The Los Angeles Rams have a chance to avenge their Week 6 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals when the teams meet again this weekend. Los Angeles enters the rematch on a three-game winning streak, but injuries to key players will test the team’s depth and adaptability.
The Rams will need a strong performance on both sides of the ball to turn that momentum into a win. With several top receivers sidelined, quarterback Matthew Stafford and head coach Sean McVay face an important challenge: finding ways to keep Arizona’s defense guessing.
## Rams Offense Must Adjust Without Puka Nacua
Los Angeles has dealt with injuries to several star players this season, and the latest setback involves Puka Nacua. The receiver injured his knee on the Rams’ final offensive play last week. His injuries include sprains to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL), as well as turf toe.
The Rams must now find ways to keep their offense productive while Nacua is unavailable. Los Angeles could lean more heavily on 13 personnel, using three tight ends to help create matchup opportunities and support the running game. Stafford will also need to distribute the ball among the available targets rather than depend on one receiver.
Stafford said he trusts the players who are being asked to step up. That confidence will matter against an Arizona defense the Rams need to keep off balance. McVay, meanwhile, has emphasized that energy and passion are expected from his team. He acknowledged that Los Angeles did not meet its own standards in the first meeting with the Cardinals.
The Rams will have to make better use of their play-calling and personnel this time. If McVay can vary the offense and involve multiple players in the passing game, Los Angeles may be better positioned to deal with Nacua’s absence.
## Defense Faces Another Test
The Rams may need to rely more heavily on their defense while the offense adjusts to its injuries. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula has overseen a strong season, but he knows the unit must improve on its first performance against Arizona if Los Angeles is to secure a different result.
In that earlier matchup, the Rams held the Cardinals to six field goals. That was a solid defensive effort, but it was not enough to win. Shula has stressed that the outcome means the performance was not good enough, and the rematch gives the defense another opportunity to make a difference.
Los Angeles received a major boost last week with the return of Myles Garrett, who had been on injured reserve. Garrett recorded three sacks against Washington, including a strip sack, as the Rams defeated the Commanders 20–13. His performance marked a powerful return after an earlier outing in which he was playing hurt.
The Rams are also hoping to get cornerback Trent McDuffie back. He has missed the past two games after injuring his back in Week 8. McDuffie has been rated the league’s third-best cornerback this season, with an 89.8 grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF), and his coverage has been a major strength. His return would be especially valuable with the secondary already missing another top cornerback.
Jaylen Watson is out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Josh Wallace and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. have stepped up in his absence, but McDuffie’s availability would give the Rams an important boost against Arizona.
## What Los Angeles Needs to Do
The Rams’ season is under pressure, and injuries have made the path to the playoffs more difficult. Still, Los Angeles has won three straight games since its loss to Arizona and has a chance to build on that run in the rematch. The Cardinals are led by Mike LaFleur, a former Rams offensive coordinator, adding another familiar connection to the contest.
Play-calling could be central to the outcome. McVay will need to keep Arizona’s defense from settling into a predictable rhythm, particularly with Nacua and other receivers unavailable. Stafford’s decisions will be just as important. Coming off an MVP season, he will be asked to steady the offense and make the most of the targets who are available.
The defense also has a clear task: improve on the performance that resulted in six Arizona field goals and create opportunities for the Rams to control the game. Garrett’s return has already shown how much one player can influence the pass rush, while a possible return from McDuffie could help stabilize the secondary.
Los Angeles has momentum, but the rematch will demand a complete effort. If Stafford spreads the ball effectively, McVay keeps the offense unpredictable, and the defense delivers another disciplined performance, the Rams will have a chance to avenge their Week 6 loss and continue their push toward the playoffs.
