The Cardinals already have clinched the NFC West title, and there’s little chance of them grabbing a higher playoff seed. So the two goals today against the hapless Rams are simple: Stay sharp and stay healthy.
RAMS at CARDINALS
When: 2 p.m. today
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium
TV/Radio: Channel 10/KTAR (620 AM)
Records: Arizona 9-5, St. Louis 1-13
Cards look for first 10-win season since '76
THE SKINNY
The Cardinals already have clinched the NFC West title, and there’s little chance of them grabbing a higher playoff seed. So the two goals today against the hapless Rams are simple: Stay sharp and stay healthy. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he’ll play his starters, but don’t be surprised if Matt Leinart gets some extended playing time so Kurt Warner can rest up for the postseason. The Rams? The less said the better.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. Keith Null is the Rams’ starting quarterback. That’s right. Keith Null. If you haven’t heard of him, well, join the crowd. He was St. Louis’ sixth-round pick this year out of West Texas A&M. The Cardinals’ defensive players gorged on Christmas day. They could do the same Sunday, given St. Louis’ offense is Null and Void.
2. This is the perfect game to establish Beanie Wells as the No. 1 back and give him the ball 15 to 20 times. Wells is a terrific talent – as long as he holds onto the ball – and the more confidence the Cardinals can have in their running game heading into the postseason, the better they’ll be.
3. Arizona undoubtedly will stack the box with an additional defender or two to slow down Rams’ running back Steven Jackson, the team’s lone offensive threat. That will put the game in Null’s hands, and that’s a bet the Cardinals are fairly confident they’ll win.
STARTING LINEUPS
Cardinals offense
WR Larry Fitzgerald
LT Jeremy Bridges
LG Reggie Wells
C Lyle Sendlein
RG Deuce Lutui
RT Levi Brown
TE Stephen Spach
WR Anquan Boldin
QB Kurt Warner
RB Tim Hightower
FB Dan Kreider
Cardinals defense
DE Calais Campbell
DT Bryan Robinson
DE Darnell Dockett
OLB Chike Okeafor
MLB Karlos Dansby
MLB Gerald Hayes
OLB Clark Haggans
RCB Bryant McFadden
LCB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
SS Adrian Wilson
FS Antrel Rolle
Rams offense
WR Danny Amendola
TE Randy McMichael
LT Alex Barron
LG John Greco
C Jason Brown
RG Mark Setterstrom
RT Adam Goldberg
WR Donnie Avery
QB Keith Null
FB Mike Karney
RB Steven Jackson
Rams defense
LDE Leonard Little
LDT Darell Scott
RDT Clifton Ryan
RDE Chris Long
WLB David Vobora
MLB James Laurinaitis
SLB Quinton Culberson
CB Ronald Bartell
SS James Butler
FS Craig Dahl
CB Quincy Butler
