Week 13 was another bad one for the NFL’s worst two teams as the St. Louis Rams and Indianapolis Colts both continued their losing ways.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts actually showed some life under new starting quarterback Dan Orlovsky, and after falling behind 31-3 to the New England Patriots, they scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Still, a loss is a loss, and they walked away from Gillette Stadium with a 31-24 defeat. 

Indianapolis dropped to 0-12 with the loss on Sunday and they really look headed for an 0-16 season. Yes, Orlovsky looked better than Curtis Painter had under center, but that’s not saying a whole lot.

The Colts still rank 29th in the NFL in total offense, averaging 293.1 yards per game. Meanwhile, the defense has been just as awful, as it ranks 28th in the league allowing 387.1 yards per game.

At this point it’s really hard to see Indianapolis turning things around and winning a game or two. The Colts are almost certainly headed for the top pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams aren’t a long way behind the Colts at the bottom of the league. After getting smacked 26-0 by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, St. Louis fell to 2-10 on the season. Second-year quarterback Sam Bradford has battled injuries all season and has just not lived up to his preseason hype.

In nine games this season, Bradford has completed 179-of-328 passes (54.6 percent) for 1,971 yards, with six touchdowns and five interceptions. His passer rating of 72.3 ranks 28th out of the 31 quarterbacks who qualify.

Additionally, the Rams are 31st in the NFL in total offense (284.0 yards per game) and 23rd in total defense (allowing 366.2 yards per game). Translation: There isn’t much positive going on in St. Louis. 

The Rams are almost certainly headed for a top-three pick in the 2012 draft and they need to add some offensive playmakers to the mix.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 13*
 
1. Green Bay Packers (12-0)
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
3. San Francisco 49ers (10-2)
4. New Orleans Saints (9-3)
5. New England Patriots (9-3)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
7. Houston Texans (9-3)
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-5) 
9. Oakland Raiders (7-5)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)
11. Dallas Cowboys (7-5)
12. Tennessee Titans (7-5) 
13. Detroit Lions (7-5)
14. New York Jets (7-5)
15. Chicago Bears (7-5)
16. New York Giants (6-6)  
17. Denver Broncos (7-5) 
18. Miami Dolphins (4-8)
19. Seattle Seahawks (5-7)
20. Buffalo Bills (5-7)
21. Kansas City Chiefs (5-7)
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-8)
23. Arizona Cardinals (5-7)
24. San Diego Chargers (4-7)
25. Philadelphia Eagles (4-8)
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)
27. Carolina Panthers (4-8)
28. Washington Redskins (4-8)
29. Cleveland Browns (4-8)
30. Minnesota Vikings (2-10) 
31. St. Louis Rams (2-10)
32. Indianapolis Colts (0-12)

*Subject to change after Monday night’s game.

Let’s be honest here, OK? We are playing for a draft slot now. That’s it. There’s nothing else to play for besides “are we picking second or third?”

So why play it safe?

Spags, your job is on the line. Josh McDaniels, if Spags goes, chances are, you are gone with him. So throw caution to the wind and try to put some points on the board.

I’d love to see a game plan where Lance Kendricks is the focal point of the offense, because that would give Bradford some easy throws, and it would soften up the middle of the field.

If the D has to worry about the middle of the field, that opens up some running room for Steven Jackson, and it also creates more one-on-one chances for Brandon Lloyd on the outside.

At least, that’s how it works when I’m playing Madden, but hey, what do I know? I’m not a football coach. I’m just saying, the Rams are boring to watch. If we’re going to lose, why not lose trying to make plays? Why does it always look like we’re so afraid to take chances?

Shake it up. Try something crazy. Who knows, it just might work. Either way, it can’t be worse than watching the crap we’ve been exposed to so far this season.

Spags, go for the win this week. Stop calling the game like you’re afraid to lose.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jim Harbaugh delivered exactly what the San Francisco 49ers hired him for back in January: a playoff berth and NFC West title in his first season running the show. So much for the lockout slowing him down.

Left tackle Joe Staley delivered the celebratory Gatordade dousing on Harbaugh’s head in the closing moments of Sunday’s 26-0 win over the St. Louis Rams that wrapped up that long-awaited division title for a once-proud franchise determined to return to the glory days of Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, Steve Young and Roger Craig.

Frank Gore helped run San Francisco (10-2) right into the postseason, becoming the 49ers’ career rushing leader by passing late Hall of Famer Joe Perry and finishing with 73 yards.

