The Arizona Cardinals struggled in Week 12 in a 37-14 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. They started well offensively but didn’t do much else good the rest of the game.
What did we learn?
Below are our takeaways from the game.
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All rookie CBs
After starting 11 games, Marco Wilson was not only dropped from the starting lineup, he was dropped from the defensive rotation completely.
The Cardinals started three rookies, as Antonio Hamilton was out with a groin injury. Kei’Trel Clark, benched weeks ago after starting the season as a starter, returned to the starting lineup along with Garrett Williams and Starling Thomas.
Offense looked good in 1st possession
There was a lot to like when the Cardinals had their first offensive possession. They went 75 yards in 12 plays, picking up seven first downs and scored a touchdown. James Conner ran the ball well. Kyler Murray completed 5-of-7 passing for 50 yards. He was under center for five of the plays.
It was what you imagined the offense would be.
It was bad after that
After the 75-yard first drive, the Cardinals gained 27 more yards in the first half.
They went three-and-out three times, turned the ball over on downs once and ended the half having a made field goal come off the board because of a penalty.
By then, there was no hope.
Defense couldn't stop anyone
The Rams basically did whatever they wanted on offense.
Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes. He wasn’t sacked.
The Rams ran the ball for 228 yards. They only punted twice.
The only thing stopping them was themselves. They missed a field goal and an extra point, so it could have been 41-14 for the final score.
Kyler Murray didn't use his legs
Murray had a rushing touchdown for the third straight game but that was his only rushing attempt the entire game. It looked like he was purposely not running, as there were opportunities to take off and running lanes he passed up on taking.
Passing game looked bad
Whether it was Murray’s decisions where to throw the ball or the lack of receivers open, it was as bad as we have seen.
On one third-down play with six yards to pick up the first down, three receivers ran routes three yards and turned around. The other receiver moving down the field was covered.
Murray seemed to be forcing the ball to Greg Dortch and Hollywood Brown.
Absolutely no pass rush and no plays on the ball
The Cardinals failed to sack Matthew Stafford. They hit him three times but he basically had all the time he wanted to throw.
The only time a defender got a hand on a ball was Jalen Thompson’s interception.
