GLENDALE, Ariz. • The Rams’ defense has been making its black-and-blue mark for a couple of years now. It has earned NFL-wide respect by unleashing big hitters on recoiling opponents.
But the Rams’ offense lagged behind this season, often woefully so. The young linemen suffered predictable growing pains and rookie running back Todd Gurley had to clear his final rehab hurdles.
The offense officially caught up by delivering a 24-22 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
“The biggest thing for me is that we had to bail out the defense,” said guard Rodger Saffold, the elder statesman on an otherwise inexperienced line.