The St. Louis Rams needed to win on the road for the second week in a row to remain in first place in the NFC West, and despite a slow start from star rookie Sam Bradford they managed to outlast the reeling Arizona Cardinals 19-6. Steven Jackson was the Rams’ offensive star, rushing 28 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. Bradford finished 18-for-29 with 187 yards and an interception, just his second since midway through October.
The Cardinals went through three quarterbacks in their seventh consecutive loss. Derek Anderson got the start and was 7-for-20 with an interception, at which point he was benched for Max Hall. Hall through an interception on his first drive as the quarterback and fumbled the ball on the second; he was injured on the sack, and in came quarterback number-three, Fordham rookie John Skelton. Skelton finished 3-for-6 with 45 yards, and at this point the 22-year-old is probably as good as either presumptive starter.
The only thing the Cardinals had working was Tim Hightower, who terrorized the Rams defense all afternoon. Hightower finished with 15 rushes for 81 yards. Brandon Gibson was the receiving star for the Rams, finishing with six receptions for 54 yards. Danario Alexander had two receptions for 20 yards, but saw limited playing time after the Rams had pulled ahead.
The Rams improve to 6-6, and remain in a tie atop the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks, who defeated the Carolina Panthers 31-14.