Rams at Cardinals
THE STORY: Admittedly it wasn't the greatest vote of confidence, but the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals were trendy preseason picks to win the less-than-impressive NFC West. After all, top overall pick Sam Bradford was coming off an impressive rookie season for St. Louis and new acquisition Kevin Kolb was expected to ignite Arizona's offense. Well, six-game losing skids have a way of curtailing title aspirations – not to mention injuries to the aforementioned quarterbacks. The Rams have been besieged by injury and limped through their first six games before stunning the New Orleans Saints with a 31-21 triumph last week. For its part, Arizona suffered six straight losses since its Week 1 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Last week, the Cardinals squandered a 21-point lead and dropped a 30-27 decision to the Baltimore Ravens. The two cellar-dwelling division rivals will vie for the right to stay out of the basement on Sunday.
TV: FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Cardinals -3.5, O/U 41.5
ABOUT THE RAMS (1-6): After missing the team's last two games, Bradford is questionable to play Sunday with a high ankle sprain. He struggled versus the Cardinals last season, throwing four interceptions in two games. Should Bradford be unable to play, backup A.J. Feeley will receive his third straight start. Regardless of who's playing quarterback, they'll be aided by a healthy Steven Jackson. The powerful Jackson rushed for 159 yards last week and will be leaned on again this Sunday.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS (1-6): Kolb was listed as doubtful due to both a sprain and a bone bruise in his foot to go along with turf toe. The collection of ailments will likely keep Kolb on the sidelines – thus bringing second-year pro John Skelton into the equation. Skelton started four games last season as a rookie. As for how he fared, well, let's just say the Cardinals couldn't wait to trade for Kolb in the offseason. Beanie Wells didn't have much of a burst last week after injuring his knee against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but still rushed 22 times for 83 yards and a touchdown.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. The Rams snapped an eight-game losing skid to the Cardinals with a 19-6 road win in their last meeting on Dec. 5, 2010.
2. If Arizona falls on Sunday, it will secure its second seven-game losing skid in as many years. After starting the 2010 campaign with three wins in five contests, the Cardinals have gone 3-15 since.
3. Arizona stud WR Larry Fitzgerald has 12 touchdowns in his last 13 games against St. Louis.