5 keys to victory: Can Cardinals be Rams’ ‘get right’ game?

Whenever the Los Angeles Rams have needed to get back on track, the Arizona Cardinals are always lingering on the schedule. After losing to the Carolina Panthers and needing to get back on track, a game against the Cardinals couldn’t come at a better time. Finding form against the Cardinals will be big for upcoming matchups against the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks. Here are five keys to victory against the Cardinals.

1. Be ready for a close game

The Rams are 3-3 in one-score games this season. That’s not a bad thing, but the Rams have been accustomed to winning big and when games get close, they become 50-50. While the Cardinals are just 3-9, they have played nine one-score games, they are 2-7 in those games. They have lost five games in which they held a lead at some point in the fourth quarter and are 24th in fourth quarter scoring.

When the Rams have needed a get-right game in the past, the Cardinals have been able to play that role. It was a win in December in 2021 that sparked the Super Bowl run. It was also a win against the Cardinals that sparked the run at the end of 2023. The Cardinals’ season may be over, but they still compete every week. The Rams have to be ready for a close battle.

2. Get Pressure on Jacoby Brissett

A key aspect for the Rams defense is their ability to generate pressure. However, over the past month, they’ve been inconsistent and that was emphasized in last week’s loss to the Carolina Panthers. Brissett has played well since taking over as the starting quarterback for the Cardinals. However, he’s also been one of the more pressured quarterbacks. Since Week 6, Brissett has been the third most-pressured quarterback in the NFL. When under pressure, he averaged -0.52 EPA per pass with a passer rating of 68.2. Without pressure, he has 12 touchdowns to three interceptions with an EPA per pass of 0.37.

At the end of the day, the Rams have to find a way to pressure Brissett and make him uncomfortable. Brissett is more than comfortable with taking the easy throws and distributing the ball underneath. His average depth of target when kept clean is 6.8 yards — the ninth-lowest in the NFL — and very similar to Bryce Young’s. The Rams have to be able to disrupt that timing and get more immediate pressure. This season, the Cardinals have allowed the fourth-most pressure and the third-highest sack rate against the blitz.

3. Protect the football

Last week, the Rams lost the turnover battle 3-0 and it ended up playing a big role in the loss to the Panthers. The Rams can’t afford to lose the turnover battle once again and the Cardinals have an opportunistic defense. This season, the Cardinals have forced 17 turnovers which is the eighth-most in the NFL. They only have a +2 turnover differential, but the defense creates opportunities. They...