Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams gameballs: Go, Jojo! Go!

Jojo Natson

The little burner out of Akron helped Rams fans move on from the bad news regarding Pharoh Cooper’s Pro Bowl ankle pretty fast. Fast. Like when he dashed 60 yards down the sideline in the second quarter of the Rams blowout victory over Arizona on Sunday.

Jojo relies on his raw burst, so the optics of his returns are clearly different than when Pharoh Cooper is on the field, and it’s pretty electrifying. Score another one for Coach Bones.

Johnny Hekker

It was alarming to see kicker Greg Zuerlein waddling back up the tunnel with what turned out to be a groin injury at the Coliseum before the game on Sunday. After that, All-World punter Johnny Hekker could be seen practicing extra points in the west end zone, and we had no idea how funky things might end up.

But bless Hekker, who came out and made a field goal, an extra point, and kicked some scroogies into the end zone that were tough to return.

Whether it’s been Austin Blythe, Jojo Natson, or Johnny Hekker; the next-man up mentality seems somewhat Eagle-like so far in Los Angeles so far this season.

Brandin Cooks

7 receptions for 159 yards, and the archer is straight balling. Cooks is currently fourth in the NFL in receiving yards, as he and quarterback Jared Goff appeared to be more in-sync against the Cardinals. Hopefully this can continue when the Rams host Philip Rivers and the Chargers next week, because there’s a great chance that the Chargers will be able to score more than zero points in that one. But then again, who knows...

Defense*

I watched this one in person, from a low seat in the end zone. When I re-watch the game at home, I’m sure there’ll be individuals that will stand out, but as a unit when you pitch a shutout and only give up five first downs, that’s the stuff monsters are made of.

I loved seeing John Johnson III step up on tight end Ricky-Seals Jones. Samson Ebukam is looking better off the EDGE. The run defense looked better, even though it was David Johnson lining up against them.

Bradford’s hopes of dink-n-dunking he Rams apart was an utter failure, despite only being sacked once.

The defense was solid on every level.

I’d be interested to read which members on the defense impressed in the comments.

Peace and humptiness, the Rams are 2-0!