GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals offense is supposed to be one of the best, if not THE best, in the NFL.But at the start of games especially, its been a pushover.This might not be a good week to change that because on Sunday they face the bruising defense of the Los Angeles Rams .Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer said the Rams defense -- with the likes of Aaron Donald, Alec Ogletree and Robert Quinn -- is as good as it gets.These teams know each other well. The Rams won in Glendale last season and the Cardinals recognize theyre in for a rough afternoon. Los Angeles already has had two players ejected from games.We feel like these guys kind of challenge our manhood, Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson said. We take that personally.The Rams enter the game 2-1 and are coming off a 37-32 win at Tampa Bay.There was disappointment after Week 1 (a 28-0 loss to San Francisco), Los Angeles coach Jeff Fisher said, but we pulled them out of it. Thats what were most proud of right now. Theres no lack of confidence at all.The Cardinals are 1-2 and were blown out in Buffalo last Sunday 33-18. A 1/3 start would be devastating for a team that went 13-3 last season and expects to contend for the Super Bowl.Here are some things to consider when the Rams meet the Cardinals:CARDINALS CHALLENGE: Theres no way the Cardinals should overlook anyone now.Theres nobody that cant be beat and nobody that you cant beat, Arizona coach Bruce Arians said. Thats the way you have to look at every week.This is new territory for an Arizona team accustomed to success under Arians.We wont really know what kind of team we have until were facing some adversity, safety Tyron Mathieu said. Weve been challenged. In the past weve dealt with injuries, but I dont think we ever really dealt with just getting our butts whupped. Its a new set of adversities. Its a new challenge for us.GETTING OVER: The Rams are 2-1, but thats a big deal to a franchise that hasnt made the playoffs since 2004. Theyre off to their best start to a season since 2006, and they could also move to two games above .500 for the first time in a decade with a victory in Glendale.The Rams were eager to make a good impression on Los Angeles despite beginning their return season with just two home games in the first two months. So two NFC West victories in September would be significant.Ive never made the playoffs with the Rams, so it would be big to get off to a good start in the division, defensive lineman Eugene Sims said.OFFENSE IMPROVES: The Rams still have the NFLs least productive offense, but they finally scored their first touchdowns of the season last week in Tampa Bay, lessening the pressure on Fisher to play No. 1 pick QB Jared Goff immediately.Offensive coordinator Rob Boras sees steady progress from his unit and breakout potential for star running back Todd Gurley, who has been limited to 183 yards in three games. Gurley had the first big game of his Offensive Rookie of the Year season at Arizona last year, piling up 146 yards. Quarterback Case Keenum hasnt faced the vaunted Arizona defense since 2013 with Houston, watching both matchups last season as Nick Foles backup.FITZS HISTORY: Larry Fitzgerald has made big plays against just about every team in the league, but the eight-time Pro Bowl receiver has been especially hard on the Rams.In his 10 games against them, Fitzgerald 153 receptions for 1,785 yards and 16 touchdowns. Thats more receptions and TD catches than he has against any other team.KICKING CHANGE: The Arizona long snapper sent the ball sailing over the holders head, turning what would have been a chip-shot field goal into a Buffalo touchdown last Sunday. And the punters already-injured ankle worsened. So there will be a new snapper and punter for Arizona against the Rams.Rookie Kameron Canady, who had other shaky snaps in the first two games, was released Tuesday and replaced a day later by Aaron Brewer. Brewer was the snapper for Denver in all 64 regular-season games and eight postseason contests the past four seasons.With punter Drew Butler in a walking boot, Arizona signed Ryan Quigley, the punter for the New York Jets the past three seasons. Quigley also will take over Butlers holder duties.---AP sports writer Greg Beacham in Los Angeles contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Wholesale Soccer Jerseys . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Authentic Soccer Jerseys Discount .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. http://www.cheapsoccerjerseysnearme.com/ . Capitals head coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin was injured in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and clarified it was not a head injury. Wholesale Adidas Soccer Jerseys . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Cheap Nike Soccer Jerseys . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. Chicago Cubs slugger Kris Bryant has been voted the National League MVP, capping off a historic season for the 24-year-old star.Bryant received 29 of a possible 30 first-place votes.?Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy was the runner-up. Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, who was the unanimous winner of the NL Rookie of the Year award on Monday, finished third.?This year has certainly been one of the best years of my life, said Bryant, who is set to get married in January. I mean, winning a World Series, now this. Its just icing on the cake.Voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America was completed by the start of the playoffs. The BBWAA has voted for the award since 1931.Bryant was arguably the best offensive player on the best team in the game and showed exceptional defensive versatility by playing in both the infield and the outfield.He hit .292 with 39 homers and 102 RBIs in just his second year in the majors, helping the Cubs to their first World Series title since 1908.Bryant led the National League with a 7.67 WAR and was the only NL player in the top 10 in that category. He also ranked third in the NL in home runs (39), fourth in OPS (.939) and sixth in RBIs (102).?The 2015 NL Rookie of the Year, Bryant also led the league in runs scored with 121.KKris is just an impressive young man in every aspect, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said.dddddddddddd. [He] is very mature, professional, light-hearted, but serious at the same time. Hes just kind of a dream player for any organization.Bryant becomes the Cubs first MVP since Sammy Sosa won the award in 1998. The once-forlorn franchise enjoyed its best run in decades and also had two of the seasons top MVP candidates, with Bryants teammate, first baseman?Anthony Rizzo, finishing fourth in the voting.If it wasnt for Anthony and his protection and guidance, I wouldnt have won this award, Bryant said. I mean, he texted me, and I said the same thing to him. I said, If it wasnt for you, I wouldnt have been able to do this.Bryant joins Dustin Pedroia (2007-08), Ryan Howard (2005-06) and Cal Ripken (1982-83) as the only players to win Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in consecutive seasons. Ichiro Suzuki (2001) and Fred Lynn (1975) are the only players to win the awards in the same year.He was the unanimous NL Rookie of the Year after he hit .275 with 26 homers and 99 RBIs last season.Information from The Associated Press and ESPNs Jesse Rogers contributed to this report. ' ' '