At 3-1 after win over Arizona, Rams must be taken seriously

At 3-1 after win over Cardinals, Rams must be taken seriously
By Alden Gonzalez

[www.espn.com]

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Perhaps it's time you take the Los Angeles Rams seriously.

They arrived at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday afternoon and came away with a 17-13 victory over a desperate team. The Rams are 3-1, in first place in the NFC West after having locked up victories against the Seattle Seahawks and, now, the Arizona Cardinals, the two teams widely expected to finish at the top of their division.

Thanks to a defense that forced five turnovers and a late drive that put them on top, the Rams beat a Cardinals team that had won four of the previous five matchups, claiming three of their first four games of the regular season for only the second time in the past 16 years.

Trailing 13-10 after giving away a multitude of chances to take control of the game on offense, the Rams finally got the spark they needed late. Aaron Donald and Eugene Sims combined for a sack of Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer with less than six minutes remaining, forcing Palmer to exit and the Cardinals to punt.

Tavon Austin, given a $42 million extension with the hope his production would increase, returned it 47 yards and gave the Rams the ball at the Cardinals' 19-yard line after a face mask was assessed to Ifeanyi Momah. Todd Gurley then found a way to get a first down, catching a quick out and gaining the necessary extra yardage after barely avoiding going out of bounds. Two plays later, Brian Quick made a leaping grab in the end zone. It was his second touchdown of the game after giving the Rams their first score with a 65-yard catch in the first quarter -- seven days after a 44-yard touchdown catch on the first drive in Tampa, Florida.

Drew Stanton filled in for Palmer on the next possession and Mark Barron came up with the interception that pretty much iced the game.

It was Barron's second interception in as many games and the defense's second on the afternoon. There was also a leaping catch in the end zone from Trumaine Johnson. And a fumble caused by backup defensive lineman Dominique Easley. And a sack-fumble caused by Donald. And another interception from T.J. McDonald with no time left, on a desperation throw from Stanton that clinched the third straight victory.

The Rams' defense has carried the team over the past three games, but the offense has progressively played better, even while Gurley -- 19 carries for only 33 yards in Week 4 -- still waits to get going.

The Rams have gone 12-for-27 on third down over the past two games, after going 6-for-27 in the first two. Keenum lost a fumble and missed some throws he should've made, but nonetheless finished 18-of-30 for 266 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Say what you want about Keenum, say what you want about the Rams -- they're 3-1 through the season's first quarter.

They're worthy of your attention.