By Jim Thomas, St. Louis Post-Dispatch –
GLENDALE, Ariz. — For the first time in 52 days, the St. Louis Rams have a turnover — and a victory — to their credit. Taking advantage of four interceptions, two of which were returned for TDs by rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins, the Rams rallied in the second half to defeat Arizona 31-17 Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium.
The Rams are 4-6-1 with their first road victory in more than a year and their first victory — period — since a 17-3 triumph over these same Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 4. Arizona, which hasn’t won since Sept. 30, is now 4-7 after starting 4-0 this season.
Not only did the Rams finally break their turnover drought in the first quarter, they got seven points out of it. Trailing 7-0, the Rams tied it at 7-7 when Jenkins stepped in front of a Ryan Lindley pass intended for LaRod Stephens-Howling and raced 36 yards for a TD on the first play of the second quarter.
It marked the Rams’ first takeaway since Oct. 4 against Arizona at the Edward Jones Dome. And it was the Rams’ first interception since Game 4 on Sept. 30 against Seattle.
That was a costly mistake by Lindley, but otherwise he patiently carved up the St. Louis defense in the first half with quick throws and tosses to his tight ends — looking nothing like a rookie making his first NFL start. Arizona’s first possession of the game lasted 15 plays and traveled 91 yards, with Beanie Wells scoring a 1-yard TD run for a 7-0 lead.
The Rams’ defense appeared to be off the field when Larry Fitzgerald was tackled for a six-yard reception on third-and-18. But Rams safety Quintin Mikell was flagged for a 15-yard personal foul, a bonehead play considering Arizona’s offense had been flagged for the same penalty on the previous play, so it was something referee Tony Corrente’s crew was watching.
With the drive revived following the penalty with a first down at the St. Louis 37, Arizona marched for the score with the key play a 21-yard catch by Andre Roberts to the 1. On the play, rookie cornerback Trumaine Johnson got lost trying to track a bunch formation by the Big Red.
The score stayed knotted at 7 until midway through the second quarter, when Wells bounced outside and scored untouched on a 12-yard TD run to give Arizona a 14-7 lead. Defensive end Chris Long, as well as several Rams safeties and linebackers, got pinned inside on the play.
The Rams lost one scoring opportunity when Patrick Peterson intercepted a late pass over the middle intended for Austin Pettis in the end zone. It marked Peterson’s second end zone interception of the season against Bradford — he got one in the October game in St. Louis.
On the first play of the Rams’ next possession, a scrambling Bradford was decked by Arizona linebacker Quentin Groves. Shaken up, Bradford left the field, but for only one play. He came back firing, including an 18-yarder to Chris Givens, and then a 37-yard TD pass to tight end Lance Kendricks to tie the score at 14-14 with 1:53 to play in the half. Kendricks has two career TD catches, and both have come against the Cardinals this season; he had a 7-yard TD grab Oct. 4 in St. Louis.
But the Rams couldn’t keep the Big Red off the scoreboard before the half ended. Lindley picked away at the defense with short passes, then got Arizona in field goal range with a 25-yard pass to running back William Powell. The play would’ve been stopped for a short gain had not Cortland Finnegan missed a tackle. In any event, Jay Feely’s 32-yard field goal gave Arizona a 17-14 halftime lead.
But the second half was all Rams. On their first possession of the third quarter, the Rams used two big plays to take their first lead of the game. On first down from the St. Louis 8, Steven Jackson made a nifty cutback to the left to get in the clear and then ran through the tacklers for extra yardage and a 46-yard gain into Arizona territory. It was Jackson’s longest run from scrimmage since his 47-yard TD against Philadelphia to open the 2011 season.
After a 9-yard gain by Daryl Richardson, Bradford then connected on his second TD strike of the game, with a 37-yard TD pass to Givens, who beat press coverage by Justin Bethel — who rarely plays on defense for Arizona. Givens finished off the play with a leaping catch for the score and a 21-17 Rams lead.
The Rams missed a golden opportunity to stretch their lead when safety Craig Dahl intercepted a poorly thrown ball by Lindley and returned it 38 yards to the Arizona 12. But the Rams squandered the chance when a holding penalty against Rodger Saffold was followed by a missed 35-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein, wide left.
But the Rams finally got some breathing room when Jenkins struck again for another “pick 6.” With Lindley back-pedaling to escape a Rams blitz, he released the football off his back foot without much oomph on it. Jenkins turned and came back for the ball and then returned it 39 yards for a touchdown and a 28-17 Rams lead.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Jenkins is the first player in Rams history to return two interceptions for touchdowns in the same game. Pounding away at the wearying Arizona defense, the Rams tacked on a 19-yard field goal by Zuerlein for a 31-17 lead with 5:32 to play.
