Expert picks for Cardinals-Rams in Week 2

Most expect a close game between the Cardinals and Rams.

The Arizona Cardinals will face the L.A. Rams in Week 2 Sunday afternoon at State Farm Stadium. Both teams are looking for their first win of the season.

Who will come out victorious?

What are the experts saying? Below are picks from the Cards Wire staff and other NFL, Cardinals and Rams experts.

NFL picks Week 2: Rams at Cardinals

Jess Root, Cards Wire

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

Howard Balzer, Cards Wire

It’s time. The Cardinals haven’t defeated the Rams at home since 2014 and the Rams were playing in St. Louis then. Additionally, since moving to 7-0 with a home win over the Houston Texans on Oct. 24, 2021, the Cardinals are an astounding 3-19 at home, although 12 of the losses were by one score including seven by a field goal or less. Overall, they are 9-31 overall (9-32 including the playoff loss to the Rams) since being 10-2 in ’21. To win Sunday, it will mean containing running back Kyren Williams, who rushed for 301 yards in the two Rams wins last season, and playing two complete halves of productive offense. Most important is James Conner running the ball well against a team that allowed 60 yards rushing on a 70-yard overtime touchdown drive that won the game for the Lions. Cardinals 24, Rams 20

Cam DaSilva, Rams Wire

Sean McVay seems to have the Cardinals’ number, going 13-2 in 15 career games against Arizona. Obviously, these are two different teams now than the ones we saw in recent years, but I still think the Rams get the job done on the road. As injured as they are, they can now prepare to be without some of their starters rather than needing to adjust in-game to the losses of Avila, Nacua and Noteboom. It could be a slightly lower-scoring game, but I’ll go Rams 24, Cardinals 21.

Seth Cox, Rise Up, See Red podcast

Cardinals 24, Rams 21

NFL Network experts

Eight of the 10 panelists pick the Rams, but Daniel Jeremiah picks the Cardinals for the second straight week. Marcas Grant also believes the Cardinals will win.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Sub scribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

4 keys to a Cardinals win over Rams in Week 2

What do the Cardinals need to do to beat the Rams in Week 2?

The Arizona Cardinals play their home opener against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday afternoon at State Farm Stadium. They are favored in the game because of the Rams’ number of key injuries.

But the Cardinals have not beaten the Rams at home in a decade and only have two wins over them since 2017 when Sean McVay became head coach.

If they are going to finally get a win and avoid starting the season 0-2, these are the keys to victory.

Arizona Cardinals Week 2 keys to victory over L.A. Rams

Don’t let Kyren Williams dominate

Williams destroyed the Cardinals in 2023 in both meetings with the Rams. he rushed for 301 yards and piled up 362 total yards and three touchdowns in two games.

The Cardinals did okay last week against Bills running back James Cook in the run game, but he did end up with over 100 total yards.

The Cardinals can’t let Williams go crazy and struggle against the passing game.

Get pressure on Matthew Stafford

The Rams will have a third-string left tackle and backup center. In their Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions, QB Matthew Stafford was sacked twice and hit 12 times.

The Cardinals only hit Bills QB Josh Allen three times.

Stafford will make mistakes when he has to come off his spot in the pocket.

Attack Rams CBs on the perimeter

The Lions got five catches for 121 yards and a touchdown from the speedy Jameson Williams against Tre’DaviousWhite. Marvin Harrison Jr. was quiet in his debut with one catch for four yards.

Cobie Durant is questionable to play for the Rams and won’t be 100%. The Cardinals need to attack the perimeter in the passing game to allow the middle of the field to stay open.

Run the ball better

The Cardinals struggled in the run game against the Bills, although they did control the clock and build a 17-3 first-half lead. They finished with 124 yards on the ground, but 49 of those came on two consecutive plays.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Sub scribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

Cardinals at Rams: How to watch, stream, listen to Week 2 matchup

All the info you need to watch, stream or listen to the Cardinals in their home opener against the Rams.

The Arizona Cardinals are 0-1 to start the season and play their home opener Sunday in Week 2 against the 0-1 Los Angeles Rams. The Cardinals have only beaten the Rams twice since 2017 and haven’t beaten them at home in a decade. But the Rams are dealing with a number of injuries. WR Puka Nacua, OL Joe Noteboom and OL Steve Avila are all on injured reserve and OL Alaric Jackson, their regular starting left tackle, is serving the final game of his two-game suspension.

The Cardinals are actually favored in this game.

It is Kyler Murray vs. Matthew Stafford.

