The 3-0 Arizona Cardinals are cruising, but they’re about to hit a significant speedbump. In Week 4, a three-game gauntlet begins with a matchup against Sean McVay and the undefeated Los Angeles Rams. McVay has Arizona’s number, posting a perfect 8-0 record against them in his career.
However, this is the best Cardinals side that McVay has faced yet, on both sides of the ball. In some ways, this is also the best Rams team in recent years.
Gone is dart thrower Jared Goff, replaced by an elite quarterback talent in Matthew Stafford. Stafford’s arm talent has helped to unlock the full range of Mcvay’s offensive system. Contending with a host of elusive receivers and a quarterback with a vicious deep ball, third-year safety Jalen Thompson is vital in limiting Stafford in Arizona’s latest clash with McVay’s offense.
The Cardinals Need Safety Jalen Thompson to Play Big in Week 4
Stafford’s Arm Demonstrates Potency of McVay’s Offense
Matthew Stafford spent a decade stranded in Detroit. He only got to play with Calvin Johnson for half of that time. Yet Stafford remained consistent as one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks and is now thriving in one of the league’s most innovative offensive schemes. Stafford compliments McVay’s offense in a way that Goff’s arm couldn’t. He’s accurate to a tee, delivers the ball with an indefensible velocity, and has the potential to unleash a stunning deep ball.
Stafford’s performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, which earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, demonstrated the full range of his abilities.
Deep ball shots to DeSean Jackson have deservedly stolen the show so far during Stafford’s tenure in LA, but what is perhaps more impressive, or worrying to Cardinals fans, is the burgeoning relationship with Cooper Kupp. Kupp was one of Goff’s favorite targets; he has tremendous ability to find holes in defenses and is a potent RAC threat.
McVay’s offense is excellent at forcing defenses to play either down or deep, although Goff didn’t necessarily have the consistent deep-ball ability to win downfield. Now, Stafford’s arm strength threatens defenses vertically and creates up opportunities for Kupp underneath. This is reflected in Kupp’s league-leading twenty-five receptions through three weeks, including nine in Week 3.
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A Different Taste of McVay’s Offense For Arizona
For all of LA’s success so far this year, a vital part of their game, the ground attack, has taken a hit. LA ranked 11th in rush yards per game last season but, through three weeks, currently ranks 27th in 2021. The loss of Cam Akers before the season and injuries to Darrell Henderson has contributed to the decline.
Henderson is not expected to play against the Cardinals, which is just as well. He ran for 123 yards against Arizona last season, so his absence is significant, with Sony Michel likely to get the start.
McVay has accounted for the damage in his backfield by utilizing a range of screens. Targeting Kupp and tight end Tyler Higbee, the Rams have been successful in the screen game this season. Once again, Stafford’s arm has leveled up the potential of LA’s screen offense; his accuracy and quick delivery has allowed McVay to increase the complexity of his screen design, employing tunnel screens frequently.
Cardinals fans should expect to see star safety Budda Baker playing down in the box to combat the lateral efficiency of LA’s short game. However, the dynamism of Baker in this ‘Rover’ role puts all of the backend responsibility on Jalen Thompson. As the single-high safety, Thompson’s performance could define the game for Arizona.
Jalen Thompson Vital To Limiting Matthew Stafford
Thompson will have a significant responsibility against the Rams, but he has the range to be effective in this role. Primarily, Thompson will go head-to-head with Jackson and Stafford in defending the new deep-ball attack in the Rams offense.
Now, Thompson won’t be back there alone all game; defensive coordinator Vance Joseph does employ both two-deep and four-deep coverages in his system. However, Stafford’s ability to quickly create RAC opportunities for his receivers, including screens, will likely see Baker playing down to the line of scrimmage.
McVay’s offense is one the Cardinals have to keep in front of them. Thompson has to limit the effectiveness of Stafford’s deep ball in opening up the field for the Rams. Don’t get beat deep has to be the first priority. Understandably, this will open up space underneath, and in these pockets, Kupp has lept out to the lead in several league-wide statistical categories.
Yet the Cardinals aren’t simply giving up this underneath stuff. Baker’s shallow alignment will come into play, but Thompson’s ability to recognize play design and crash down on the football has been exceptional this season.
He has established himself as one of the team’s elite tacklers, especially in the open field. This will be key in bottling up Kupp and his playmaking potential after the catch.
This is the best Rams team the Cardinals have faced in some time; Stafford has made McVay’s offense elite. Yet the underrated Thompson will be an integral facet of Arizona’s attempt to contain the Rams quarterback. With a range on the back end to combat Stafford’s own, Thompson’s high and low ability can be the perfect antidote to the most potent facets of Sean McVay’s offense.
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