The Los Angeles Rams have alternated wins and losses all season, and the pattern says Sunday is a win. Puka Nacua and the NFL’s top-yardage offense should be able to move the ball on anyone, but the 2-3 record is proof that yards haven’t been the issue.
The Arizona Cardinals arrive at SoFi Stadium at 1-4 with an offense built around one tight end and a pass rush that hasn’t found its footing. These six players decide whether the Rams get back to .500.
Make players for the Rams
Puka Nacua, wide receiver
Nacua caught 17 passes on 24 targets against Buffalo, a Monday Night Football record, per the Deseret News. He has 31 catches for 337 yards in three games, and he’s become the first player in Rams history with multiple 15-catch games.
Arizona ranks last in the league in net yards per pass attempt allowed, per Pro Football Reference, and the secondary is thin with safeties Wydett Williams Jr. and Andrew Wingard missing practice. “Appreciate being a teammate of (Nacua’s) and really everybody that caught passes tonight,” Matthew Stafford said after the Bills game, per the Rams team site.
Kyren Williams, running back
Williams has 343 rushing yards, 4.9 yards per carry and four touchdowns, plus 27 catches, according to his Pro Football Reference page. His 27 catches have him tied with Davante Adams for second on the team behind Nacua.
Arizona’s run defense ranks 23rd in yards allowed, and Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 151 yards and two scores against it last week, in the 45-21 loss. A steady diet of Williams keeps Stafford out of obvious passing downs behind a reshuffled line, and it gives David Quessenberry help in the form of play-action and quick throws. Blake Corum is there to spell him with 181 yards of his own.
Byron Young, outside linebacker
With Myles Garrett still on injured reserve, Young is the edge rusher Arizona has to account for. He has 3.5 sacks and six quarterback hits in four games, per Pro Football Reference, after posting 12 sacks in 2025.
Arizona’s right tackle is Elijah Wilkinson and the left side is a rookie seventh-rounder, according to Yahoo Sports. If Young wins early, the Cardinals’ already limited playbook shrinks even more. Jacoby Brissett holds the ball longer than almost any starter in the league, which gives Young an extra beat to finish.
Break players for the Cardinals
Trey McBride, tight end
McBride leads all tight ends with 53 targets and has a 109.7 passer rating when targeted, per his PFF player page. Everything in Arizona’s passing game runs through him, and he leads all tight ends in routes run.
The good news for the Rams’ tacklers is that McBride averages only 2.4 yards after the catch, 31st of 32 tight ends. He still caught nine passes for 66 yards and a touchdown against Detroit, according to the Week 5 box score, and Arizona will feed him on third down. The Rams need clean, sure tackles in space to keep those catches from becoming drive-extenders.
Michael Wilson, wide receiver
Wilson topped 1,000 receiving yards last season and caught a touchdown against the Rams in the Week 18 finale, per All Cardinals. He has 29 catches for 288 yards this season, and the targets should only climb from here.
With Marvin Harrison Jr. gone, Wilson is the top perimeter target, and Mike LaFleur wants his receivers winning against man coverage. If the Rams’ corners lose a few of those reps, Wilson is the one player who can flip field position with a single throw.
Josh Sweat, outside linebacker
Sweat posted 12 sacks in 2025 but has one sack and two quarterback hits through five games this year, per Pro Football Reference. He rested Wednesday and was a full participant Thursday, so he should be fresh for a matchup the Cardinals have circled.
His matchup is the one Rams fans should watch. David Quessenberry played 18 offensive snaps last season and none at left tackle, filling in for Alaric Jackson. One strip-sack from Sweat is the quickest way for Arizona to steal a game it has no business winning on paper.
The Rams average 424.4 yards per game, and Arizona hasn’t stopped anyone in a month. Kickoff is 4:05 p.m. ET on FOX, and the Rams carry the highest stakes in the division if they let this one slip.
More on the Los Angeles Rams
- Myles Garrett Stood Out on the Rams Sideline Monday for a Reason Unrelated to Football
- Aaron Donald’s 111 Career Sacks Meet One of the NFL’s Slowest Triggers in Jacoby Brissett
- Mike LaFleur Is Dreaming of Man Coverage: 4 Things Rams Fans Should Know About the Cardinals
- Here’s What Should Scare the Los Angeles Rams About the Arizona Cardinals