Alex Smith threw second-half touchdowns of 52 and 56 yards to Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams and David Akers kicked four field goals to help Harbaugh join George Seifert (1989) and Steve Mariucci (1997) as the only rookie coaches in franchise history to win the division.

The only downer came when star linebacker Patrick Willis left the game in the first half with a right hamstring injury.

Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley struggled in place of injured starter Sam Bradford for the reeling Rams (2-10), who watched several more key players go down.

San Francisco became the NFL’s second team to secure a playoff berth behind defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay.

The 49ers bounced back from a discouraging 16-6 loss at Baltimore on Thanksgiving night against the Ravens and Harbaugh’s big brother, John, with another methodical victory. Smith was sacked nine times in that game and four more Sunday.

Despite further problems converting in the red zone early, San Francisco shut out an opponent for the first time since a 35-0 home win at Candlestick Park on Oct. 4, 2009. That was also the Rams’ last shutout.

The Niners also avenged a late-season loss from 2010 that was still plenty fresh. They had won five straight before losing at St. Louis in the second-to-last week. It was after that game when coach Mike Singletary was fired. That led to the high-profile hiring of Harbaugh in January. And the 49ers’ transformation began in earnest.

San Francisco’s impressive season might help shed that “NFC Worst” stigma from the West.

Smith, who didn’t start that last game against the Rams, completed 17 of 23 passes for 274 yards with four sacks and no interceptions to finish with a career-high 142.3 quarterback rating. He gave way to rookie backup Colin Kaepernick midway through the fourth.

Gore ran for 2 yards early in the second quarter to give him 7,345 career yards rushing, moving him past Perry (7,344) for most in franchise history.

The 28-year-old Gore, a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his seventh NFL season, has said it was a goal for this season to become the career rushing leader — though getting to the playoffs for the first time has always been the top priority.

Same for Smith, Vernon Davis, Willis and all the others who haven’t played on the NFL’s big stage before.

Gore and his teammates are wearing No. 34 helmet decals this season in honor of Perry, the first player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and nicknamed “The Jet” for his sensational speed. He died in April at age 84.

Willis watched the second half on the sideline in a sweatsuit.

The four-time Pro Bowler landed awkwardly after missing a tackle on fullback Brit Miller, who made an 18-yard completion from A.J. Feeley with 4:28 left in the first quarter. Willis’ body twisted as he fell to the ground at Candlestick Park and he stayed down for a short time as trainers ran out to check on him, then helped him limp off the field.

Akers kicked a 36-yard field goal on San Francisco’s second possession of the game to go up 3-0 with 4:54 left in the first quarter.

Ray McDonald knocked the ball away from Feeley midway through the second quarter to force a fumble and Aldon Smith recovered deep in St. Louis territory. That gave the 49ers first-and-goal on the 6 but they again failed to get in the end zone, settling for Akers’ 19-yard field goal.

Akers booted a 28-yarder 1:41 before halftime for his 31st field goal of the year, topping Jeff Wilkins’ single-season franchise mark of 30 he set in 1996.

That gave the 49ers nine field goals — with only three TDs — in the last 14 trips to the red zone before Crabtree’s TD catch.

Davis dropped a would-be 40-yard touchdown catch in the end zone late in the second quarter on a perfectly thrown pass from Smith. Davis later had a catch and fumble for San Francisco, which hasn’t scored a first-half touchdown since Week 9 at Washington.

Rams DE Chris Long’s second-quarter sack on Smith gave him one in six straight games.

(Copyright 2011 The Associated Press)

Read More: A.J. Feeley (QB – STL), Michael Crabtree (WR – SFX), Sam Bradford (QB – STL), San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams

Prior to the season, most fans would have thought that it would be the St. Louis Rams clinching an NFC West title, while the San Francisco 49ers would be struggling towards another high draft pick. However, this season has proven to be a disaster for the Rams, as they fell 26-0 to the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers.

With Sam Bradford sidelined by an ankle injury, it was clear that it would take something special for the Rams to generate any sort of offense against San Francisco. Unfortunately, the Rams delivered an uninspired offensive performance, as they gained only 157 yards. The offensive line continued its poor play, with the Rams only able to rush for 31 yards. Steven Jackson was limited to 19 yards on 10 carries, while A.J. Feeley completed 12/22 for 156 yards.

On the defensive end, the Rams couldn’t maintain their form from the first half, as Alex Smith torched the secondary twice. Smith threw a 52-yard TD pass to Michael Crabtree and a 56-yard TD pass to Kyle Williams to help the 49ers cruise to another comfortable win.

