Editor: Joe Bryant.
Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout.
St. Louis 27 at Arizona 14
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
St. Louis Rams:
QB Marc Bulger looked impressive again in leading the Ram offense. He completed 20 of his 29 attempts and spread the ball around to 8 different receivers. In the first half he was 15 for 19 for 207 yards as the Rams controlled the game. His 2 touchdown passes were beautiful throws. He did throw 2 interceptions, both of which were deserved.
RB Marshall Faulk was unstoppable even while suffering from the flu. Faulk dominated this game with 236 total yards. He had a 14 yard run called back on a holding penalty which would have given him an even 250 yards. By comparison Arizona totaled only 257 yards. He did come out of the game periodically with what appeared to be calf cramps. He showed no ill-effects in his play and he scored the final Ram touchdown.
RB Trung Canidate spelled Faulk as needed. It appears he may have passed Lamar Gordon as the backup to Faulk but his outing was absolutely dreadful. He carried 5 times for 4 yards. Against the same defense, Faulk averaged 6.6 yards per carry. This situation bears watching because whoever backs up Faulk has tremendous value but it appears that may change from Canidate to Gordon.
WR Tory Holt caught only one pass for a 7 yard touchdown. He was targeted 5 times in the game but dropped 2 passes, one of which was an easy touchdown catch. However on the next play, Bulger went right back to Holt for the touchdown.
WR Isaac Bruce was the most targeted of the Rams wide receivers getting 8 passes thrown his way. Bulger definitely favoring Bruce over Holt at this point. Bruce was only able to come down with 3 catches for 31 yards.
The Rams did a phenomenal job holding the Arizona running game in check. They gave up only 40 rushing yards to the Cardinal running backs. It appeared their game plan was to force the Cardinals to throw and they succeeded.
Arizona Cardinals:
QB Jake Plummer came into the game with the lowest Quarterback Rating of any NFL starter. He did little to improve his status but got little help from his running game or David Boston. Plummer completed 19 of 30 and 1 touchdown to go with 1 interception. He added a couple scrambles and made a few 3rd down conversions to extend drives. He kept his team in the game until the Rams scored with 1:53 in the game.
RB Thomas Jones carried 12 times for only 25 yards averaging 2.1 carries. He looked slow to the holes and showed no explosion or power. He did have 4 catches for 31 yards and had a 41 yard reception called back on a holding penalty.
WR David Boston looks nothing like the All Pro receiver he was a year ago. He looks slowed by his foot injury but even worse, dropped more balls than he caught. He caught only 1 pass for 14 yards and was targeted only 4 times in the game. He dropped 2 easy catches.
WR Frank Sanders was Plummer's favorite target catching 6 balls for 67 yards including Arizona's lone offensive touchdown. He likely will continue to see additional passes his way with Boston struggling. Additionally MarTay Jenkins left with a broken bone in his shoulder blade on the opening kick off.
WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW
St. Louis Rams
QB: Marc Bulger looked impressive again in leading the Ram offense. He completed 20 of his 29 attempts and spread the ball around to 8 different receivers. In the first half he was 15 for 19 for 207 yards as the Rams controlled the game. His 2 touchdown passes were beautiful throws. He did throw 2 interceptions, both of which were deserved. One he tried to force to Isaac Bruce, the other was a bad decision into a crowd with Proehl, Bruce and 3 defenders in the area. Bulger had great protection and read the coverages well but Faulk was the bigger factor on the day.
RB: Marshall Faulk - couldn't be stopped by Arizona. Faulk was very patient getting to the hole and exploding for yards once at the hole. Faulk dominated this game with 236 total yards. He had a 14 yard run called back on a holding penalty which would have given him an even 250 yards. By comparison Arizona totaled only 257 yards. Faulk was suffering from the flu and he did come out of the game periodically with what appeared to be calf cramps. He showed no ill-effects in his play and he scored the final Ram touchdown.
Trung Canidate spelled Faulk as needed. It appears he may have passed Lamar Gordon as the backup to Faulk but his outing was absolutely dreadful. He carried 5 times for 4 yards. Against the same defense, Faulk averaged 6.6 yards per carry. This situation bears watching because whoever backs up Faulk has tremendous value but it appears that may change from Canidate to Gordon.
WR: Tory Holt caught only one pass for a 7 yard touchdown. He was targeted 5 times in the game but dropped 2 passes, one of which was an easy touchdown catch. However on the next play, Bulger went right back to Holt for the touchdown.
Isaac Bruce was the most targeted of the Rams wide receivers getting 8 passes thrown his way. Bulger definitely favoring Bruce over Holt in this game. Bruce was only able to come down with 3 catches for 31 yards.
Troy Edwards led Rams receivers with 63 yards and caught all 4 passes thrown to him.
Ricky Proehl caught 2 of the 3 passes thrown his way one for a 31 yard touchdown, the other for a crucial 3rd down conversion.
TE: Ernie Conwell was active catching 3 passes for 27 yards and added a rush for 15 yards on the second play from scrimmage.
Ram Pass Defense: The Rams got some pressure on Plummer early but allowed several 3rd down conversions. They sacked Plummer 3 times and came up with 1 interception.
Ram Rush Defense: The Rams did a phenomenal job holding the Arizona running game in check. They gave up only 40 rushing yards to the Cardinal running backs. It appeared their game plan was to force the Cardinals to throw and they succeeded.
Rams Special Teams: Jeff Wilkins missed a 45 yard field goal but did hit his other two attempts, one of them from 42 yards.
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Arizona Cardinals
QB: Jake Plummer came into the game with the lowest Quarterback Rating of any NFL starter. He did little to improve his status but got little help from his running game or David Boston. He had very little time to get off his passes and was constantly scrambling. Plummer started off ok when they played conservatively but struggled with accuracy for most of the game. Plummer completed 19 of 30 and 1 touchdown to go with 1 interception. He added a couple scrambles and made a few 3rd down conversions to extend drives. He kept his team in the game until the Rams scored with 1:53 in the game.
RB: Thomas Jones carried 12 times for only 25 yards averaging 2.1 per carry. He looked slow to the holes and showed no explosion or power. He did have 4 catches for 31 yards and had a 41 yard reception called back on a holding penalty.
Marcel Shipp carried only 3 times but averaged 5 yards per carry. He runs with more power than Jones and was the favorite in the red zone but he did lose a fumble.
WR: David Boston looks nothing like the All Pro receiver he was a year ago. He looks slowed by his foot injury but even worse, dropped more balls than he caught. He caught only 1 pass for 14 yards and was targeted only 4 times in the game. He dropped 2 easy catches.
Frank Sanders was Plummer's favorite target catching 6 balls for 67 yards including Arizona's lone offensive touchdown. He likely will continue to see additional passes his way with Boston struggling. Additionally MarTay Jenkins left with a broken bone in his shoulder blade on the opening kick off.
Jason McAddley caught 2 passes for 30 yards. One of them was a 25 yard 1st down reception on 3rd and 20.
TE: Freddie Jones caught only 2 passes for 23 yards and cost the team 51 yards with a holding penalty negating a 41 yard Thomas Jones reception.
Cardinal Pass Defense was ineffective on putting much pressure on Bulger most of the day. They did sack him twice and got 2 interceptions, one of which they returned for a touchdown.
Cardinal Rush Defense played poorly. They allowed Faulk huge chunks of yards on nearly every run but did prevent him from breaking off a long run. Typically the safeties and linebackers were running Faulk down as he regularly got through the line for pickups of 8 and 10 yards. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry.