GLENDALE, Ariz. — If last weekend’s near-comeback was an example of the Rams’ resilience under adversity, then Sunday’s 41-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals was a reality check for just how difficult it will be for the short-handed Rams to keep their season on track.
It wasn’t just that the Rams (0-2) lost in Arizona for the first time since 2014. It was how they did it.
Kyren Williams, who averaged 150.5 rushing yards in two games against the Cardinals (1-1) last year, had nowhere to run on Sunday. He gained 25 yards on 12 attempts as the Rams offensive line could not get any push, then the offense had to abandon the run as the score got out of hand.
That same offensive line gave quarterback Matthew Stafford no time to operate in the pocket. The Rams failed to convert their first six third-down attempts; three of those were due to sacks, all of them allowed by Warren McClendon Jr., starting at left tackle due to Alaric Jackson’s suspension and Joe Noteboom’s high ankle sprain.
All told, the Rams allowed five sacks and finished 3-for-13 on third and fourth downs.
And as if Puka Nacua’s trip to injured reserve wasn’t devastating enough to the receiving corps, Cooper Kupp’s left ankle got rolled up under a Cardinals defender on a 24-yard gain. He left the game for a couple plays, returned for an unsuccessful fourth-down attempt at the goal line, then was unable to return to play in the second half.
By the time Kupp left, the Rams were already down 24-3. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who famously proclaimed “thank god” after Aaron Donald’s retirement, was able to escape sacks time and again to expose the limitations of the Rams’ secondary without Darious Williams (hamstring).
First, it was a 23-yard soaring pass to rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., finishing his first career touchdown pass through contact from corner Tre’Davious White. On the first play of the next drive, Harrison got behind Cam Kurl in zone to complete a 60-yard touchdown reception.
On a scramble drill on the ensuing drive, Rams rookie safety Kamren Kinchens allowed Harrison to get past him for a third-down conversion. Then to cap off that drive, Murray dodged Jared Verse, then Braden Fiske, then Verse again to find Elijah Higgins for a touchdown.
Murray finished with 266 passing yards and three touchdowns on 21 attempts before he was pulled in the fourth quarter to allow backup Clayton Tune to finish the game.
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Now the Rams sit at 0-2, the type of hole that only 11.4% of teams have climbed out of to reach the playoffs since 1990.
Reinforcements will come; Jackson’s suspension is served, and he will take back over at left tackle next week. Nacua, Williams, Noteboom and left guard Steve Avila are all expected back this season, but not before Week 5 at the absolute earliest for Williams, and Week 7 for the rest.