The Rams will look to end their three-game losing streak when they travel to Seattle for a Monday Night Football matchup. San Francisco pays a visit to Arizona next Sunday.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Rams activated quarterback Tom Brandstater from the practice squad, reflecting concern about Sam Bradford’s availability for Sunday’s game at San Francisco.

Bradford aggravated a high left ankle sprain in a loss to Seattle last week, the same injury that sidelined him for two games earlier in the season. He was very limited in practice on Friday.

Brandstater was re-signed to the practice squad earlier this week and could be the backup behind A.J. Feeley. To make room on the roster, linebacker Ben Leber was waived.

The Rams also downgraded safety Darian Stewart, who has a concussion, to doubtful from questionable. Stewart ruled himself out on Friday

What’s wrong with the St. Louis Rams? Not everything. Just
almost everything.

After nearly making the playoffs last season, the Rams were
supposed to take a big step forward this season.

Sam Bradford was supposed to become a Pro Bowl quarterback. Steve
Spagnuolo was set to take a post as one of the best coaches in the
game. St. Louis was ready to embrace football again.

Never has a season gone from flying high to crashing and burning
with one play, especially when that one play was the first
offensive play of the season.

In Week 1, Steven Jackson broke through for a 47-yard touchdown.
The Edward Jones Dome was rocking.

SJax’s lightning strike seemed to ignite a fire that would burn
straight into the playoffs. Instead, he ran the ball once more in
that game and left with a leg injury.

It wasn’t until Week 5 he was back to full strength, and by then,
it was too late.

The 49ers were already running away with the division, and St.
Louis had no wins.

Rams fans shouldn’t overreact though. This is football. Injuries
happen. They happen a lot. Unfortunately for St. Louis, the Rams
have had a ton.

Here’s some of the players who are on injured reserve: Danny
Amendola, Ron Bartell, Al Harris, Michael Hoomanawanui, Rodger
Saffold, Greg Salas and Jason Smith.

Saffold and Smith are anchors of the offensive line. Amendola is
the top receiver and punt returner. Harris and Bartell are the best
cornerbacks. Salas was supposed to help the receiving corps.
Hoomanawanui is one of the team’s top tight ends.

On top of that, Bradford has missed time. And like every team, many
others have missed games.

With all these injuries after a lockout-shortened offseason with a
new offense, the 2-9 record is more understandable.

The Rams had a tough nonconference schedule, which included losses
to the Packers, Giants, Cowboys and Ravens. That’s three, maybe
four, playoff teams.

They’ve also lost to the Eagles, Redskins, Cardinals (twice) and
Seahawks.

The point is this: Don’t give up on a return to glory. It’s
obviously just not coming as soon as we thought.

Spagnuolo is still the right coach. Bradford can still be a star
quarterback. Jackson is still a star running back. There are good
pieces all over the field.

The Rams still need a big playmaker. Even with Brandon Lloyd in the
fray, they still need another deep threat or two.

This season has been a combination of factors leading up to a very
disappointing record, and it may not get much better. St. Louis
finishes with the 49ers, improving Seahawks, Bengals, Steelers and
49ers again.

With a solid draft and a free agent move or two, the Rams should be
everyone’s dark horse again next season. Let’s just hope they can
avoid the injury bug and live up to the hype.

JEFF WILSON is the chief copy editor at The Southern Illinoisan.
He can be reached at 618-529-5454, ext. 5176 or
jeff.wilson@thesouthern.com.

The St. Louis Rams and the San Francisco 49ers are set to renew their age-old NFL rivalry in the Bay Area on Sunday.

Both teams have been among the biggest surprises in the league this season—the Rams for their ineptitude with Sam Bradford under center, the Niners for their excellence under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh.

San Fran has all but locked up the NFC West title, but don’t expect that to take away from the fire that burns between these two foes.

Where: Candlestick Park, San Francisco

When: Sunday, December 4th, at 4:15 p.m. EST

Watch: FOX

Spread: 49ers -13.5 (according to sportsbook.com)

Take the spread here. Only three of San Fran’s nine wins have come by double digits this season. The Rams have a good enough running game to keep this one within striking distance.

Over/Under: 38 points (according to sportsbook.com)

Go with the under. These two teams combine to score fewer than 37 points per game and neither has the sort of firepower needed to light up the scoreboard on Sunday.

