The Arizona Cardinals seek their first win of the season in Week 2 taking on the L.A. Rams at home Sunday afternoon. To do that, they will need to win some key matchups.
Below are some of the matchups in the game that will matter most.
Cardinals vs. Rams key matchups in Week 2
WR Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. CB Tre’Davious White
White struggled in the Rams’ opener against the Detroit Lions, getting beat by Jameson Williams. Williams finished with 121 receiving yards and a score on five receptions.
He presumably will be lined up against Harrison, the Cardinals’ top pick in the draft this year. Harrison only had one catch for four yards in his debit last week.
The Cardinals need more.
RT Kelvin Beachum vs. OLB Byron Young
The Rams have two young, talented edge rushers. Rookie Jared Verse will go up against Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson. Johnson will likely do fine. Beachum struggled last week in relief of Jonah Williams after Williams injured his knee. Greg Rousseau beat him a couple of times and Von Miller knocked him back, making Kyler Murry trip.
Young had a sack in the Rams’ opener and had eight as a rookie last season.
OLB Zaven Collins vs. ??? Rams left tackle
Alaric Jackson is suspended. Joe Noteboom, his replacement, is on injured reserve. Warren McClendon could be the starting left tackle or it could be Ty Nsekhe or Geron Christian, both of whom were signed last week.
Collins should have had a sack last week but it was nullified by a penalty that should not have been. He needs to get pressure on Matthew Stafford.
CB Garrett Williams (and company) vs. WR Cooper Kupp
Kupp had 14 catches for 110 yards in the opener and was targeted 21 times. He moves all over but lines up most in the slot, which means Williams will get a lot of work against him.
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