ARIZONA CARDINALS

Running back by committee gets the job done for Arizona Cardinals in St. Louis

Dec 12, 2014, 7:00 AM | Updated: 3:05 pm

Presented By...

They may have been missing their starting running back, and the surprising Kerwynn Williams wasn’t able to replicate his 100-yard performance, but the Arizona Cardinals’ backfield was one of the few offensive bright spots for either team Thursday night in St. Louis.

Although Williams wasn’t able to reach the century mark, he averaged five yards per carry for the second-straight game en route to gaining 75 yards on 15 carries. Stepfan Taylor more than got him the rest of the way with 14 rushes for 61 yards.

In a game that only featured 554 total yards from scrimmage, the Cardinals’ backfield gained 143 of it. In fact, Arizona did better on the ground than it did through the air, as starter Drew Stanton threw for 109 yards and Ryan Lindley came in and added 30.

The Rams, meanwhile, managed just 69 yards on 20 carries (an average of 3.5 yards per rush) in the defense-heavy game, in which the only points were via field goals.

The Cardinals’ rushing attack was essential to controlling the pace, helping the team earn what few yards each defense was willing to allow. Eight of Arizona’s 13 first downs came on the ground — and one came via penalty.

Taylor broke off two long runs in the Cardinals’ 12-6 win: one for 17 yards on the first play from scrimmage, and a 21-yarder early in the fourth quarter. It was the second-year running back’s best performance since gaining 59 total yards and recording a rushing and a receiving touchdown on Oct. 19 in Oakland.

Williams had three runs of 10 yards or longer against St. Louis, including a 19-yard jaunt in the third quarter. The Utah State product also caught the first two passes of his NFL career, gaining 11 total yards.

It’s only been two games since starter Andre Ellington has been out with a hernia, and although he won’t be back this season, seeing the team rush for more than 140 yards in two straight games is an encouraging sign.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Running back by committee gets the job done for Arizona Cardinals in St. Louis