The Arizona Cardinals travel to London this week to play the Los Angeles Rams at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday. The game kicks off at 10 a.m. MST and is televised on Fox. Kent Somers from azcentral sports offers his prediction and scouting report for the Cardinals vs. Rams. 

Cardinals on offense

Can serious problems on offense be solved in one week? Maybe we’ll find out on Sunday when the invigorated, confident Cardinals play the Rams at Twickenham Stadium. It’s still hard to believe the offense that scored 38 points against the Bucs last Sunday was the same one that struggled to reach 20 points in its first six games. That’s how much things changed with the addition of running back Adrian Peterson and the return of tackle D.J. Humphries and guard Alex Boone from injuries. Is it realistic to expect 134 yards and two touchdowns from Peterson again? No. He can’t keep up that pace, especially at 32. But Peterson obviously gives the Cardinals a run threat, which allows them to be more diverse on offense. More important, his addition made others around him play better. The offensive line blocked better. Tight ends Jermaine Gresham and Troy Niklas played their best games. Receivers were willing blockers. Carson Palmer had time to throw. The Rams’ defense has dropped off some from previous years, but it’s still learning the system of new coordinator Wade Phillips. The front seven is formidable. Tackle Aaron Donald, the best defensive lineman in football, will challenge the Cardinals’ interior. Robert Quinn will rush off the edge, testing Humphries. Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron are fast, physical inside linebackers. Watching Phillips and the Cardinals’ Bruce Arians match wits should be fun.

Edge: Cardinals.

Cardinals on defense

For years, the Rams were clueless on how to function on offense. Coach Sean McVay has changed that and it’s hard to recognize the unit this year. Quarterback Jared Goff, who looked overmatched as a rookie, has eight touchdown passes and three interceptions. The eight touchdowns are not a huge number, but the Rams will take that TDs-to-interceptions ratio. Todd Gurley spend the 2016 season looking for room to run, to no avail. That, too, has changed. He has 521 yards and four touchdowns. The Cardinals, as usual, will sell out to stop the run. They will try to put the Rams’ offense in Goff’s hands. Watch strong safety Tyvon Branch on Sunday. If the Cardinals’ defense is clicking, Branch will be making a bunch of tackles versus the run. The Rams upgraded their offensive line in the offseason. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth has stabilized a group that was among the NFL’s worst for several seasons. Outside linebacker Chandler Jones, who has seven sacks this season, will test him. The Cardinals’ defense has been streaky all season, playing well for two, three quarters only to put up little resistance during other parts of the game. That has to change or the Cardinals will fall out of contention in the NFC West quickly. The Cardinals appear to have run out of patience with starting cornerback Justin Bethel, who is expected to be replaced in the starting lineup Sunday by Tramon Williams. Bethel is an exceptional athlete, but too often fails to find the ball. Williams, 34, was signed after training camp started and has played a minimal amount this season.

Edge: Rams.

Special teams

For years, the Rams have been strong in this area under assistant John Fassel. The Rams didn’t look as good in this area until last week. They scored two touchdowns on special teams against the Jaguars: a kickoff return by Pharoh Cooper and a return of a blocked punt. Those scores were the difference in a 27-17 victory. The Cardinals’ special teams played better last week after performing far below average in the first five weeks. Bethel should improve the coverage teams if he’s able to play more. Bethel might not start at cornerback, which will make him more available on special teams. They still aren’t getting much out of the return game, but at least Kerwynn Williams had better judgment last week about when not to return kicks out of the end zone.

Edge: Rams.

Bottom line

At 4-2, the Rams have been among the league’s more surprising teams this season. It’s no fluke. They have a direction on offense and should improve defensively as the season progresses. The trade for Adrian Peterson apparently was just what the Cardinals needed. I like how the Cardinals handled the trip to London: arriving early in the week rather than late, as the Rams did. I think it will pay off for them.

Prediction: Cardinals 24, Rams 21.

MORE CARDINALS: How to watch the Cardinals-Rams game at Twickenham Stadium

CARDINALS DEPTH CHART: How roster stacks up for London game vs. Los Angeles Rams

CARDINALS PODCAST: Can Adrian Peterson keep this up as team heads London to face the Rams?

 

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