Key to Rams’ victory: Kyren Williams should be the focal point in Week 17

The Los Angeles Rams will look to avenge their early season loss to the Arizona Cardinals this week. In Week 2, the Rams fell to the Cardinals 41-10, one of the biggest losses of the Sean McVay era. The Rams have gotten healthier and have won eight of their last 10 games. Here’s how the Rams can avoid being overwhelmed by the Cardinals for the first time since 2016.

1. Play disciplined on the edges and contain Kyler Murray

When it comes to playing against Kyler Murray in the Cardinals’ offense, it’s important for the Rams defense to keep him in check. That doesn’t mean Murray can’t win out of his own pocket. However, on the big plays, Murray tends to mix up and extend the play. That happened early in the season in Week 2, and the Rams need to prevent it from happening again.

This will really test the discipline and growth of Jared Verse. Verse’s worst game of the season arguably came against the Cardinals. He missed four tackles in that game and Murray got the best of him. We’ll see how much Verse has grown and if Murray surprises him again.

2. Continue physical football on offense

In recent weeks, the Rams have played the kind of physical football that tends to win in December and January. Running back Kyren Williams has run the ball 20 times or more in each of the last three games. To beat the Cardinals, they will have to lean on Williams and his physical football.

Since Week 13, the Cardinals rank 26th in run defense EPA and run defense success rate. Chuba Hubbard had 25 carries for 152 yards with two touchdowns last week. Two weeks earlier, Zach Charbonnet had 22 carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns as the Seahawks beat the Cardinals. The Rams will need a sharp version of Matthew Stafford down the stretch. However, if they can continue to stick to the physical style of football that they play and have success with, they will continue to be a difficult team to beat.

3. Tackle in the running game

This is similar to the first point, but the Rams had difficulty attacking James Conner in Week 2. In fact, Conner had six forced misses and 4.14 yards after contact. The Rams have been better on that side of the ball lately. With that in mind, Conner could also miss Saturday’s game due to a knee injury as he is listed as questionable.

A big change in the Rams’ run defense since the start of the season has been the personnel change at the linebacker position. Since Omar Speights replaced Troy Reeder in Week 7, the Rams’ run defense has ranked fifth in run defense success rate. They will be tested against one of the more efficient rushing offenses in the NFL.

4. Play good, situational football

When it comes to winning this time of year, playing good, situational football becomes more and more important. That will be the case over the next two weeks as the Rams potentially play two must-win games. To put it simply: The Rams need to win on third down and they need to win in the red zone. In Week 2, the Cardinals were 7-for-11, including conversions on third and 14. They also went 3-for-4 in the red zone.

This season, the Cardinals rank 31st in third-down defense as they allow a 44.4 percent conversion rate. The Rams need to win in the third period and protect Matthew Stafford in obvious passing situations.

5. Avoid giving up on the big game

In Week 2, the Cardinals had touchdowns of 23, 60 and 18 yards. Two of them would be considered explosives. The Rams defense has been better at defending deep balls in recent weeks. Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. struggled to see eye to eye. Harrison Jr. had 130 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams earlier in the season. The Rams have made some adjustments at the cornerback position, most notably cutting Tre White.

The Cardinals are one of the more explosive offenses in the NFL and will almost certainly test the Rams’ secondary. Unlike the last two weeks, the weather will not be in the Rams’ favor. The secondary must continue to be active with the ball and play disciplined on the field.