Rams-Cardinals preview: 5 questions for Sunday's matchup

The Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals are set to clash in their second and final meeting of the season on Sunday. After the Cardinals secured a surprising victory over the Rams in Week 6, going 24-13 as underdogs, the Denver-based team will aim to avoid a season sweep with their favored status. To offer insights into this clash, the outlet reached out to Jess Root from Cards Wire, who posed five crucial questions about the matchup in Glendale.

Firstly, Root asked how Carson Beck would perform in his NFL debut. The analysis suggests that it is a less-than-ideal situation for Beck, as he won't have key playmakers like Jeremiyah Love, Marvin Harrison Jr., or Michael Wilson. Additionally, left tackle Paris Johnson is out for the season, while a third-string center will start. If Beck manages to survive without being abysmal, that would be the best-case scenario.

Next, the focus shifted to the go-to receiver for the Cardinals in the absence of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. The question posed was whether Trey McBride would suffice as the primary target. The receivers currently on the roster have combined for just eight catches all season. Elijah Higgins, the newly extended tight end, has had 18 catches so far this year, but it remains uncertain whether he can fill this crucial role.

Moving on to the weakest point of Arizona's 31st-ranked defense, the question was about identifying their biggest vulnerability. Root pointed out that the tackling has been inconsistent, but the most significant issue lies with the lack of production from their edge rushers.

The fourth question delved into what the Cardinals might attempt to replicate from their Week 6 win over the Rams. To achieve this, the defense must return to its previous level of performance. Offensively, the focus would need to be on Tyler Allgeier, Trey McBride, and Bam Knight. However, if they can replicate the offensive play without a similar defensive effort, victory will remain elusive.

Finally, the outlet asked who would emerge victorious and predicted the final score. Root concluded that this game would be challenging, noting that it would be difficult for the Cardinals to generate much offense against the Rams defense. Beck may face harassment but could show promise, while the defense would be susceptible to big plays in the run game. The projection was a heavy favorite Rams team with a score of 24, while the Cardinals would finish with a score of 13.