Key Injuries:

The Rams may be without star quarterback Sam Bradford and defensive end Chris Long, both of whom have missed practice time this week and are listed as questionable for Week 13 on account of ankle injuries.

The Niners receiving corps could be missing one of its key components if Braylon Edwards, who did not participate in practice on Friday, has to sit out to nurse his injured knee.

Fantasy Big Plays:

START: Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers

The Rams defense ranks last in the NFL in rushing yards per game allowed—a measure of mediocrity bolstered and confirmed by Beanie Wells’ 228-yard day last weekend. Gore is a better back with a better offensive line playing in a much more ground-oriented offense.

In other words, expect Gore to approach, if not fly right past, the 20-point plateau on Sunday.

SIT: Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams

Don’t be fooled by Bradford’s bum ankle into thinking Steven Jackson will have a big day against the Niners. Sure, Jackson will have every opportunity to run.

It’s just not a friendly defense to run against. San Fran ranks first in the league in rushing yards allowed and hasn’t given up a touchdown on the ground all season. Don’t think that will change just because St. Louis is in town.

Keys to Rams Win:

St. Louis needs to do everything it can to keep the ball away from Frank Gore, lest the Rams subject their defense to humiliation on down after agonizing down. The best way to do that, of course, is to pound the rock with Steven Jackson.

That won’t be easy, seeing as how the Niners are tops in the NFL against the run, but unless Bradford proves healthy enough to be effective, it’s the only chance the Rams have have.

Key to 49ers Win:

The Niners need only do what they’ve been doing all season—run the ball on offense, stop the run on defense and limit their mistakes—to come out on top in this one. Frank Gore should have plenty of room to roam against the Rams’ defense—more than enough to make the game a runaway for San Fran.

Prediction: 49ers 20, Rams 10

The 49ers have the defense to shut the Rams down, but lack the explosion on offense to turn this one into an absolute laugher. Still, this one won’t feel close whatsoever, even if the scoreboard suggests otherwise.

The San Francisco 49ers will look to rebound from their November 24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in a matchup against the St. Louis Rams. San Francisco will try to clinch the NFC West division championship and a playoff berth with a win. At 9-2 this would allow them to clinch the division with still four week left to play in the regular season.

The Rams have struggled greatly this season and have seen a regression from quarterback Sam Bradford(notes). Bradford has not played nearly as well in his second season and the team is just 2-9 through the first 11 games. For St. Louis, receiver Brandon Lloyd(notes) has played very well for the team since they traded for him and is always a downfield threat. Lloyd has scored a touchdown in each of the last three games. Steven Jackson is also a very good player and is a threat in any game. San Francisco’s defense is playing historically well against the run and should be able to continue that this week. This will leave the Rams very limited offensively in this game.

49er fans should pleased to hear that fullback Bruce Miller(notes) is likely to return in this game from a concussion. Without Miller the rushing attack struggled against Baltimore. Miller will look to help open up running lanes for Frank Gore(notes) and Kendall Hunter(notes). San Francisco should have no trouble moving the ball up and down the field and should be able to control the game against the Rams.

San Francisco should be able to use this game and then final month of the season to improve the offensive line and other areas they have struggled.

In this game fans should expect to see San Francisco return to their style of physical football and control the game from start to finish. They are clearly a superior team and will prove that on the field. This is a big game for the team to show that they can mentally and physical rebound from a big loss. I thin Jim Harbaugh and his staff will have the team ready and they will respond to the challenge.

Prediction: 49ers 27, Rams 13

Kyle Rapoza is a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and grew up in Northern California rooting for the 49ers teams led by Joe Montana and Steve Young. Follow him on Twitter @kyler11.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

ST. LOUIS — Nick Miller could have been a hero.

If the St. Louis Rams had been able to make a tackle on Patrick Peterson’s NFL record-tying fourth punt return for a touchdown this season, everyone would have been raving about Miller’s electrifying 88-yard return for a score in the first quarter of the Rams’ 23-20 loss to Arizona.

Miller became the first St. Louis player to return a punt for a touchdown since Dante Hall ran one back 85 yards in a 35-7 loss to Dallas on Sept. 30, 2007. Miller’s gallop, which tied for the third longest punt return for a touchdown in franchise history, was one of the few highlights in St. Louis’ ninth defeat in 11 games.

“If we don’t give up that punt return, everybody would be talking about Nick Miller,” St. Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo said.

Instead, Miller’s run became an afterthought.

Miller went from couch potato to special teams standout in a matter of days. Last Wednesday, four days before the game, he was at home in Arizona when the injury-plagued Rams called.

