Arizona enters Week 15 fresh off a 17-14 victory against Kansas City, a win that improved the Cards to 7-0 at home this season. The Cardinals’ seven home wins are the most for the franchise in a single season since 1925, when the team won 11 of its 13 home games.
The Cardinals have won at least 10 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1975-76, and can clinch a playoff berth this week with a win combined with other scenarios.
With three weeks remaining, the Cardinals remain in control for home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a chance to be become the first team to play a Super Bowl at its home stadium.
“The 10th win is a big win,” said head coach Bruce Arians. “We’re not satisfied with 10, though. This team has something special about it. We’ve got a really tough stretch down the road, but I like where we’re at.”
Arizona quarterback Drew Stanton has continued to fill in admirably for injured starter Carson Palmer, throwing for 239 yards last week, including the game-winning 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaron Brown late in the third quarter. Stanton has won four times as a starter this season.
“You have to love the NFL schedule,” said Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. “You want a tough game against a great football team. St. Louis again played a really good game and those guys are rolling right now. It’s always tough to play there, but we’re going to be ready for the occasion.”
Fitzgerald enters this week’s matchup with 358 receptions for 4,697 receiving yards with 38 touchdowns against the NFC West since entering the league in 2004, the most of any player against his own division during that span. Against St. Louis, Fitzgerald has 131 receptions and 16 touchdowns, the most against any opponent in his career. In his past three meetings versus the Rams, Fitzgerald has 29 catches for 288 yards and three touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the suddenly hot St. Louis Rams aim for their third consecutive victory following a 24-0 win at Washington.
St. Louis has recorded back-to-back shutout victories for the first time since 1945, including last week’s win at Washington. In doing so, the Rams became the first team to post consecutive shutout victories since 2009 (Dallas, December 27 and January 3).
“We are really focused in well right now and I thought it was huge to get two wins in a row,” said Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis. “We have to challenge ourselves really hard the next three days in preparation for Arizona on Thursday night. We have to lock it in, and keep this thing going. There’s definitely momentum right now, and we just have to keep fighting and keep stacking wins.”
Laurinaitis (1.5), rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald (one), and defensive end Robert Quinn (1.5) combined for four of the Rams’ seven sacks against Washington. Donald (Round 1, No. 13 overall) leads all rookies with seven sacks in 2014. Quinn’s 10.5 sacks lead the Rams and rank fourth in the NFC. For the season, St. Louis is tied for third in the NFC with 35 sacks.
In addition, the Rams enter this contest having scored 83 unanswered points, the longest consecutive points streak in the NFL since 1992 (Buffalo).
On offense, rookie running back Tre Mason (Round 3, No. 75 overall) leads all NFC rookies with 628 rushing yards. In his past three games at home, Mason has 363 scrimmage yards (315 rushing, 48 receiving) and has scored four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving).
The Rams' special teams are also on a roll, as talented Tavon Austin also had a 78-yard punt return touchdown last week.
“This is a familiar opponent that’s playing well,” said head coach Jeff Fisher about the Cardinals. “They’re a good football team.”
Arizona Cardinals
OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)
Monday
S Tyrann Mathieu (thumb)
Tuesday
S Tyrann Mathieu (thumb)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Monday
CB Antonio Cromartie (ankle), G Paul Fanaika (ankle)
Tuesday
G Paul Fanaika (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Monday
LB Lorenzo Alexander (knee), WR Larry Fitzgerald (knee), LB Larry Foote (foot), LB Matt Shaughnessy (shoulder), QB Drew Stanton (ankle, knee), DT Ed Stinson (toe), T Jared Veldheer (ankle)
Tuesday
LB Lorenzo Alexander (knee), CB Antonio Cromartie (ankle), WR Larry Fitzgerald (knee), LB Larry Foote (foot), LB Matt Shaughnessy (shoulder), QB Drew Stanton (ankle, knee), DT Ed Stinson (toe), T Jared Veldheer (ankle)
St. Louis Rams
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Monday
WR Kenny Britt (not injury related), DT Alex Carrington (thigh), LB Will Herring (foot), LB James Laurinaitis (ankle), DE Chris Long (ankle), G Rodger Saffold (shoulder), C Scott Wells (elbow)
Tuesday
DE Chris Long (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Monday
TE Cory Harkey (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Tuesday
WR Kenny Britt (not injury related), DT Alex Carrington (thigh), TE Cory Harkey (knee), LB Will Herring (foot), LB James Laurinaitis (ankle), G Rodger Saffold (shoulder), C Scott Wells (elbow)
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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