With the Rams’ 13-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals, they take one step closer to claiming the NFC West. However, the victory was not one that infused the fan base with confidence as their team pushes towards the postseason. The Cardinals lost this game more than the Rams won it but when it came time to make the necessary plays, especially in securing critical red zone interceptions, the Rams got it done. Arizona, on the other hand, did not.
The defense and special teams unit saved the day. Chris Shula and Chase Blackburn deserve their flowers because their players’ ability to flip field position and stifle the Cardinals’ enough squeaked out this win.
Here are five takeaways from the Rams’ narrow (and dramatic) win on Saturday night.
1. Kyren Williams' usage was unacceptable
Williams has a well-documented history of gashing the Cardinals. The Cardinals just surrendered 243 rushing yards to the Panthers last week. The Cardinals’ offensive game plan revolved around burning the clock. Knowing this, the Rams proceeded to execute an ineffective passing attack that put the ball back into Kyler Murray’s hands, allowing him to exploit a tired Los Angeles defense.
Williams had only 13 carries on the night. In those 13 carries, he averaged 4.3 yards per attempt and punched in the Rams’ lone touchdown of the night. The Rams refused to use their star back, they would not run him with a QB under center and put him in shotgun where he is severely less effective. Hopefully Sean McVay was just experimenting because for it being a “must-win” game, the offense decided to throw convention into the wind by using constant play-action passes without actually running the ball.
2. Xavier Smith has proven his value as a special teamer
With each passing week, Smith has continued to prove to the Rams that he is a valuable member of their organization. First making his name known as a returner, he has excelled as a gunner, using his speed and hands to force fair catches and poor field position for the opposition.
This was made prevalent with a Rams’ punt that Smith caught over his shoulder, preventing the ball from bouncing into the end zone for a touchback. Instead, he caught it at the 3-yard line, pinning the Cardinals deep.
3. There's something off with Matthew Stafford
Entering Saturday night, Stafford has had a fair amount of struggles with his accuracy over the past two weeks. He didn’t eclipse 200 yards in either performance against the 49ers or Jets, but weather played a massive factor as it was storming in San Francisco and extremely cold in New Jersey.
Then in prime conditions, Stafford continued to struggle. He was wildly inaccurate on Saturday, especially on short passes to the outside. He put the ball in danger on multiple occasions and was nearly picked off in the red zone multiple times. This is the third game Stafford has failed to throw for more than 200 yards; he had 32 passing attempts on Saturday, so the opportunities were there.
4. Cooper Kupp is showing his age
Kupp has been inconsistent throughout the year but there were a variety of factors that contributed to it, including an early season injury and Kupp taking a smaller role in the offense. However, Kupp has looked like a shell of himself over the past three weeks.
It’s not just his route running or his ability to separate from defenders. His hands are as suspect as they have ever been, dropping a pass on third down Saturday night. Now, Kupp still provides a tremendous value to the Rams but perhaps it is time to evolve his role in the offense.
5. Sean McVay's red zone playcalling is unacceptable
It’s never a good idea to pass the ball at the 1-yard line. There’s nothing more to this point. It’s just a poor idea. The Rams have struggled in the red zone throughout the entire season, in part due to their unwillingness to run the football.
Williams needs to get touches in the red zone. He needs to get them with a QB under center. Running the ball out of shotgun is no longer an effective strategy and with the strength of the interior offensive line, it makes no sense as to why the Rams do not play bully ball inside the 20-yard line.
