ARIZONA CARDINALS @ ST. LOUIS RAMS 
Vegas Line: Cardinals + 2.5
Rob’s Line: Cardinals + 2.5
Doesn’t it seem like just like about three weeks ago that these two last played each other? It’s because it was. They played out a 13-13 tie over four quarters before Cards’ rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson returned a punt 99 yards in overtime to seal Arizona’s second win of the season.
Peterson that day became the first player in NFL history to have three punt returns for scores in his first eight games and as if that wasn’t enough, that punt return was just the second in NFL history to come in overtime. I find that stat quite incredible, but the only other one came on October 9, 1995, when Tamarick Vanover returned a punt 86 yards as Kansas City beat San Diego.
For a team struggling at 2-8 through what is a season steeped in disappointment, the Rams rank a respectable ninth in defending the pass and that has a lot to do with what happens up front and the disruptive forces that are defensive end Chris Long and inside linebacker James Laurinaitis. They’re the joint heartbeat of the defense, but both are questionable this Sunday and should they be out, it evens up the fact somewhat that this is Arizona’s third consecutive road game. That last stat alone makes me immediately wary of tipping the Cardinals and should you think that makes St. Louis a good thing then you won’t find me arguing back. However, the Rams make relatively easy reading after you’ve played (and won) in Philadelphia and then gone cross country to take on the 49ers, a game I didn’t think they’d lose by sixteen.
After impressing since replacing Kevin Kolb at quarterback, John Skelton was horrible in San Fran last week and was replaced by the little known Richard Bartel. Kolb may return this week and he’s extremely optimistic of doing so, but if he doesn’t, Skelton will get the start once again.
St. Louis struggled massively last week and that’s even after they picked off Seattle QB Tarvaris Jackson’s first two passes. Running back Steven Jackson came up against a strong Seahawk run defense and his biggest fears were realised, but he should find a lot more room this week against a Cardinals run D that ranks 24th.
Quarterback Sam Bradford wasn’t happy after last week’s defeat and that’s unsurprising considering he was hounded for most of it and his thoughts right now should be about who’ll protect him for the rest of the season as he’s got to do without both of his starting tackles for the remaining six games; Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith are now both on injured reserve and the Rams lack sufficient depth to deal with this adequately.
This one is difficult to call and I almost want to flip a coin to decide. I don’t like Bradford’s protection much, but I do like Jackson’s chances of racking up some serious yards and that aforementioned third consecutive road game for Arizona means I lean towards the home team to cover.
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