Earlier, they blanked the Los Angeles Chargers 26-14 in Week 1. Combined with the Rams game, the Cardinals’ defense has yielded an average of 15.0 points per game across both appearances at the venue. They also limited the opposition to under 200 net passing yards in each contest, yielding 187 against the Chargers and 194 versus the Rams.
Offensively, the Cardinals did enough to secure the Week 1 win, but the Week 6 victory over the Rams was more about steady ball control and tempo than big plays in the scoring column.
What Made the Cardinals’ SoFi Defensive Performance Work?
The Week 1 Chargers win served as an early indicator. The Chargers entered Week 6 ranked 26th in total offense with 1,464 yards. They have since faced another tough schedule, including a 22-6 loss to a strong opponent in Week 6.
More telling, however, is how the Cardinals contained the Rams’ offense. Before Week 6, the Rams had compiled 2,122 yards of total offense—the only team with more than 2,000 yards—and their passing output was top-ranked at 1,538 yards. Arizona’s defense limited big plays, allowing just one 20+ yard gain (a 43-yard catch by Puka Nacua) and preventing longer completions. They also bottled up the Rams’ running backs, Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, with long runs limited to 14 and 13 yards, respectively.
On offense, the Cardinals controlled the clock. They won the time of possession in the Rams game 34:52 to 25:08, and had a prior positive possession balance against the Chargers as well, emphasizing ball control. In Week 1, Arizona’s offense controlled the rhythm, setting the stage for continued efficiency.
Cardinals Must Maintain This Approach
There’s no mystique about playing at SoFi Stadium. The key for Arizona is consistency: when their defense keeps plays in front of them and prevents big chunk plays, the scores stay manageable. Offensively, maintaining ball control remains essential, especially with a quarterback who operates with a limited skill set. The path forward for the Cardinals is clear: replicate the disciplined, possession-focused game plan in upcoming weeks to sustain competitive results.
