In the past two games the St. Louis Rams have beaten the Detroit Lions and gave the undefeated New Orleans Saints a run for their money. This week the Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals at home in the Edward Jones Dome and I believe this is a referndum on where this team is and how far Steve Spagnuolo has risen this team. A win, or at the very least a competitive game, shows that the Rams have truly gotten better and will be a competitive team in the second half. 
A blowout or a non-competitive game against a division rival at home would show that the past two games were merely a mirage. No one is expecting a miracle in this second half but I think three wins is a realistic goal. The Arizona Cardinals give the Rams that opportunity this week. Here is a breakdown of this Sunday's game.
When the Rams have the ball
The biggest concern that the Rams are going to have on offense is that the Arizona Cardinals have a tremendous pass rush. The Cardinals have 25 sacks this season, 4th best in the NFL, and they get production from all over. Darnell Dockett, Chike Okeafor, and Bertrand Berry will be going after Alex Barron and could make for a long day for Marc Bulger. In the secondary the Cardinals are stout with Antonio Rodger-Cromartie, Antrel Rolle and Adrian Wilson who are all ball hawks. That being said the Cardinals are a high risk high reward defense. They surrender a lot of yards in the passing game, 30th overall. If the Rams had deep threats at wide receiver I would consider this a good opportunity. Steven Jackson might have a tough afternoon as well because the Cardinals are very good against the run, giving up only 101 yards per game, which is good enough for 8th best in the NFL.
When the Cardinals have the ball
Everyone in St. Louis obviously knows how good Kurt Warner is and he will be the key once again for the Arizona Cardinals. Warner has been very accurate again this season hitting on 67% of his passes, but his interception number is up this season as well, with 11. Warner has been great the past couple of weeks following the 5 interception performance two weeks ago. The Cardinals have been getting the ball into Larry Fitzgerald's hands more and more and he has killed the Rams the past couple of seasons. Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston are also good threats. The Cardinals continue to have problems running the football which is what seems to be holding this team back from being an elite team. Beanie Wells has made them significantly better in the running game in the past few weeks averaging over 5 yards a carry. 
If the Cardinals can get that part of their game going they have a real shot of making it back to the Super Bowl.
Special Teams
The Cardinals have St. Louisian Neil Rackers kicking for them. He has not been asked to do much this season from the field goal side of things but has only missed one. Ben Graham, the former Australian Rules kicker, is a terrific punter this season. The Cardinals also have a terrific punt return game with either Steve Breaston or Antrel Rolle. On kickoffs they are solid with LaRod Stephens-Howling.
Prediction
Each time I have started to drink the Kool-Aid on the Rams I have been burned this season. I think the Rams are starting to turn the corner a little bit. They have made some real strides in the past few weeks. Will it continue? That is the big question. I am going to buy in this week but I don't believe that the Rams will win. Cardinals 31 Rams 24.
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