The Rams’ Cooper Kupp is healthy and had 14 catches in the opener.

Cardinals rookie receiver Marvin Harrison’s debut against the Buffalo Bills was not one to remember as he only was targeted three times, had one catch for four yards and had a drop.

Of course you will be watching this game. Here is the info you need to watch, stream or listen to the Week 2 NFC West divisional matchup.

Rams at Cardinals game information

What: Rams at Cardinals, Week 2

Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

When: Sunday, Sept. 5, 4:05 p.m. ET (1:05 p.m. Arizona time)

Rams at Cardinals TV info, coverage map

The game will air on FOX. Adam Amina and Mark Sanchez will call the game from the booth, while Kristina Pink will report from the sideline.

The game will air regionally, per the TV coverage maps from 506 Sports in the yellow areas in the below graphic.

Almost all of Arizona, almost all of California and much of Nevada will see the game. It will also be the late game airing in the local markets of Minnesota, Nashville, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Baltimore and Cleveland.

Streaming options for Rams at Cardinals

You can stream the game on Fubo TV (try for free).

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How to listen to Rams at Cardinals on the radio

The Cardinals’ home broadcast will be on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. Their radio crew of Dave Pasch and Ron Wolfley will call the game, while Paul Calvisi will report from the sideline.

The Cardinals’ Spanish broadcast will be on FUEGO 106.7 FM with Luis Hernandez and Irving Villanueva calling the game.

The Rams’ radio broadcast will be on ESPN 710 AM in Souther California. J.B, Long and Maurice Jones-Drew will call the game with D’Marco Farr reporting from the sideline.

Their Spanish broadcast is on Tu Liga Radio 1330 AM. Troy Santiago and Ricardo Lopez will call the game.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Sub scribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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What uniforms will the Cardinals and Rams wear in Week 2?

See what threads the Cardinals and the Rams will be wearing Sunday afternoon.

The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams face one another Sunday afternoon at State Farm Stadium in the first of two meetings in the 2024 season. Both are 0-1 after road losses in Week 1.

What uniforms will they wear in the matchup?

Both teams announced them.

Week 2 fits pic.twitter.com/QK9pNWh0G3

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 11, 2024

The Cardinals will wear their home reds, while the Rams will wear their “bone” jerseys.

For your gameday outfit planning purposes. pic.twitter.com/P2teoa9akH

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 13, 2024

Kickoff is 1:05 p.m. Arizona time at State Farm Stadium.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Sub scribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Staff picks and predictions for Cardinals-Rams in Week 2

Check out the picks for the Cardinals’ game against the Rams.

The Arizona Cardinals will take on the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at home, kicking off at 1:05 p.m. Arizona time at State Farm Stadium.

They are actually favored in the game.

Both teams come in at 0-1. The Rams are banged up with several starters on injured reserve. However, the Cardinals have not beaten the Rams at home in a decade and have only two wins over them since Sean McVay became head coach in 2017.

How will this game play out?

Below are our game predictions from the Cards Wire staff.

Jess Root

Howard Balzer

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Sub scribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Cardinals elevate backup tackle for Week 2 matchup vs. Rams

The Cardinals elevated only one player for Week 2 — tackle Jackson Barton.

The Arizona Cardinals used only one practice squad elevation on Saturday to get the roster set for their Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

In what was no surprise at all, the Cardinals elevated tackle Jackson Barton from the practice squad to the active roster. After all, the Cardinals had no backup tackles on the 53-man roster.

With right tackle Jonah Williams landing on injured reserve this week, the only tackles on the roster were left tackle Paris Johnson and new starter Kelvin Beachum. Barton worked at both tackle spots in the preseason.

The Cardinals also have tackle Charlie Heck on the practice squad, having signed him this week. We will see how they handle the backup tackle job over the next few weeks. They have three games they can elevate Barton and another three they can elevate Heck without having to sign them to the roster.

It was the first elevation of the season for any Cardinals player, as they elected not to elevate any in Week 1.

NFL teams can elevate two players each week, although players can be elevated and revert back to the practice squad without being subject to waivers only three times during the season.

The Cardinals and Rams kick off from State Farm Stadium Sunday a 4:05 p.m. (1:05 p.m. Arizona time).

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Sub scribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Can the Cardinals derail the Kyren Williams Express?

Williams had two monster games against the Cardinals in 2023.

At halftime of the Arizona Cardinals’ Week 6 game in Los Angeles against the Rams last season, they had no idea of the Kyren Williams blitzkrieg that was coming.

