The Arizona Cardinals defense should rejoice about sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young thrice in their 36-30 overtime loss in Week 16. Perhaps defensive coordinator Nick Rallis can wreak havoc once more on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is a gunslinger and if the Cardinals want to pull out the upset, they need to keep him at bay on the road tonight.
The Rams did not allow a sack in their 19-9 win over the New York Jets in Week 16. This explains deeply why they were able to dictate the game pace and escape MetLife Stadium with the win.
Stafford still ranks No. 9 in total passing yards heading into tonight’s NFC West matchup with the Cardinals who haven’t been perfect in pass defense (ranked No. 15 allowing 212.5 per game). In the Cardinals’ 41-10 victory over the Rams in Week 2, the Cardinals sacked Stafford five times, although the L.A. offensive line had backups playing. It’s improbable to believe that the Cardinals will match up equally with the Rams receiving corps, so Rallis better have a dynamic pass rush to help cover up some of the defensive flaws in this matchup.
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