How the Rams and the Arizona Cardinals compare

LAST YEAR: The teams split their series, each beating the other on the road. The Rams handed the Cardinals one of their three regular-season defeats by beating them in Arizona, 24-22, in Week 4. Cardinals rookie David Johnson fumbled the opening kickoff, and the Rams converted that turnover into a touchdown. Despite the Cardinals outgaining the Rams, 447 yards to 328, St. Louis had a 3-0 turnover advantage. In Week 13, the Cardinals avenged that loss with a 27-3 victory at St. Louis as Carson Palmer threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson, making his first career start, ran for 99 yards and had a receiving touchdown.

WHAT’S CHANGED: Very little has changed on the offensive side for the Cardinals, who return every player who either gained a yard or scored a point for their top-ranked offense last season. (All 23 of their coaches returned, too.) Needing to beef up its pass rush, Arizona traded for New England outside linebacker Chandler Jones, and used a first-round pick on defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche. There have been changes in the Arizona secondary, with the addition of safety Tyvon Branch, and subtraction of safety Rashad Johnson (Tennessee) and cornerback Jerraud Powers (Baltimore). The Rams traded up to the No. 1 spot to select Cal quarterback Jared Goff, and added receiver Pharoh Cooper and tight end Tyler Higbee. The team let go some familiar defensive fixtures: end Chris Long and linebacker James Laurinaitis. Gone, too, is cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who signed with the New York Giants, and safety Rodney McLeod, now in Philadelphia.

MATCHING UP: Although the Cardinals have won four of the last five games against the Rams, these games are typically close. Since 1937, the series favors the Cardinals ever so slightly, 37-36-2. Both teams formerly played in St. Louis.

WHEN THEY MEET: The Rams play at Arizona on Oct. 2 in what will be the season’s first NFC West game for the Cardinals. (The Rams open the season with consecutive division games.) On New Year’s Day, the Cardinals and Rams will close the regular season at the Coliseum.

sam.farmer@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATimesFarmer