The Los Angeles Rams are hoping to end their two-game losing streak against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 18. Los Angeles is looking to enter the playoffs on a high while Arizona has already booked their offseason vacation plans.
Ahead of an important matchup for the Rams, I spoke with Seth Cox from Revenge of the Birds to discuss the unstoppable Trey McBride, what the Cards might be targeting in this year’s draft and more.
Q – Last time we spoke, you said you believed Johnathan Gannon would return in 2026. Gannon himself has expressed confidence that he’ll return next season, so has anything changed in your mind regarding his job security?
A – I mean, it seems like it based on the posts on the internet that yes, he will be back.
I think there are a couple of factors at play:
The reality is, if they run it back, it will be one of the worst PR moves ever, but everyone would forget about it if they finally win. It just seems unlikely for a coach who has two wins total in his career without Kyler Murray starting.
Q – Tight end Trey McBride has been the lone bright spot on the team. Against the Bengals in Week 17, he set an NFL record for TEs with 119 receptions and counting. How should the Rams’ secondary go about trying to slow him down?
A – Why? I mean this in a complimentary way, but McBride is putting up these absurd numbers and it has zero impact on the outcome of the game, so why worry about slowing him down? All you have to do is let McBride eat, let Jacoby cook in garbage time, and win by 25+ points.
Truthfully, McBride is going to get force-fed targets, so it doesn’t matter what you do; it just matters how and where you make him the priority.
Q – Arizona is slated to pick No. 5 in next year’s draft, according to Tankathon. Who do you predict the Cards take with the pick?
A – Someone who is injured? I only slightly kid, but the Cardinals first round picks under Monti Ossenfort:
Paris Johnson Jr. – 43 out of 51 possible games, and only 14 last year and 12 this year.
Marvin Harrison Jr. – 29 out of 34 games, only 12 this year and he has left two games early with injuries this year.
Darius Robinson – 21 out 34, including only six his rookie season last year and barring something before Sunday, he’ll play in 15 this year.
Walter Nolen – six games played this year. And ended with a mysterious knee injury that required surgery that we have no idea about because Jonathan Gannon is the worst in dealing with injuries.
I think an offensive lineman makes the most sense, but also they desperately need talent on defense that has been abysmal under a defensive head coach.
Q – With Arizona having looked ahead to next season weeks ago, what are three things that you’d like to see happen this offseason?
A – 1. Move on from Jonathan Gannon and his staff
2. Hire Klint Kubiak and allow him to bring in a staff with some veterans and some young up-and-comers.
3. Draft along the lines on both sides of the ball.
I don’t think one and two will happen, so focusing on fixing the lines if they do run it back with Gannon will set up whoever the next sacrificial lamb of a head coach is for this franchise.
Q – What must the Cardinals do to end their eight-game losing streak on Sunday?
A – Prepare for next year? I mean genuinely, if the Cardinals win this game it would be among the biggest upsets in NFL history. The Rams are fighting for playoff positioning, have aspirations of one more Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford and company and have maybe the best head coach in the NFL.
The Cardinals are a team who have actively quit trying for weeks, have a quarterback who has won two games in his last 16 starts, have a head coach who may be the worst in the NFL and is on pace to have the worst record in Arizona Cardinals history for a coach.
I just hope it’s not as embarrassing as last time, but I don’t exactly have high hopes in that aspect.
I do have a small bone to pick with you guys.
I vouched for the Rams as the class of the NFC West, and maybe the NFC as a whole, what the heck!?!
I know you’ve been asking yourself that so I won’t belabor the point, but man, why do y’all always crap the bed before getting right against this sorry ass franchise?
