Arizona Cardinals

5 Questions For Los Angeles Rams Heading Into Week 4 Against Arizona Cardinals

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:45 p.m. ET

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Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) hands the ball off to running back Todd Gurley (30) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

With an important game in the division against the Arizona Cardinals scheduled for Sunday, here’s five questions for the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.

After failing to score a single touchdown over the first two games, the Los Angeles Rams enter Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals with a 2-1 record as they currently sit on top of the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks.

While the Rams are off to a solid start, this young season has been a frustrating one for the Cardinals as the team is off to a 1-2 start as they’re coming off a disappointing performance on the road against the Buffalo Bills. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, this could cause plenty of trouble in Week 4 as Arizona will be extra motivated to come up with a win, and avoid digging a deeper hole at the bottom of the division.

These teams split the two meetings in 2015, but things will be much different this time around between the Rams and Cardinals. Arizona entered the regular season as one of the favorites in the NFC to make a run at the Super Bowl, but Los Angeles is looking to prove they deserve to be in talks to compete for the division title as well.

Without wasting any more time, here’s a look at five questions surrounding the Rams heading into their Sunday matchup against the Cardinals.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) catches the ball and runs it in for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Which Tavon Austin Will Show Up?

After finding the end zone a total of 10 times in 2015, the Rams were hoping to see a breakout season from Tavon Austin this year, but the wide receiver was off to a disappointing start over the first two games. From his inability to make plays to numerous dropped passes, Austin looked like anything but a player capable of being the team’s No. 1 wide receiver.

Luckily, Austin made Los Angeles feel better about their $42 million investment after making an impact on offense against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 by catching five passes for 82 yards. Austin even caught a key 43-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that ended up being a deciding factor in the outcome in the game, but it’s up to the wideout to carry that momentum over against the Cardinals.

When looking at all of the weapons on Arizona’s offense, Los Angeles may have to score more than 30 points if they’re going to have any chance of winning this one. The Cardinals are smart enough to know just how much of a threat Austin can be for the Rams on offense, and let’s hope he can provide the same type of impact–if not better–for his team once again.

Otherwise, Los Angeles could be in for a long afternoon.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) works out prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Will Todd Gurley Have Another Strong Performance?

Just like Austin, fans were feeling frustration towards Todd Gurley over the first two games after the running back failed to get anything going against the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. While the running back is still waiting to record his first 100-yard game of the young season, it was good to see Gurley find the end zone for the first time in Week 3 against the Buccaneers.

In fact, Gurley managed to score two touchdowns against the Tampa Bay on his way to recording 85 rushing yards on 27 carries. The former first-round pick could have performed better when it comes to yards-per-carry, but the important factor is this marked the first time in three games that Gurley was effective in the ground game.

The only chance Los Angeles is going to have at winning the division this year is if Gurley can carry the load on offense like he did during his rookie season. Expectations were high for Gurley prior to the start of the season after taking home Rookie of the Year honors in 2015, but he still has a long way to go if he’s going to be a top-five running back this season.

If LeSean McCoy managed to have a field day against Arizona’s rushing defense last weekend, there’s no reason why Gurley shouldn’t be able to do the same on Sunday.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Mike Davis (22) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines (33) in the fourth quarter at Levi

Can E.J. Gaines Make an Impact Against Arizona’s Receiving Corps?

After missing all of last season, expectations were high for E.J. Gaines entering his third year with the Rams, but a quad injury has prevented the cornerback from making the type of impact he was hoping to make during his third year with the team.

As of now, all signs point to Gaines being ready to go for Sunday’s divisional game against the Cardinals, but whether the cornerback can be effective right off the bat is a different story. When looking at the weapons on Arizona’s offense such as Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd, the Rams are going to need all of the help they can get on the defensive side of the ball if they have any intention of pulling off this upset on the road.

A Lisfranc injury prevented Gaines from playing at all during his sophomore season in 2015, but Los Angeles knows exactly what he’s capable of when looking at the 15 games he started as a rookie the year before. Gaines realizes this is his time to shine for the defense, and here’s to hoping there’s no more complications from the quad injury that’s already been frustrating to deal with over the last two months.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (52), strong safety T.J. McDonald (25) and free safety Maurice Alexander (31) group tackle Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Is There Concern Over the Rams’ Defense?

If it wasn’t for the defense, there’s no chance the Rams would have managed to win seven games during the 2015 season, and Jeff Fisher knows the unit is going to play a key role in the team’s success once again this year.

It’s only been three games, but this has already been a roller-coaster season for the Rams’s defense when looking at all of the inconsistency. One week after allowing the 49ers to score 28 points, the Rams came back strong against the Seahawks by holding Russell Wilson and company to scoring just three points.

So what happened last weekend against the Buccaneers? Well, let’s just say it’s a good thing the offense for Los Angeles found a way to get out of their slump, or there’s no way this team would have come up on the winning end against Tampa Bay.

Not many teams are going to win games in which they allow their opponent to put up 32 points, but the Rams did against the Buccaneers. This may have worked against a team like Tampa Bay, but this team better realize they won’t be winning Sunday’s game if they allow Arizona’s offense to put up similar numbers.

With the chance to gain even more ground in the NFC West, let’s hope the defense plays like they did in Week 2 against Seattle to help Los Angeles make another statement in the division.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) drops back during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Will Case Keenum Continue to Make a Case?

With the way things have gone so far this season, it’s easy to assume the starting job at quarterback is Case Keenum‘s to lose at this point.

The quarterback was named the starter over Jared Goff prior to the start of the regular season, and while the veteran seemed to be the best choice for this team to win now, Keenum’s numbers haven’t stood out like other starters in the league. Keenum may have only completed 14 of 26 passes for 190 yards with two touchdowns and an interceptions against the Buccaneers, but it’s tough to ignore he’s helped this team jump out to a 2-1 start on the season.

After the offense scored four touchdowns against Tampa Bay, it’s up to Keenum to make sure Los Angeles finds similar success against Arizona.

Keenum knows his time with the Rams is only temporary, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t playing to prove he’s deserving of a hefty contract with another team once the organization is ready to hand the keys to Goff. When looking at the potential of a high-scoring game by the Cardinals, it’s up to Keenum to make sure Los Angeles finds the end zone as much as they did in Week 3 instead of avoiding touchdowns like the first two weeks.