“One minute I was laying on the couch, the next minute I’m in the end zone,” Miller said. “A crazy week.”

Miller got the call at 2 p.m. and was on a plane to St. Louis three hours later.

“It all happened so fast,” he said, “But that’s football. You’ve got to be ready when someone calls.”

Miller was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Slowed by a shin injury his rookie campaign, he made his NFL debut on Oct. 10, 2010, reeling off a 46-yard punt return in the third quarter of the Raiders’ 35-27 win over San Diego. He was cut by Oakland on Oct. 1 of this season and signed by St. Louis six days later. The Rams waived him on Oct. 22 but re-signed him last week.

Miller has replaced an ineffective Austin Pettis as the Rams No. 1 punt returner. Danny Amendola, the Rams’ top kickoff and punt returner, had a season-ending elbow injury during the first game of the season.

Notes: Quarterback Sam Bradford and defensive end Chris Long did not practice Thursday. Both are bothered by ankle injuries and Bradford appeared to be limping. “When he came in this morning it went backward a little bit,” Spagnuolo said. “In an effort to get it forward, we shut him down.” A.J. Feeley took the first-team reps in practice and Spagnuolo said a decision on Bradford’s status for Sunday’s game at San Francisco will be made Friday. Long said he was held out of practice as a precautionary measure and plans to play Sunday at San Francisco. … Punter Donnie Jones and safety Darian Stewart worked out on a limited basis Thursday. Jones is bothered by a sore ankle. Stewart is trying to work through concussion-like symptoms.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ST. LOUIS (AP)—Nick Miller(notes) could have been a hero.

If the St. Louis Rams had been able to make a tackle on Patrick Peterson’s(notes)
NFL record-tying fourth punt return for a touchdown this season, everyone would
have been raving about Miller’s electrifying 88-yard return for a score in the
first quarter of the Rams’ 23-20 loss to Arizona.

Miller became the first St. Louis player to return a punt for a touchdown
since Dante Hall(notes) ran one back 85 yards in a 35-7 loss to Dallas on Sept. 30,
2007. Miller’s gallop, which tied for the third longest punt return for a
touchdown in franchise history, was one of the few highlights in St. Louis’
ninth defeat in 11 games.

“If we don’t give up that punt return, everybody would be talking about
Nick Miller,” St. Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo said.

Instead, Miller’s run became an afterthought.

Miller went from couch potato to special teams standout in a matter of days.
Last Wednesday, four days before the game, he was at home in Arizona when the
injury-plagued Rams called.

“One minute I was laying on the couch, the next minute I’m in the end
zone,” Miller said. “A crazy week.”

Miller got the call at 2 p.m. and was on a plane to St. Louis three hours
later.

“It all happened so fast,” he said, “But that’s football. You’ve got to
be ready when someone calls.”

Miller was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2009.
Slowed by a shin injury his rookie campaign, he made his NFL debut on Oct. 10,
2010, reeling off a 46-yard punt return in the third quarter of the Raiders’
35-27 win over San Diego. He was cut by Oakland on Oct. 1 of this season and
signed by St. Louis six days later. The Rams waived him on Oct. 22 but re-signed
him last week.

Miller has replaced an ineffective Austin Pettis(notes) as the Rams No. 1 punt
returner. Danny Amendola(notes), the Rams’ top kickoff and punt returner, had a
season-ending elbow injury during the first game of the season.

Notes: Quarterback Sam Bradford(notes) and defensive end Chris Long(notes) did not
practice Thursday. Both are bothered by ankle injuries and Bradford appeared to
be limping. “When he came in this morning it went backward a little bit,”
Spagnuolo said. “In an effort to get it forward, we shut him down.” A.J.
Feeley(notes) took the first-team reps in practice and Spagnuolo said a decision on
Bradford’s status for Sunday’s game at San Francisco will be made Friday. Long
said he was held out of practice as a precautionary measure and plans to play
Sunday at San Francisco. … Punter Donnie Jones(notes) and safety Darian Stewart(notes)
worked out on a limited basis Thursday. Jones is bothered by a sore ankle.
Stewart is trying to work through concussion-like symptoms.

For the second time this season, the St. Louis Rams (2-9) played a close game against the Arizona Cardinals (4-7) in a match that came down to the wire, but for the second time this season the Rams came up short. 

The Rams were able to meet the NFL’s requirements for a sellout and avoided a television blackout, which is a testament to a strong St. Louis fanbase that has continued to show support for the team despite witnessing only two wins this year.

