Cardinals vs. Rams game preview: Stats, records, connections

When the Arizona Cardinals take on the St. Louis Rams, they have the chance to start the season 5-0. They face a 2-2 Rams team that statistically is not too different from the Cards. However, the Rams have been the wrong end of seven straight games in St. Louis. The Cardinals could get an eighth straight road won over the Rams, which would extend a franchise record.

Back to the stats. The Cards average 271 yards of offense per game. The Rams average 287. The Cards give up 357 yards a game (after the Ryan Tannehill treatment) and the Rams give up 348. However, the points are different. The Cardinals have scored 91 and the Rams 78. The Cards have allowed 61 and the Rams 91.

The last time these two teams played, Patrick Peterson had his fourth punt return touchdown of the season to give Arizona a 10-point lead. However, the defense gave up the lead and St. Louis tied the game with a little over a minute left. The game went into overtime and the Cards won on a Jay Feely field goal.

It was the game when Beanie Wells ran for a franchise record 228 yards. Beanie is on injured reserve, so he will not play, but Ryan Williams has the opportunity to exploit the Rams rush defense. The Rams are 26th in the league in stopping the run.

Connections? The only player that played for the other team is Cardinals linebacker Paris Lenon, who played for the Rams in 2009. However, Cardinals president Michael Bidwill was born and raised in St. Louis (since at the time the Cardinals were in St. Louis).

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