Johnson, Arizona defense thrive in 27-3 win over Rams

Though the chances for the Seahawks to catch the Cardinals in the division got a lot more dreary after Arizona beat them in Seattle, the truth is that this isn’t all too unfamiliar territory: The Seahawks were down three games in the division with six games left to go last season, and now they are down three games with five games to go.

Cardinals insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman preview the game between the Cardinals and the Rams. Palmer has been impressive all season long, but he will take his game to a new level this week against a Rams defense that has given up some big plays this season. “Can’t find much to complain about”. Since suffering a myriad of injuries on both sides of the ball, however, the Rams have struggled mightily and are now just trying to do everything in their power to avoid losing out and going 4-12 this year. Quarterback Nick Foles threw for 228 yards in 30 of 46 passes. He rushed the ball 6 times for 9 yards. The defensive tackle broke through the line to get to Palmer for his eighth sack of the season, bringing the signal-caller down at the St. Louis 37 for a 4-yard loss.

“I have to be positive about it”, Foles said. I have them winning this game. “There is so much I wish I could have done to change what happened today, but the sun will come up tomorrow and I’ll work as hard as I can to help us win next week”. Louis was on the rise, and running back Todd Gurley exploded for his first hundred yard game of the season. When Todd Gurley plays poorly, the Rams lose.

“We’re all disappointed and frustrated right now”, Gurley said. “He’s feeling better, feeling good, but he’s not completely cleared”, Rams coach Jeff Fisher told reporters. He’s up to 2,476 yards and 20 touchdowns against 11 interceptions this season, and also has the benefit of playing with two top-15 fantasy wide receivers in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not revealed details of the injury.

Carson Palmer is the primary reason the Cardinals are relevant in the home field advantage picture for the playoffs. Rams replacement K Zach Hocker strained a quad before kickoff so P Johnny Hekker handled kickoffs for the first time since high school.

On the drive, the Rams lost starting cornerback Janoris Jenkins when he was hit by teammate T.J. McDonald on a pass completion.

The spark was expected to be the return of quarterback Case Keenum, but Keenum is reportedly still undergoing concussion protocol. His status for next week’s visit from Detroit isn’t known.

Other inactives for the Rams are quarterback Sean Mannion, offensive lineman Andrew Donnal (knee), center/guard Brian Folkerts (Hazelwood Central) and defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks.

Earlier this week, NFL Thursday Night Football saw the Green Bay Packers take on the Detroit Lions, and although it looked like the Lions had the game in the bag, a spectacular comeback in the second half by the Packers saw them take the spoils to move to 8-4.

Arizona added a late field goal to go up 27-3 and close out the scoring.