However, just like the majority of football games that St. Louis fans have witnessed in recent years, the Rams were unable to reward their loyalty after falling short in a close 23-20 loss to Arizona at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. 

The Rams entered halftime with a 10-3 lead after Nick Miller returned a punt for a touchdown and Josh Brown nailed a 35-yard field goal. 

But the Cardinals owned the third quarter with a field goal and two touchdowns, including an 80-yard punt return touchdown by Patrick Peterson, which should sound familiar since Peterson returned a punt for a touchdown against the Rams just three weeks ago, which won the game for the Cardinals in overtime.

The Rams scored their only offensive touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter on a 16-yard pass from Sam Bradford to Brandon Lloyd, and they outscored the Cardinals 10-3 in the final quarter, but it was not enough to put the game away. 

It was not the most disappointing loss for the Rams on the season, but with a 2-9 record the fans are fed up with moral victories.

But with that, here are the players who made the biggest contributions for the team this week… 

Arizona Cardinals
quarterback
John Skelton
led his struggling club to its first win streak this season while filling in for an injured
Kevin Kolb
. A miserable performance from Skelton, however, helped bring that run to an end last week.

If Kolb is unavailable again, Skelton will likely get the chance to bounce back while helping the Cardinals top the St. Louis
Rams for the second time this month Sunday.

Skelton was elevated to the starting role when Kolb developed turf toe in his right foot following Arizona’s loss Oct. 30
in Baltimore. The second-year quarterback from Fordham made his initial appearance in place of Kolb on Nov. 6 against St.
Louis and threw the tying touchdown pass with 4:51 left in the fourth quarter.

Patrick Peterson
ended the Cardinals’ lengthy skid by with a 99-yard punt return in overtime. Following that 19-13 win, Skelton had a career-high
315 yards and three TD passes in a 21-17 victory at Philadelphia, Kolb’s former team.

Skelton, though, couldn’t keep that momentum going last week in San Francisco, where he went 6 of 19 for 99 yards and was
benched following a third interception late in the third quarter. Arizona (3-7) turned the ball over a season-worst five times
in the 23-7 defeat.

“John played like a rookie,” coach Ken Whisenhunt told the team’s website. “He’s a young football player, and he’s going to
have his ups and downs.”

Despite Skelton’s struggles, Whisenhunt said he will start again should Kolb’s status remain unchanged. Kolb went through
a substantial practice for the first time since his injury Wednesday.

“We’ve go to get better at making sure (Skelton) won’t struggle,” the Arizona coach said.

Another matchup with the Rams (2-8) might help the Cardinals and Skelton, who was 20 of 35 for 222 yards in the previous meeting.
Arizona has won nine of 10 matchups and is seeking its seventh consecutive win at the Edward Jones Dome.

The Cardinals forced
Sam Bradford
to throw a career-worst three interceptions in their 17-13 win in St. Louis last season, and the Rams’ young quarterback enters
this game following his own miserable performance.

Bradford fumbled twice, was picked off once and sacked five times during a 24-7 loss to Seattle. The Rams were limited to
185 yards, their second-lowest total this season, and
Steven Jackson
was held to 42 yards on 15 carries after topping 125 in three consecutive games.

“I’m beyond frustrated right now,” Bradford said. “I’ve never been on a team that has been in this situation. I don’t like
it. I hope this is the only time in my career that I’m ever in a situation like this.”

Jackson might fare a little better against the Cardinals, who won’t have starting nose tackle
Dan Williams
for the rest of the season because of a broken left arm. The Rams running back has averaged 107.3 yards over his last four
matchups with Arizona but has scored only two touchdowns.

One of those TDs, however, came in a 19-6 victory at Arizona on Dec. 5.

Jackson, though, won’t have starting tackle
Rodger Saffold
to help open holes. He’s on injured reserve after undergoing surgery for an ailing pectoral muscle, and fellow starting tackle

Jason Smith
‘s status remains unknown because of a concussion.

The Rams used practice squad call-up
Kevin Hughes
in last week’s game after replacement tackle
Mark LeVoir
also hurt his pectoral muscle. LeVoir is expected to miss at least the next two games.

“Timing is really important on offense and we haven’t had a lot of that with the same 11 guys. You have to fight through that,”
coach Steve Spagnuolo said.

The Cardinals are also dealing with a potential injury on their offensive line. Whisenhunt said right tackle
Brandon Keith
has a concussion and will be evaluated throughout the week to see if he can play Sunday.