St. Louis Rams (3-5) at Arizona Cardinals (7-1)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, ariz. – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale

*Keys to the game: The Rams have a slight edge in time of possession on the season despite sporting the league’s 22nd-ranked run game and a third-string quarterback. The key is they have stayed committed to the ground game as long as possible to help protect QB Austin Davis. That formula will be difficult with an injury-shuffled offensive line tasked with handling the league’s third-ranked run defense. Davis has completed 64.2 percent of his passes, but he has been picked off seven times and sacked 23 despite good mobility. If Arizona can back him into long passing downs, coordinator Todd Bowles will bring pressure looks Davis has never seen in game action.

After a shockingly slow start, the Rams’ pass rush has dialed up the heat in recent weeks — including eight sacks of mobile 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick last week. The Cardinals have a nice balance of RB Andre Ellington setting the table for QB Carson Palmer, who has thrown just two interceptions while enjoying much improved protection this season. St. Louis must force multiple mistakes by Palmer, who will pick apart the Rams’ secondary given time.

Friday injury report:

ST. LOUIS RAMS

–Doubtful: LB Daren Bates (groin)

–Questionable: S Cody Davis (concussion), CB Janoris Jenkins (knee), CB Marcus Roberson (ankle)

–Probable: LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar (toe), CB E.J. Gaines (knee), TE Cory Harkey (knee), DE William Hayes (fibula), S Rodney McLeod (knee)

ARIZONA CARDINALS

–Out: LB Desmond Bishop (hamstring), RB Stepfan Taylor (calf)

–Questionable: DT Ed Stinson (groin)

–Probable: LB Lorenzo Alexander (knee), LB Marcus Benard (illness), RB Andre Ellington (foot), LB Larry Foote (back), T Bobby Massie (ankle, knee)

*Matchup to watch – Rams DE Robert Quinn vs. Cardinals LT Jared Veldheer: Quinn had three sacks in the 2013 opener, a big reason Levi Brown was traded three weeks later and the Cardinals threw $37.5 million at Veldheer in free agency. Veldheer has played well, rarely requiring help. After going sackless through five games, Quinn has exploded for five the past three weeks.

*Player spotlight – Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson: Peterson has been called for a league-high 10 penalties this season, nine of which have been accepted. But coach Bruce Arians insists he’s not concerned as Peterson regularly shadows the opponents’ top wideout.

*Fast facts: The Cardinals are 13-3 in their last 16 games and 14-3 in their last 17. They are also seeking their first 8-1 start since 1948. … Davis has a 113.5 passer rating in the first quarter, compared to 80.3 in the second half.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Rams have picked off Seattle and San Francisco the past three weeks, so Arizona certainly won’t look past their division rival. Arizona’s run defense has backed far more experienced quarterbacks into dangerous situations than the inconsistent Davis.

*Our pick: Cardinals 24-13