Rookie David Johnson steps to forefront of Cardinals offense

However, as the Cardinals ground out a 19-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, that running game was decimated by injury as the Cardinals lost each of their top two running backs.

It was nearly written in stone that Seattle would reach a third straight Super Bowl after acquiring Jimmy Graham from New Orleans. He first got hurt in the opening game of the season, and the fact he was absent for the next three weeks that followed opened the door for teammates Chris Johnson and David Johnson to take over.

PREDICTION: Too many things have to go just right for the Rams, who can play dominating defense but rarely for four quarters as the offense fails to hold up its end of the bargain.

Williams and Taylor are solid backups, and Ellington, if and when he gets healthy, is risky in the opening field. They are better with him than without, but losing him won’t directly result in a short playoff appearance.

Before he received an MRI, Chris thought it was a bruise and was planning on sitting out for a week for it to heal, Arians said. “You know, it’s different to replace Adrian Peterson or a couple guys like that”.

But it’s areas that can’t be tracked by statisticians and deep metrics where the Cardinals say they will miss Johnson most. St. Louis upset the Cards 24-22 in Glendale in Week 4 to hand Arizona its first loss of the year.

Rookie vs rookie, Todd Gurley vs David Johnson, I think one of these backs will have a huge game on Sunday.

The Rams’ ability to be competitive begins with the offensive line creating holes for rookie RB Todd Gurley. Gurley has to step up for the Rams to win this game and he is ready to do just that if he gets the necessary touches. He rushed for 146 yards against Arizona earlier this year, with 144 of it coming in the second half.

Arizona can move the ball through the air against anyone – provided it can protect QB Carson Palmer.

Winning division games isn’t the only way to achieve success as the Cardinals have proven this season with a 6-1 record outside the NFC West. It also doesn’t guarantee a playoff berth. Even though the Cardinals defense hasn’t produced a lot of sacks, it has averaged at least one interception and one forced fumble per game.

Those aren’t the only numbers that define defensive linemen, but with the unit depleted through injury, Arizona could sure use a breakout game from Campbell on Sunday. Not only is he a rookie running back, but Johnson is a small scat back.

Campbell’s been a bit quiet this season, hasn’t he?