stanton just before going out of bounds. But replay showed that the back of his foot might have touched the very edge of the sideline, prompting an overturned call.
Mom got the ball anyway.
“They’re not getting that ball back,” Johnson said. “That’s my mom’s. She’s taking that back to Stockton with her. Seriously. Y’all know that was a pick. Come on now.”
It would’ve marked the fifth turnover forced by the Rams’ defense on Sunday.
And on the very next play, they got it anyway, when T.J. McDonald caught Stanton’s desperation fling in the end zone as time expired.
It capped another dominant afternoon by the Rams’ defense, which has put its fingerprints all over the three-game winning streak that has kept the team in first place. There was also an interception by Mark Barron, his second in as many games. And a forced fumble by backup defensive lineman Dominique Easley. And a sack-fumble by Aaron Donald, who entered as the highest-graded interior lineman by Pro Football Focus despite not having recorded a sack in the first three weeks.
“It felt good,” Donald said. “Especially with a strip, too, to give it back to the offense. I know those plays are going to come. I just have to play my game.”
The Rams’ defense recorded six quarterback hits, three sacks — one of which gave Palmer a concussion that took him out of the game midway through the fourth quarter — and four tackles for loss. A vaunted defensive line continually created pressure, just like it did over the last two weeks. And a secondary that allowed 405 yards through the air last Sunday held its own against a menacing passing attack, benefiting from the return of cornerback E.J. Gaines.
“We responded,” Johnson said. “We kept everything in front of us. That was the whole plan this week.”
The Rams’ three wins have been defined by signature defensive plays.
In the 9-3 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, there was the Alec Ogletree strip and fumble with the Seahawks 27 yards away from the game-winning touchdown. In the 37-32 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there were two from Robert Quinn, a forced fumble that led to a 77-yard score and a game-ending tackle of Jameis Winston.
In Week 3, there were too many to single out.
“We’re a physical defense that’s swarming; a defense that has opportunities to make a lot of plays,” said Donald, who finished with 1 1/2 sacks and four quarterback hits. “It showed up today.”
October 4, 2016 at 11:47 pm #54525znModeratorWhat we learned from Rams’ 17-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals
http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-what-we-learned-20161002-snap-story.html
Gary Klein
Brian Quick is playing with confidence
The veteran receiver has three touchdown receptions in the last two games.
A week after scoring the Rams’ first touchdown this season on a 44-yard play at Tampa Bay, Quick turned a midrange reception against the Cardinals into a 65-yard scoring play. He also used his leaping ability to outjump a defender for a four-yard touchdown that put the Rams ahead in the fourth quarter.
Quick endured a long training camp that included chastising from Coach Jeff Fisher for dropping passes.
That has not been an issue the last two weeks.
The Rams need cornerback E.J. Gaines
Gaines played in a regular season game for the first time since 2014 and fortified the secondary with a physical style.
Gaines was sidelined because of a foot injury in 2015 and sat out three games this season because of a thigh issue.
The Rams made Coty Sensabaugh inactive Sunday and again started Troy Hill opposite Trumaine Johnson.
But Gaines came on and made seven tackles and broke up two passes.
Hill has done an admirable job in Gaines’ absence. But the Rams’ defense prides itself on physical play and Gaines, who started 15 games in 2014, provides it.
Todd Gurley can contribute with his hands
The Rams running back has worked before, during and after practices to improve his pass-catching skills.
It paid off against the Cardinals.
He made a one-handed catch that he turned into a 33-yard gain. He caught four other passes for 16 yards, including one that set up the Rams’ go-ahead touchdown.
Trumaine Johnson makes it look easy
The franchise cornerback intercepted a pass, nearly intercepted another and broke up or defended six pass plays.
Johnson’s diving interception in the end zone was balletic.
His plays came a week after he hit a Tampa Bay receiver, causing the ball to ricochet into linebacker Mark Barron’s hands for an interception.
Aaron Donald is a force
We already knew that, of course, but the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle showed up in the box score with an obviously meaningful line for the first time this season.
Donald made five tackles, including 1½ sacks, and forced a fumble.
A week after playing all of the defensive line positions at Tampa Bay, Donald helped knock Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer out of the game.
Greg Robinson remains a work in progress.
The left tackle was penalized twice, once for holding on a 27-yard scramble by quarterback Case Keenum and once for being an illegal receiver downfield on another play that Keenum extended.
Robinson is part of a line that has struggled to spring Gurley, who gained only 33 yards in 19 carries.
The Rams are learning how to win on the road
After losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the opener at Santa Clara, the Rams traveled across the country to defeat Tampa Bay and followed that by beating the Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium for the second year in a row.
The Rams cannot afford to let up against Buffalo in their second home game on Sunday.
After that, they return to the road for games at Detroit and in London.
There are safeties in numbers
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams deployed safeties T.J. McDonald, Maurice Alexander and Cody Davis with great effectiveness.
Alexander made five tackles, including a sack.
McDonald broke up two passes and intercepted a Hail Mary as time expires.
Davis made one tackle.
October 4, 2016 at 11:49 pm #54526znModeratorThings you might have missed from the Rams’ 17-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals
http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-cardinals-notice-20161002-snap-story.html
Here are a few things you might have missed from the Rams’ 17-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.
FIRST QUARTER
Cardinals running back Chris Johnson’s weak block on Maurice Alexander led to the first sack of Carson Palmer. The quarterback spun to his left to fake a handoff to Johnson, but the back was on the other side eyeing a blitzing Alexander. His hit didn’t slow the safety, whose first sack of the year cost the Cardinals nine yards.
On Brian Quick’s 65-yard touchdown catch, the Cardinals secondary overran the receiver. Cornerback Marcus Cooper was airborne and reached out to slow Quick, but the 6-foot-3 receiver flew by. Safety Tony Jefferson over-pursued to the sideline and lost his footing as he tried to reverse direction.
SECOND QUARTER
The Rams nearly gifted the Cardinals with a touchdown after Johnson’s 18-yard run deep into L.A. territory. Mark Barron shoved Johnson after he was out of bounds and was flagged for unnecessary roughness, extending the gain by 15 yards. Johnson later rushed up the middle for an apparent 13-yard score, but the play was nullified by a holding penalty on tight end Jermaine Gresham.
On the same drive, nose tackle Michael Brockers came off the line of scrimmage to make a tackle on Cardinals running back David Johnson. Brockers’ quick feet kept Arizona in a third-and-long situation and the Cardinals were forced to settle for a field goal.
The Cardinals secondary experienced some confusion on Kenny Britt’s 34-yard catch, his longest of the game. Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu both stepped up to defend Tavon Austin, which opened space for Britt to make the catch. The play helped set up a Rams field goal for a 10-3 lead.
THIRD QUARTER
Greg Robinson had a difficult day. The left tackle did all he could to slow down Arizona’s Chandler Jones, including holding the pass rusher, but he couldn’t stop him from knocking the ball from Case Keenum’s hands and recovering it. Robinson also was flagged for holding and later was called for being an ineligible receiver downfield on what would have been a pass that moved the Rams into field-goal range. Instead, they had to punt.
FOURTH QUARTER
E.J. Gaines was the Rams’ co-leader in tackles (seven) in his first game back from injury. He got on the stat sheet with a tackle of David Johnson on third down that forced the Cardinals to settle for a field goal in the second quarter. Other highlights included a ball-popping hit on Gresham and stopping Darren Fells from getting out of bounds in the final minute.
October 5, 2016 at 1:27 pm #54533
Eternal RamnationParticipantOctober 5, 2016 at 6:30 pm #54564
ZooeyModeratorOctober 5, 2016 at 7:08 pm #54567ZooeyModeratorESPN First Take
So what I’m hearing is some experts talk who don’t know much of anything about the Rams, or have any idea about how big of a rebuilding project they were, and what obstacles to improving they have faced, or any real idea of their potential.
Okay.
At least they speak with arrogant self-righteousness. That makes it edgy, and entertaining as hell.
October 6, 2016 at 1:14 am #54617znModeratorhttp://www.dailynews.com/sports/20161004/rams-rookie-marqui-christian-savors-win-over-former-team
after training-camp struggles, cornerback now seems to be a position of strength for the Rams. Against Arizona, Trumaine Johnson recorded his first interception of the season, E.J. Gaines played well in his first game back from a quad injury and Lamarcus Joyner has thrived in the nickelback role.
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