I’m going to try something new (Thanks to our Broncos  writer, Brenda.) by jotting down observations, big plays, and anything else that stands out during each quarter.

Key Game Status Updates

Rams’ WR Danny Amendola is ACTIVE and will give it a go it seems. Probably more of a decoy but we’ll see.

Rams inactives: QB Austin Davis, WR Steve Smith, RB Terrance Ganaway, LB Mario Haggan, OL Chris Williams, T Joe Barksdale, DT Matt Conrath per STLouisRams.com.

Cardinals inactives include QB Kevin Kolb, RB Alphonso Smith, G Senio Kelemete, T Pat McQuistan, WR Early Doucet, TE Todd Heap, DE Calais Campbell. DE Calais Campbell and WR Early Doucet inactive with injuries. TE Todd Heap is a healthy inactive today.

First Quarter

Cardinals start the quarter steady. Their rookie QB Ryan Lindley is doing a good job of getting his receivers involved by making passes to Andre Roberts, Larry Fitzgerald, and TE Rob Housler.

RB Beanie Wells not getting great push on the run so Lindley is making his mark by throwing to any rookie QB’s best friend, Fitzgerald. Wells gets his mojo back at the right time and rumbles into the end zone for the 1-yard TD.

Game is already getting chippy with unnecessary roughness penalties on Rams S Quintin Mikell and DE Chris Long has to be separated from what looked like Cardinals TE Jeff King.

Rams offense is lifeless. Bradford overthrows a covered WR Brandon Gibson. Amendola has been a virtual non-factor.

Patrick Peterson on the punt return was just one tackle away from another TD.

Rams defense is not taking advantage of a rookie QB, RT, and LT. Hardly any pressure on Lindley.

Second Quarter

First play of the second quarter Lindley makes his first rookie mistake. INT right into the hands of Rams CB Janoris Jenkins for a 37-yard pick 6.

Rams defense finally breaks the five game no turnover drought. Game is tied 7-7 now.

A rusty Scott Wells totally misses a read and Cardinals LB Daryl Washington has a clear path to Bradford. Washington levels Bradford for a 15-yard loss. Rams punt. Ugly.

Lindley calms down and leads the Cardinals down the field. Arizona finishes the drive with an easy 12-yard  walk in the park by Beanie Wells. His second rushing TD today. Cardinals up 14-7.

Someone on the Rams offense better wake up and make some plays. Throw more to Chris Givens?

Danny Amendola, originally listed as doubtful, makes a HUGE 38-yard reception.

Meanwhile, Bradford is late with his end zone pass to Austin Pettis and gets picked by CB Patrick Peterson. What a waste of drive.

Bradford gets drilled by LB Sam Acho and has to go out for one play before returning to the huddle. Bradford landed very hard on his right side.

Bradford recovers from his red zone INT and big hit by connecting with TE Lance Kendricks for a much needed 37-yard TD to bring the game back to a tie, 14-14.

Cardinals kicker Jay Feely’s 32-yard field goal gives Arizona the lead going into half time. 14-17.

Rams have slowly but surely woken up from their slumber but there’s still a ways to go before they are back into a winning rhythm. Let’s see what kind of half time adjustments are made.

Third Quarter

Sputter sputter… Didn’t see much in the first defensive series from the Rams. One blitz that resulted in a pressure on Lindley and what could have been an INT for S Mikell. Add on a false start and a missed tackle by LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar and that sums up the Rams defense in a nutshell.

Rams come out with some energy lead by Steven Jackson. He makes a sick cut and runs down the field in a big 46-yard gain. Of course, I immediately check the TV for any floppy yellow things. No flags and the play stands. Bradford then floats a beauty to the Givens for a 37-yard TD. Rams go up 21-17.

Lindley makes his second big mistake of the game by throwing another INT right into the hands of S Craig Dahl. What say you, Ramsherd?

And there goes another toe from another self-inflicted wound. Jackson takes it into the end zone but the TD is called back because of a holding call on LT Rodger Saffold. The Rams settle for a 35-yard  attempt by kicker Greg Zuerlein which goes left. Another wasted drive and totally come up empty. WTH?

Rams defense is showing some signs of life by getting their first sack on Lindley (LB Rocky McIntosh) resulting in a third three and out for the Cardinals.

Why are you kicking to Patrick Peterson? Why?

Rookie CB Janoris Jenkins records his second pick 6 of the day with a gorgeous 39-yard INT return. Straight out baller when he’s on. Jenkins has scored as many points as the Rams offense.

Fourth Quarter

With two pick 6′s under his belt it looks like Lindley is getting a little skittish.

Austin Pettis is doing a decent job with punt returns. I would still like to see Amendola out there for better production but not playing him much today is the safer thing to do. Why risk further injury.

Rams offense is doing a good job of keeping the ball on the ground and eating up time off the clock. Holding on to that 11 point lead.  Jackson has carried the ball 21 times for 140 yards. They finish drive with a 19-yard field goal by Zuerlein. Rams lead 31-17.

31 points matches the highest point total for the Rams since week 2 when they hung 31 on the Redskins.

LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar gets hammered with a flag after he hammers WR LaRon Byrd. Toe #9 gone. For what it’s worth I thought it was a bad call. Byrd was not defenseless and it didn’t look like a hit to the helmet.

LB James Laurinaitis comes up with a tip pass intended for Larry Fitzgerald. That is Laurinaitis‘ first INT of the season and third INT for Lindley. Bad day for the rookie.

C Scott Wells comes up with a holding penalty. A savvy veteran play, he just got caught is all. lol.

DE Williams Hayes gets a garbage time sack on Lindley.

Final Thoughts

This was a good start to getting back on the road to a winning record. I’m not jumping up and down for joy because this was a game they should have won and they had to win. With that said it was great to see several different players coming up with big plays.

Four INTs off a rookie QB are still four INTs. The Rams won a game they absolutely needed to win. It wasn’t pretty. They still committed two handfuls of penalties but the defense stepped it up, especially Janoris Jenkins with his two INTs for TDs. S Craig Dahl and LB James Laurinaitis came up with an INT each.

RB Steven Jackson ran for 139 yards off of 24 carries. He didn’t get the rushing TD but he was definitely the consistent spark they needed.

WR Chris Givens had 5 receptions from 6 targets for 115 yards and 1 TD. TE Lance Kendricks also contributed with his 37-yard TD catch.

I will still harp on the number and quality of the stupid penalties the Rams continue to commit. Sunday they were flagged for 10 for 84 yards. The biggest one negating a Jackson TD. Get it cleaned up gentlemen.

The Rams will need everyone to show up and do this all over again as they get ready to play the 49ers next week.

Rams get their first win away from home and remain undefeated in the NFC West.

4-6-1.