Yahoo! Sports · Dec 4, 2015
Without key players, Rams defense has faltered (The Associated Press)
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Defense has been carrying the St. Louis Rams most of the season.
The past few games, not so much.
The Rams (4-7) were ranked in the top 10, a goal they'd long aspired to, before getting routed 37-13 by the Bears three weeks ago and 31-7 by the Bengals last week.
Without outside linebacker Alec Ogletree and end Robert Quinn, they've been looking for playmakers.
''We want to play perfect every single Sunday,'' middle linebacker James Laurinaitis said. ''For whatever reason, we haven't held up our end of the bargain. Everyone has to do it.''
Especially this week. They're playing the Cardinals (9-2), who lead the NFL in offense and are averaging 32.3 points.
