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Arizona Cardinals: Defense should bend not break vs. Rams

By Larry Brake

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09: Cornerback Brandon Williams #26 of the Arizona Cardinals and defensive back Patrick Peterson #21 take the field for warmups before the game against the Washington Redskins at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09: Cornerback Brandon Williams #26 of the Arizona Cardinals and defensive back Patrick Peterson #21 take the field for warmups before the game against the Washington Redskins at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Cardinals travel in Week 2 to play the Los Angeles Rams. You can expect the defense to play a bend but not break style.

The Arizona Cardinals will play their first road game of this young season on Sunday in Week 2. Arizona faces the defending NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams. The Cardinals defense will have to corral the explosive Rams offense. Currently, the Cardinals defense is nursing its bruises that they received in their season-opener. Washington was able to basically run at will.

Arizona can not afford to let Todd Gurley run to daylight. Gurley had an effective performance in week 1. He rushed for 108 yards on 20 carries for an average of 5.4 yards per carry. Gurley caught three passes for 39 yards. He is the focus of the Rams offense.

Expect Arizona to bend but not break defensively. The Cardinals secondary will have a tough job covering the other Rams receivers. They cannot give up the long pass and must contain everything to short yardage gains.

Last Sunday, the Cardinals defense gave up 429 total yards to Washington. They allowed 247 passing yards and 182 rushing yards. But, on the positive side, registered three sacks. Hopefully, the Arizona defense has a short memory.

Is there any chance for Arizona to steal a victory away from the home team, Rams? Los Angeles is expected to win. Arizona will have to create havoc and turnovers to win this game.

Sam Bradford is going to be facing a ferocious Rams defensive front seven. The Arizona offensive line will earn their paycheck this Sunday. Mike McCoy will have to get creative with his offensive game plan.

According to NFL.com’s NextGen Stats, Bradford only completed two passes longer than 15 yards. 18 passes were completed for less than 10 yards each. The Cardinals will have to find a way to vertically stretch the Rams secondary.

Next. 2018 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 2. dark

David Johnson will face a stacked box. If the Cardinals passing game can stretch the Rams defense, Johnson may have lanes to run through for big gains. Honestly, the battle in the trenches determines who controls the game.

Arizona lost the battle last week. It’s going to be a tougher battle in Los Angeles. Expect the defense to play bend but not break and hope they can force turnovers.

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