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

Nice acceleration and pad level by Darrell Henderson after the catch #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/VONVR9wsU9

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) December 7, 2020

Aaron Donald catching DJ Humphries wrist to set up this inside swim is like watching Patrick Mahomes make one of his pirouette passes #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/D96VIpJVQ0

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) December 7, 2020

merlin

Our special teams have been a catastrophe all season long. I can’t believe we lucked into a kicker. Honestly Bonamego is so bad that he might cost McVay a real shot at a championship this season. The Rams are very close to that type of team if they can get a run game rolling but the STs play looms like that killer in the horror movie that is just waiting for his opening

A few weeks back before Patrick was cut he was the guy who clearly loafed (to my eye at least) on the TD return. He made his way back and tonight had a big penalty. The blocking on opposing gunners has been terrible too, Long is one of the worst I’ve seen at that and he keeps getting trotted out there to do it.

But the thing with Bonamego is the issues go far deeper too. We drafted the wrong kicker which was a decision he undoubtedly had his hands all over. We kept the wrong kicker too most likely after report after report that said Bonamego’s boy was terrible in camp, only to be told he turned it on miraculously in practices where the press couldn’t see. He wanted Kupp back there returning punts when he wasn’t any better than Web, and our special teams dropped from middle of the pack to bottom feeder across the board in one season under his stewardship.

But the bottom of the roster needs more special teams focus. I think that is on McVay. Remember how Fish used to stack the bottom of the roster? He’d have special teams practices that final week and tell the bottom guys “this is for your job go get it.” IMO that was something that eroded the relationship between McVay and Fassel too, the way that he probably didn’t get the full autonomy with the bottom of the roster.

NFL Research@NFLResearch
The @Chiefs are now 31-4 against the AFC West since 2015 — the best record by any team in divisional games in any 6-year span since the 1970 merger

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.”

==

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.

Following a turnover-plagued loss to the 49ers, Rams QB Jared Goff took some criticism from his head coach. How would he respond? Well, in phenomenal fashion during a Rams victory over the Cardinals, @JimTrotter_NFL writes.https://t.co/k3OAFdjc8g pic.twitter.com/R22FrkFwOT

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 7, 2020

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?

Darrell Henderson leaves the DL on the ground that hit Henderson hard enough to ear-hole other RBs #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/CI0tdpiQ3H

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) December 7, 2020

Give the OL some credit for that TD pic.twitter.com/DHt4gKOZX3

— BTHRams (@BTH_Rams) December 6, 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.

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

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

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 7, 2020

RIPKobeBeanBryant@Rams24_7
Rams are winning tomorrow. I just think we match up well with the Cards. Rams have only lost back to back 4 times under McVay

Matt Bowen@MattBowen41
Could see some 3 “Robber” coverage (safety spins down) vs. QB Kyler Murray.

Zone discipline in coverage with more defenders in the middle of the field — plus the interior twist stunts (Aaron Donald).

CB Jalen Ramsey vs. WR DeAndre Hopkins…

LAR can play split-safety zone coverages — with Ramsey “locked” vs. Hopkins (man-technique).

Look for this when Hopkins is aligned as the boundary X receiver.

#Rams–#Cardinals today…

QB Jared Goff will see pressure from an AZ defense that ranks 4th in blitz rate (38.8%).

Here’s how the LAR can use 6-Man protection to create clean pocket throws for Goff — with staple Hi-Lo concepts. @NFLMatchup @gregcosell @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/Z7H741XBb0

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) December 6, 2020