Update: Skelton struggles, but Cardinals get the win

[Vin+ 3,121]

TIME: 04:15 P.M. EST

VENUE: University of Phoenix Stadium

 

 

 

JEFF MEZYDLO

 

STATS Senior Writer

 

Having finally earned their first victory of the season, the St. Louis Rams are cautiously optimistic that their success can continue.

 

The way the Arizona Cardinals have played, they can only hope they remember how to win.

 

Seeking a second straight victory, the visiting Rams look to hand the Cardinals a seventh consecutive loss Sunday in a matchup of teams tied for last place in the NFC West.

 

Despite playing with its backup quarterback and facing one the NFL's most potent offenses, St. Louis (1-6) pulled off a shocking 31-21 home win over New Orleans last Sunday. The outcome was all the more unbelievable considering the Rams had not scored more than 16 points this season and the Saints were coming off a 62-7 rout of Indianapolis.

 

"Hopefully, you build on that," coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "That's the hope.

 

"There's still plenty of work to do. We're certainly not blinded by the fact it's just one win."

 

The Rams, though, certainly have something to build on.

 

Steven Jackson rushed 25 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns while the defense recorded six sacks after totaling 11 the previous six contests.

 

"What's nice is you've been saying certain things to the football team all the way through this rough patch and what we thought they were capable of, and I think the players felt the same way," Spagnuolo said. "This is a little bit of the proof in the pudding, so to speak."

 

Despite the 0-6 start, St. Louis could now be in position to put together a winning streak. The combined record of the Rams' first seven opponents was 31-19, and the next four are 7-21.

 

St. Louis snapped an eight-game skid to the Cardinals (1-6) with a 19-6 road win Dec. 5.

 

"This Arizona team we're getting ready to play is going to be as tough a challenge as any of the seven we've already played. I really believe it," Spagnuolo said.

 

The Cardinals, though, are looking to avoid their second seven-game losing streak in as many seasons after blowing a 21-point second-half lead in a 30-27 defeat at Baltimore on Sunday.

 

Four of Arizona's six losses have been decided by four or fewer points.

 

"We're working hard to try to make sure we're taking care of business, and we haven't done that," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We're working hard to try to get that fixed."

 

The Cardinals hope quarterback Kevin Kolb is ready to go despite a bout with turf toe on his right foot. Kolb, who passed for 153 yards and a touchdown versus Baltimore, has thrown all eight of his interceptions in the last six games and been sacked an NFC-high 24 times this year.

 

"A lot of your power comes from that side of your foot," Kolb said, "When I had to take off and run I didn't feel it or anything. It probably was just nagging a little bit but nothing to throw me off my game."

 

If Kolb is unable to play, second-year pro John Skelton could get the nod. Skelton started four games late last season.

 

St. Louis also has issues at quarterback. Backup A.J. Feeley is 40 of 70 for 371 yards with a touchdown and an interception while starting the last two games in place of Sam Bradford, who has a high ankle sprain. Bradford, however, is no longer wearing a protective boot and could be nearing a return.

 

"He'll be day to day. He's getting there," Spagnuolo said. "This thing, these high ankle sprains, you never know."

 

Bradford threw for 440 yards with a TD and four interceptions in two games against the Cardinals in 2010.

 

Jackson hadn't had a 100-yard game since running for 102 with a TD at Arizona in December. He's averaged 99.7 yards in his last three contests against the Cardinals.

 

Arizona's Beanie Wells, who had 83 yards rushing and a touchdown despite a sore knee last Sunday, has run for 166 with two TDs in three career games versus St. Louis.

 

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press.

Edited November 7, 2011 by BLUE

[RazorStar 4,025]

This will be a good game to watch, looking forward to Chris Wells and Steven Jackson battling for ground supremacy.

[CARDINAL 205]

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Edited November 5, 2011 by Cardinal

[BigBen07 285]

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[Thanatos 2,847]

John Skelton is starting for Arizona, or so I've been told. And thus the Cards lose here. Rams will come back and win the division!

 

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[Vin+ 3,121]

Skelton time.

 

 

Beanie Wells is active for Sunday's game against St. Louis.

 

Kevin Kolb is the third-string, inactive quarterback behind John Skelton and Richard Bartel.

 

Other Cardinals inactives: OG Deuce Lutui, WR Stephen Williams, FS Kerry Rhodes, FB Anthony Sherman, OLB Joey Porter, and TE Rob Housler.

 

Todd Heap is finally back from a hamstring strain. Wells should be comfortably inserted into fantasy lineups as a borderline RB1.

 

 

 

Sam Bradford is active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals and has been announced as the Rams' starter.

 

A.J. Feeley will be the backup, and the Rams activated Tom Brandstater as a "precaution" to keep three quarterbacks up for the game. Bradford will play with a "thin brace" on his previously injured ankle.

 

The Rams' inactives are WR Danario Alexander, LB Bryan Kehl, CB Rod Hood, RB Jerious Norwood, RT Jason Smith, TE Stephen Spach, and DT Darell Scott.

[BLUE 1,026]

Per Rotoworld.com:

 

John Skelton completed 20-of-35 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown as the Cardinals knocked off the Rams in Week 9.

He also led Arizona in rushing with 38 yards on four scrambles, mostly coming out of the spread. The Cardinals went into a four- and five-receiver offense late in the game, possibly because they didn't have any healthy, effective tight ends. While Skelton did hit Larry Fitzgerald for a pair of big receptions late, including a 13-yard score, this was a much worse performance than the "W" indicates. Skelton often looked uncormortable in the pocket, his throws were all over the place, and he took two safeties. There's little question that Kevin Kolb will be Arizona's starting quarterback when healthy. Nov 6 - 7:51 PM