The Cardinals led 9-6 over the 2-3 Rams and their running back had only four yards on two carries.

Things changed in a hurry.

Williams went for 17 yards on the first play of the third quarter, added two more runs of 10 and 14 yards in that possession and after a 6:03 drive, the Rams led 13-9. In two other scoring drives, Williams had runs of 27 and 31 yards, and when the dust had cleared, the Cardinals lost 26-9 and Williams totaled 154 yards on 18 carries in the second half.

Of those yards, 99 came on five plays and 85 on three.

However, Williams suffered an ankle injury late in the game. Placed on injured reserve, the Rams lost three of their next four games to fall to 4-6.

Help was coming, just in time for the next game against the Cardinals in Week 12.

Williams returned and picked up where he left off, rushing for 143 yards on 16 carries and adding 61 on six receptions, including two touchdowns. He had explosives of 24 and 56 yards rushing and 24 receiving.

Add it all up and Williams rushed for 301 yards against the Cardinals with 297 coming in six quarters and totaled 362 yards from scrimmage. More than half of his rushing yards (155) came on five plays.

Significantly, the Rams won five of their first six games with Williams back and earned a playoff spot with one game remaining, which resulted in him getting the final week off.

Surely, the Cardinals will have to find a way to contain him Sunday, close to what the Lions did in Week 1, limiting Williams to 50 yards on 18 carries (2.8 average) with a long of only nine.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon said of the Rams ground attack, “They shift and they motion, and they do a lot to gain your eyes, and create leverage and angles. It’s a well thought-out operation.”

When defensive coordinator Nick Rallis was asked about Williams, he first said, “He’s a really good player” and then explained how the Rams make it all work.

“I have a lot of respect for what they do in the run game,” Rallis said. “The nuances of the different ways that they run 2-0 versus mid-zone versus wide zone; it’s detailed out with how they can manipulate the blocking, the points, how they can use those receivers to bluff the outside ‘backers or go right through them and run wide zone. Against us, they had a unique plan going into that first game and into the second game with using the receivers to really get in there and block outside ‘backers.

“Dig out safeties, all of that. So they do a great job of 11 in the run game. And then on top of that they have a really good back and so you can’t let that back get leaky yards. We got to be efficient tacklers, but also we have to have a really good plan for that run game because it’s very detailed and it’s a good rush plan.”

Rallis also noted that the Rams often throw changeups into their plan that forces adjustments to be made on the fly.

He said, “Obviously, you set up a plan going into the week with what you think you’re going to get and then you have to be able to adjust and change. As you see things, if it’s not what you thought, or if they have a tweak in what they’re doing, which they’re definitely an operation that can come in with some nuances that you maybe weren’t ready for that they’ve put in that week and that they’re executing at a high level. So you got to be ready to combat those type of things.”

As for the leaky yards Rallis noted, safety Jalen Thompson referenced it when emphasizing the importance of hopefully eliminating the explosives.

“One hundred percent,” he said, “Our coaches harp on that all the time. No leaky yardage on the tackle and try to swarm him. We need as many people to the ball as we can.”

Safety Budda Baker said, “He’s great at running those stretch opens, pitches, whatever they asked him to do.”

“He runs hard. He runs low. Hits the whole fast,” Thompson added. “We gotta make sure to make tackles with our pads down, get him to the ground. He rushes. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. It’s gonna be a tough matchup for us.”

As defensive lineman Roy Lopes simply said in endearing fashion, “He’s a dog.”

The Cardinals can only hope Williams doesn’t eat them alive again.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Sub scribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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It’s a new day facing the Rams without DL Aaron Donald

The Cardinals will see what life after Aaron Donald looks like for the Rams this Sunday.

For the first time since the 2014 season when he was a No. 1 draft pick, the Arizona Cardinals are facing the Los Angeles Rams without defensive lineman Aaron Donald.

Donald, who will become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2029, routinely gave fits to offensive linemen and was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year while being first-team All-Pro eight times in his 10-year career and was selected to the Pro Bowl every season, including when he was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

His career totals in 154 games were 111 sacks, 176 tackles for loss and 260 quarterback hits. In 20 games against the Cardinals, he had 16 sacks, 26 tackles for loss and 34 QB hits.

When word spread in the offseason that Donald was retiring, quarterback Kyler Murray merely wrote two words on Twitter: “THANK GOD.”

This week, Murray said, “He’s in my eyes the best of all time, so I’m definitely glad that he’s not going to be out there on Sunday for sure.”

