Rams vs. Cardinals: How the teams match up for Sunday’s game

A look at how the Rams and Cardinals match up for Sunday’s game at the Coliseum. Kickoff is 1:25 p.m.

Rams pass offense vs. Cardinals pass defense: The Rams rank 30th among 32 teams in passing offense and probably will be without 1,000-yard receiver Kenny Britt, who suffered a shoulder injury against San Francisco and did not practice last week. Quarterback Jared Goff has completed 53.5% of his passes, five for touchdowns, with seven interceptions. Against the 49ers, the NFL’s worst defense, he passed for only 90 yards. The Cardinals rank fifth in the NFL in passing defense, giving up 219.6 yards per game. Arizona cornerback Marcus Cooper, who has a team-best four interceptions, is questionable because of back and calf issues.

EDGE: Cardinals.

Rams run offense vs. Cardinals run defense: The Rams are averaging only 80 yards rushing per game, which ranks next to last in the league. Todd Gurley needs 155 yards to reach 1,000 yards, which seems like a longshot. Gurley, who ran for 1,106 yards in 13 games in 2015, has not run for more than 85 yards in 15 games this season. With tackle Rob Havenstein most likely sidelined because of an ankle injury, Rodger Saffold will play right tackle and Greg Robinson will return from being benched and play on the left side. The Cardinals are giving up only 97.7 yards rushing per game, which ranks 11th in the NFL.

EDGE: Cardinals.

Cardinals pass offense vs. Rams pass defense: The Rams roughed up Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer in Week 4, but the defense is now without end Robert Quinn, who is on injured reserve. Palmer is completing 61.5% of his passes, 23 for touchdowns, with 13 interceptions. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald has 102 catches for 980 yards and five touchdowns. Running back David Johnson has 77 receptions, four for touchdowns. Receiver J.J. Nelson has six touchdown catches. Tackle Aaron Donald has eight sacks for a defense ranked ninth against the pass, giving up 231.5 yards per game.

EDGE: Cardinals.

Cardinals run offense vs. Rams run defense: Johnson, a second-year pro, has had an outstanding season, rushing for 1,233 yards and 16 touchdowns. The former Northern Iowa standout ran for 83 yards in 17 carries against the Rams in Week 4. Last week, he gained 95 yards and scored three touchdowns in 28 carries in a victory over Seattle. The Cardinals have averaged 109.9 yards rushing per game, which ranks 15th in the NFL. Middle linebacker Alec Ogletree leads a Rams defense that ranks 18th in the NFL against the run, giving up 105.1 yards per game.

EDGE: Cardinals.

Special teams: Rams punter Johnny Hekker can add to what already has been a record-setting season. The three-time Pro Bowl selection has averaged a league-best 47.7 yards per kick and has put an NFL record 50 of 91 inside the 20-yard line. Last week against the 49ers, Hekker punted eight times, the third time this season he reached that plateau. Greg Zuerlein has made 17 of 20 field-goal attempts. He has attempted two in the last five games, making both. Austin has averaged 8.4 yards per punt return, and rookie Pharoh Cooper 25 yards per kickoff return. Chandler Catanzaro has made 18 of 25 field-goal attempts for Arizona.

EDGE: Rams.

Gary Klein’s pick: The Rams have lost 10 of 11 games and have won once at the Coliseum. They defeated the Cardinals, 17-14, on the road in Week 4, but there is not much reason to think they can outscore a Cardinals team that is averaging 24.9 points per game. The Rams are scoring a league-worst 14.5 points per game. Palmer returns to the Coliseum for the first time since 2002, when he clinched the Heisman Trophy in his final regular-season game for USC. Rams interim Coach John Fassel has tried admirably to keep the Rams motivated as they await the hiring of a new head coach.

Cardinals 26, Rams 14