The Sports Xchange

St. Louis Rams (1-2) at Arizona Cardinals (3-0)

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

*TV announcers: Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Tony Siragusa

*Keys to the game: QB Carson Palmer and WR Larry Fitzgerald are trying to prove 30-somethings are superstars, too, combining for 333 yards, five touchdowns and sparking the Cardinals to an NFL-high 126 points through three games. The Rams sachet into the desert with 16 total points staring into the teeth of a defense with seven takeaways. St. Louis might not solve the Cardinals’ five-defensive back base defense without better play from the offensive line and more fireworks from QB Nick Foles, who threw for 411 yards against Arizona last season while playing for the Eagles.

Arizona’s defensive line has caused problems consistently, and the Rams are overmatched up front. That doesn’t bode well for a ground game yet to get going, and the Cardinals won’t let the Rams’ receivers off the line without a fight.

Arizona’s points have come in most every fashion – four returns, seven TD passes – and starting RB Andre Ellington could be back this week. The Cardinals have an impressive offensive arsenal that affords the ability to play up-tempo or engage in an alley brawl and Palmer has been sacked just once this season.

*Matchup to watch – Rams DT Aaron Donald vs. Cardinals offensive line: Donald whipped RG Jonathan Cooper and injured Cardinals QB Drew Stanton the last time he played Arizona and St. Louis leads the NFL with 13 sacks. The Cardinals would benefit from the return of LG Mike Iupati.

*Player spotlight – Cardinals S Deone Bucannon: A hybrid defender who plays in the box as a linebacker and also flips his hips to run with backs and tight ends, his versatility is a major factor in Arizona’s thriving secondary.

*Fast facts: Only four other teams in NFL history have scored 126 points in the first three games of a season. … The Rams have lost three straight meetings by a combined 43 points.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Cardinals are on Cloud Nine and building chemistry with contributions all around the roster. The Rams enter with a puncher’s chance because of their defensive line, but St. Louis hasn’t shown it can keep pace with Carson Palmer.

*Our pick: Cardinals 26-16.