Rams rebounds behind young defense
Jeff Fisher began rebuilding the St. Louis Rams’ confidence when he was hired as head coach in mid-January. Now they have the results to back it up.
Heading into a 10-day gap between games, the Rams (3-2) have more to savor than just knocking off previously unbeaten Arizona. They’ve already topped their win total from the dismal 2011 season with 11 games to go, and they’re 3-0 at home for the first time since 2003.
The key to Thursday’s 17-3 victory over the Cardinals was a fast-improving defense that sacked Kevin Kolb nine times. It was the Rams’ best total in 14 years, with very little blitzing. End Robert Quinn, one of three first-round picks on the line, had three sacks.
“It’s a new mindset overall,” Quinn said. “We knew we had it in us, it’s just really fitting the pieces and getting them to click together.
“Everything is starting to jell.”
The defense took the pressure off an offense that’s scuffled lately. Tight end Lance Kendricks’ first-quarter touchdown reception was the first TD for the offense in three games.
Fisher said he’d have an injury report on Wednesday regarding wide receiver Danny Amendola, but the coach said he was certain Amendola would miss the Oct. 14 game at Miami with a right should he hurt diving for a catch against Arizona.
• Jackson free to leave after season: Rams running back Steven Jackson can void the final year of his contract after this season in a compromise after talks fell through on a long-term deal.
Quick kicks
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be at full strength Sunday with running back Rashard Mendenhall, linebacker James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu all completing a full week of practice. … Linebackers Chad Greenway of Minnesota and Brandon Spikes of New England were fined $21,000 by the league for unnecessary roughness in games last weekend. … The Denver Broncos will be without linebacker D.J. Williams until mid-November after the league added three games to his suspension. … Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson missed practice to be with his girlfriend during the birth of his third child. He will play Sunday.