The Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals got off to very different starts this season. The Rams were blown out by the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, while the Cardinals pulled off a stunning upset over the Los Angeles Chargers – though that win doesn't look as shocking in hindsight.
They'll now meet for the first time this season, squaring off at SoFi Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Rams have historically owned this rivalry, even more so since Sean McVay took over in 2017.
Here are seven stats and facts to know for Round 1 of this McVay-LaFleur matchup.
Rams are 16-3 vs. Cardinals since 2017
Sean McVay continued his reign as the unofficial owner of the Cardinals last season by sweeping them once again. Coming into this matchup, the Rams are 16-3 against the Cardinals since 2017 when
McVay was hired, winning their last three meetings.
Los Angeles has scored at least 30 points in 12 of those 19 games and has held the Cardinals under 20 points in 12 games, as well. The Rams have outscored Arizona by an average of 12 points per game in that span.
Cardinals have allowed most points this season
There are some bad defenses in the NFL right now, but the Cardinals have been the worst. They've allowed an average of 32.4 points per game, which is two more per game than the next-closest team, the Saints. Arizona has only given up the seventh-most yards per game, but the defense is really struggling to keep opponents out of the end zone.
Arizona's passing attack is least efficient in NFL
Things have not gone well with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. Through five games, Brissett is averaging 4.9 net yards per pass attempt, which is the worst in the league. For comparison, the Rams are 12th at 6.8 per attempt. The Cardinals are throwing the ball a lot because they're trailing often, but it hasn't resulted in much production from the quarterback position.
Cardinals have 5th-lowest blitz rate of any team
As was the case in Week 4 against the Eagles, Matthew Stafford likely won't be blitzed very much on Sunday. The Cardinals have the fifth-lowest blitz rate in the league at just 19.9%. That strategy hasn't resulted in much pressure, though. According to Pro Football Reference, the Cardinals' 19.9% pressure rate is the eighth-lowest.
Rams defense has only allowed 2 third-down conversions since Week 4
The Eagles didn't convert a single third-down attempt against the Rams in Week 4 and on Monday night, the Bills were barely any better. In the last two weeks, the Rams have held the Eagles and Bills to just 2-for-19 on third down; 0-for-12 by the Eagles and 2-for-7 by the Bills.
They now rank sixth in third-down defense with a conversion rate allowed of just 32.8%.
Rams lead NFL in yards and first downs
This is a matchup between the NFL's most productive offense and the league's worst scoring defense. It heavily favors the Rams, too. Los Angeles leads the league with 424.4 yards per game, going over the 400-yard mark in four straight games. That's their longest such streak since 2018.
Stafford has had at least 300 passing yards in each of the last four games and leads the NFL in yards through the air.
Rams and Cardinals among lowest-pressured teams
Both of these offensive lines have done a good job keeping pass rushers away from their quarterbacks. The Rams have faced a pressure rate of only 31.9%, fourth-lowest in the NFL. The Cardinals have allowed the lowest pressure rate of any team at only 26.5%.
pressure rate faced this season:
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 13, 2026
47.5% - Carolina Panthers
47.2% - Los Angeles Chargers
45.6% - Philadelphia Eagles
45.0% - Miami Dolphins
42.7% - Cleveland Browns
41.9% - New England Patriots
41.4% - Seattle Seahawks
40.2% - Buffalo Bills
39.9% - New Orleans Saints
39.3% -…
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 7 stats and facts to know for Rams vs. Cardinals in Week 6
