They’re Due, and They’re Dangerous
I’m not oblivious to the trends. I’m just choosing to ignore them for the next 48 hours.
These Cardinals are much better than their eight-game losing streak in divisional games, longest active in the NFL. This is not the group that’s yet to beat McVay’s Rams on their home grass.
In Murray, Harrison, ascendant tight end Trey McBride, and punishing back James Conner (third in rushing since the start of last season), the Cardinals have firepower. They’re better equipped and better coached than they’ve been for most of the McVay Era.
Watching them go to Orchard Park and build a 17-3 lead with authority confirmed all my concerns about the Cardinals being a tough out. The Rams will have to play very well to earn their first win and send Arizona to 0-2.
Whereas the Cardinals were winless in division games last season, the Rams went 5-1 in the NFC West. Here’s what’s left in my notebook heading into Week 2.
That overtime defeat in Detroit was one of the most impressive losses of my time with the organization. In some ways, I liken it to the overtime loss in Baltimore last December. But here’s the thing about moral victories: They have a maximum shelf life of seven days. The good vibes from a bitter defeat don’t mean a thing unless you cash them in for a real win the next chance you get.
First-time defensive coordinator Chris Shula was ready. He and his staff met the moment.
For an organization that doesn’t often participate in early free agency windows, the Rams have to be glad they invested in safety Kamren Curl and tight end Colby Parkinson. Those both look like astute signings for position groups that really needed their contributions.
Nice start for Joshua Karty. (phew)
I got a lot of “take the points” comments in the aftermath of the Rams failing on fourth down in the second quarter against the Lions. No way. Though a field goal try would have been identical to the 41-yarder Karty had already hit, this was fourth and four (whereas the prior decision had been fourth and 14). With a rookie at kicker and a future Hall of Famer at quarterback, that’s a green light go-for-it. And this was before the Rams lost Joe Noteboom and Steve Avila to injury. Kudos to McVay for making the correct decision there. Unfortunate that Kupp dropped it.
Dating back to last season, Stafford now has four straight 300-yard…
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