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4:02 pm | September 16, 2018 | Go to Source | Author:

7:17 PM ET

Lindsey ThiryESPN
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- Covered Rams for two years for Los Angeles Times
- Previously covered the Falcons
- Has covered the NBA and college football and basketball

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams could be the best team in football.

And that might not be up for argument after a 34-0 shutout of the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The offense? Unstoppable, as Jared Goff utilized every playmaker in his lineup.

The defense? Impenetrable, with Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald hunting quarterbacks.

And special teams? They managed even without Pro Bowl kicker Greg Zuerlein, who was sidelined Sunday because of a groin. Returner JoJo Natson, who last week watched NFL games from his home in Florida, was signed earlier this week and provided a spark in the return game.

The Rams (2-0) spent the offseason making over their defense, trading for cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters and signing Suh in free agency. The unit, which also features the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in Donald, was considered the best defense in the league, at least on paper, after it was assembled.

But on Sunday, Wade Phillips’ group became the best defense on the field.

The Rams held the Cardinals (0-2) to 137 yards of total offense. The defensive front kept pressure on quarterback Sam Bradford, who completed 17 of 27 passes for 90 yards. Donald rebounded from a disappointing performance in Week 1. And in the secondary, Talib and safety John Johnson managed several pass break ups. As for Peters, Bradford stayed away from the ball hawk.

A week after coach Sean McVay expressed frustration with the Rams’ red zone offense, the unit had no choice but to work through its issues with Zuerlein sidelined. Perhaps the sure-legged kickers’ absence was a blessing in disguise.

Gurley scored three red zone touchdowns, and also converted two two-point conversions.

And as for the deep passes that Goff struggled to connect on with Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods in Week 1?

That doesn’t seem to be an issue any longer, either. Goff aired it out to Cooks, who caught a 57-yard bomb in third quarter. Woods also made an impressive 21-yard catch. Not to be left out, Cooper Kupp caught a 29-yard throw.

Goff completed 24 of 32 passes for 354 yards, with a touchdown and an interception.