Arizona Cardinals: 5 bold predictions vs Rams

Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks to pass during the first half against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium

The Arizona Cardinals will be looking to get back on the winning track on Sunday afternoon, facing the Los Angeles Rams at 1:25 p.m. It will be the first game for the Cardinals against the Rams since the Rams moved back to Los Angeles.

After their loss to the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday, the Rams game won’t be able to get here fast enough. The Cardinals placed a couple of players, linebacker Alani Fua and tight end Troy Niklas, on the injured reserve this week. They also made several other roster moves.

So which Cardinals team will show up on Sunday? Will it be the one who floundered against the New England Patriots and the Bills or the one that dominated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

The Cardinals have started off slow in all three contests. It will be important to get off to a better start on Sunday. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 24-22 last season at University of Phoenix Stadium on the same first October weekend.

It is expected the Cardinals will play better. It shouldn’t be able to get much worse. Here are five predictions for this Sunday’s game.

Carson Palmer will take care of the ball

After giving away the ball four times this past Sunday, Palmer will come out with better focus and a better game plan. The Cardinals and their fans will be counting on it.

The Rams still are a formidable defense but after throwing four fourth quarter interceptions against the Bills, I can’t see Palmer having a second consecutive subpar game.

I’m not sure Palmer will get 300 yards passing but they won’t need it if they get balance. What will help Palmer in the case of protecting the ball will be the receivers running the correct routes.

The Cardinals can not rely on throwing the ball deep two out of every three plays. While it is fun to watch, the constant punting and turning the ball over is not worth it.

Palmer will still air it out from time to time but as long as they go in with a balanced game plan, then Palmer shouldn’t worry about interceptions. He needs to get back to the quarterback and MVP candidate he was up until the last couple of weeks of the 2015 season.

Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is tackled by St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

David Johnson rushes for 100 yards

Amazingly, Johnson was able to rush for 83 yards last Sunday against the Bills, despite the slow start. Johnson rushed for two touchdowns in the loss at Buffalo.

Johnson arguably was the best offensive player for the Cardinals on Sunday. Now facing the Rams, he will need to be better.

If Johnson ends up running the ball for over 100 yards then that means the Cardinals were able to find their balance. It means they had ball control and they held onto the ball.

Johnson said prior to the game against the Bills that he wanted to be legendary. So now it is his time to prove it in the Cardinals first divisional game of the 2016 season.

The Rams has a talented defense but so far they’ve averaged giving up 100 yards per game early on. They’ve given up 300 yards rushing total so far.

Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) picks himself off the ground after being sacked against the St. Louis Rams during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams won 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Palmer will be sacked at least four times

As much as Palmer will take care of the ball on Sunday, he may still end up running for his life at times. The Rams have one of the leagues better defensive lines.

That being said, they only have four sacks all season so far. The issue is the Cardinals offensive line, especially on the right side. Guys like A.Q. Shipley, D.J. Humphries, and Earl Watford need to step up their game.

Palmer was sacked five times against the Bills. I would love nothing more than for this prediction to not come true but how much can an offensive line change in seven days? Not much I would suspect.

For now, just improve week-to-week. As fans, that’s all we can ask for. Beware though, the Rams could be a sleeping giant just waiting to pounce on someone. Why not the Cardinals in their building?

Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) attempts a field goal against the St. Louis Rams during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams won 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Chandler Catanzaro hits a game-winning field goal

He missed a game-winner in week one. He missed an extra point in week two. In week three the Cardinals pass on him for a 54-yard field goal attempt in favor of a Drew Butler punt. Then later in the game, they go to Cat Man to hit a 60-yard field goal. Go figure.

So which Catanzaro will we see on Sunday? He’d better be darn near perfect. The Cardinals need a clutch kicker. With an expected tight game, this game will come down to the final minutes, much like it did in 2015 at UOP.

Catanzaro is going to get his day as he breaks a late-game tie with a game-winning field goal. If he does that, he might make a few people forget about week one against the New England Patriots, if not for at least a few minutes.

If Cat Man once again struggles this week either with field goals or extra points or even both, his days in Arizona may also be numbered. If there is something players on special teams learned over this past week is that the Cardinals will replace you in a hurry if you aren’t getting the job done.

Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) carrries the ball as St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins (21) defends during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

John Brown will catch a touchdown pass

One of the most talked about positions on offense over the past few days other than the quarterback, is receiver. The Cardinals receivers are not getting the job done.

One receiver in particular, John Brown, has not caught a touchdown pass yet in 2016. That is changing on Sunday against the Rams. He is due. Receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and Jaron Brown all have at least one touchdown so far early in the season.

We all know how fast John Brown can be. The Cardinals need to utilize his speed more. We’ve yet to see his explosiveness this young season.

He’ll hop on that touchdown train this Sunday though. He’s too good of a receiver to be denied for as long as he has already. If he wants that touchdown though, he needs to be on the same page as Palmer to get it done.