Looking at their records the past few years, the Thursday night matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and the St. Louis rams might seem like a dud. But even without the glitz and glamour of a Patriots-Ravens or Giants-Cowboys matchup, the game could turn out to be one of the best of the week.
The Cardinals enter the game 4-0 and are one of the most surprising teams in football, while the Rams are 2-2 and have showed potential with a crop of exciting young players like quarterback Sam Bradford.
Along with the Houston Texans and the Atlanta Falcons, the Cardinals are one of three unbeaten teams left in the league. If Arizona ends up with the victory, they will win their eighth straight game on the road.
After entering the season with quarterback drama between John Skelton and Kevin Kolb, the team has emerged as an offensive threat with Kolb at the helm. He has completed over 60 percent of his passes and has thrown for 752 yards and seven touchdowns with only two interceptions.
According to ESPN.com, Arizona has won 11 of their past 13 games, which is the best in the league over that time.
"There's no question chemistry is a big part of it," said coach Ken Whisenhunt to the Associated Press. "We started to develop that last year over that stretch and you could see it in training camp and the offseason. You never know what that's going to mean, but in some tough situations this year you've seen that come out. You've seen some guys believe in each other, work hard and to me that's what a team is all about."
The Cardinals have played a bunch of close games this year, winning three of their four by only seven points or less.
"We are a good team," said Whisenhunt. "We play well together and our guys make plays."
Last week the team squeaked by the Miami Dolphins 24-21 in overtime, overcoming 400 yards passing from Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill and 253 yards receiving from Brian Hartline.
The team was able to force overtime after a late touchdown from Kolb to receiver Andre Roberts. Jay Feely kicked a 46-yard field goal to keep the Cardinals undefeated.
"I don't know what it is with us that we have to take it to the last moment of the game, but we're winning and that's all that matters," said Roberts.
Receiver Larry Fitzgerald has been essential to the Cardinals success, catching 17 balls for 178 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games, according to ESPN.com. The team ranks low in most categories, including 25th in passing and 29th in rushing, but have played good enough on both sides of the ball to stay in games, and of course, to win them as well.
The Rams enter the game following a close 19-13 win against Seattle last Sunday.
First-year Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has already led the team to as many wins as last year and is hungry for more.
"They're excited to be able to play," said Fisher. "It's prime time and we hope things work out well for us."
The last two meetings between the teams were decided by three points and six points, both wins for the Cardinals. The Rams will try to buck that trend on Thursday behind running back Steven Jackson, who has struggled this year, gaining only 195 yards and scoring zero touchdowns.
"Right now, our kicker is the MVP of the season," said Jackson. "Pretty much, all we've got to do is get across the 50-yard line and we're in his range."
Jackson was referring to rookie kicker Greg Zuerlin, who has been stellar since getting drafted out of Missouri Western State. According to ESPN.com, the kicker has made all 12 field goals this season, including four in Sunday's game. He has hit kicks from 58 and 60 yards this season.
The Rams will have to improve on offense if they hope to score against a stellar Cardinals defense. Arizona currently ranks third in the league in points, allowing just 15.2 per game and has also recovered a league-high six fumbles, according to ESPN.com.
Arizona has had trouble all season rushing the ball, inly gaining 68 yards per game from running backs Ryan Williams and Beanie Wells. The team will look to exploit a weak Rams run defense that has allowed the 26th most yards in the league.
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