When left guard Evan Brown, who started all 16 games for the Seahawks last season and also played against him in 2021 when he was with the Lions, was asked how good it is to prepare for the Rams without Donald, he laughed and said, “When we all saw he retired in the offseason, most of the linemen gave a little sigh on that one because he’s one of the best interior guys to ever play the game.

“Every time he was out there, you had to account for him and know where he was at. You would build the game plan around him. He was one of the only defensive tackles in the league that you’re truly adjusting game plans for, knowing where he is on the field at all times.”

What made him so great? Brown said, “He’s such a smart player. He just knew the ins and outs of the game. Just his explosiveness, his instinctiveness to play off blocks. Just how strong and athletic he was. Just a perfect combination of being a great 3-tech.”

Did he ever take a play off? “I don’t think he did,” Brown said.

Right guard Will Hernandez had a one-word answer when asked what made Donald so great: “Everything.”

Despite not having No. 99 on the other side of the line of scrimmage, the Cardinals offense know Sunday won’t be a walk in the park.

“They’re still obviously well-coached,” Murray said. “They have a lot of great young players up there that play super hard. Those things are unmatched. Any d-line that plays really hard and tries to get after the quarterback the way they do is just going to be a tough matchup for you.”

Said offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, “They have really good players. Obviously, he’s a Hall of Famer, so it’s different. Their D-line is good. They have good edge guys. Again, they’re coordinated very well. They play well together.”

“Gotta give props to him. He did a lot of things for them and what they did,” Brown said. “Now they’ve got to adjust off of not having him there. They’ve got some great d-linemen over there that they’re building with that are young, that are talented. It’s just another different challenge now.”

Right tackle Kelvin Beachum, who will start this week with Jonah Williams on injured reserve, said Donald isn’t on anyone’s mind now.

“We’re worried about the guys that we’re playing this week,” he said. “We don’t have time to think about the past. We’re worried about the guys that we’re playing this week. They have a really good front: 91, 55, 92, 0, 8 and 97. Those are the folks we’re worried about right now.”

“Those folks,” by number, are Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Neville Gallimore, Byron Young. Jared Verse and Michael Hoecht.

By late Sunday afternoon, we’ll know if the Cardinals have had any success against a team they have defeated only twice starting in 2017.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Sub scribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

Greg Dortch is lone player connection between Cardinals, Rams

Between the Cardinals and Rams, only one team has been with both — receiver Greg Dortch.

The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams face one another in Week 2 in Arizona for the first of two divisional matchups this season. Typically, we will see a few player connections between the Cardinals and their opponents.

This week, there is a singular connection — one Cardinals player who spent time with the Rams. The Rams have no former Cardinals on their active roster, reserves or practice squad.

The one Cardinals player to spent time with the Rams is receiver Greg Dortch. Dortch, now in his fourth season with the Cardinals, spent the final month of the 2019 on the Rams’ practice squad, so he never appeared in a game.

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp has a connection to the Cardinals a different way. His father, Craig Kupp, was a backup quarterback for the Cardinals in 1991.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Sub scribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

LA Rams final injury report: RT Rob Havenstein available to play

A look at who might not play on Sunday for the Rams against the Cardinals in Week 2.

In a week where the L.A. Rams placed three players on injured reserve, including two offensive linemen, the final injury report lists one player as doubtful and three questionable.

Most important is that right tackle Rob Havenstein has no game-status designation.

The details of the Rams’ final injury report are below.

L.A. Rams Week 2 final injury report game designations

Out

TE Davis Allen (back)

Allen did not practice during all three days this week. He was originally listed as doubtful but downgraded later on Friday.

Questionable

G Kevin Dotson (foot)

CB Cobie Durant (toe)

S Quentin Lake (hip)

Dotson and Lake, who both did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday, were upgraded to limited on Friday. They are both starters. Lake was added to the report Thursday as limited and had the same practice designation Friday.

No injury designation

T Rob Havenstein (foot)

ILB Christian Rozeboom (hip)

CB Tre’Davious White (rest)

With starting offensive linemen Steve Avila and Joseph Noteboom on injured reserve, getting Havenstein back is crucial. He had full participation in Friday’s practice after being limited Wednesday and Thursday.

Rozeboom also practiced fully Friday after being limited the previous two days. White was added to the report Friday because of a rest day.

Arizona Cardinals Week 2 final injury report game designations

Questionable

CB Max Melton (concussion)
WR Xavier Weaver (oblique)

No injury designation

QB Kyler Murray (knee)

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Sub scribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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