PHX Reporter

Rivalries in the NFL are viewed differently than collegiate ones.

In the locker room, trash will occasionally be talked, whether it's Xavier Weaver's Colorado Buffaloes that will play Trey McBride's Colorado State Rams this weekend or the Apple Cup between Budda Baker's University of Washington and Jalen Thompson's Washington State.

But in Jonathan Gannon's eyes, the Cardinals don't have any rivals, per se. NFL "rivalries" don't have the same feel as Louisville versus Kentucky or "The Game" between Ohio State and Michigan.

If there is any comparison, it is within the division, and the Cardinals begin that Sunday when they host the Rams at State Farm Stadium.

"Every game is so important to me," Gannon said. "But I do think it starts with, you've got to compete and win division games.

"I never got into the rivalry deal. Leave that for the fans."

Defensive lineman Roy Lopez, who grew up in the Valley, can speak on it from both the perspective of a player and a fan. Division games provide an extra jolt of energy in the team's preparation.

"The more I've learned to play in the league, you understand why those games are all circled and excited for," Lopez said. "First home game, divisional opponent, L.A. Rams, man, it's a dream."

Big division success "is how you get to the playoffs; that's what everybody wants," he said.

A win will give Gannon his first division victory since becoming Cardinals head coach, end the Rams' streak of 10 consecutive wins at State Farm Stadium, and bring the Cardinals back to 1-1 after a season-opening loss at Buffalo.

"Obviously everybody's got their perspective and opinions on where we're going to finish and stuff like that, but we know who we have in the locker room and what our mindset is," quarterback Kyler Murray said. "Last weekend obviously leaves a nasty taste in your mouth, but you win this weekend and you're not really even thinking about last week."

Baker has competed against the Rams plenty of times since being drafted in 2017. Dating back to college—and continuing with the theme of rivalries—Baker has lined up across from the Rams' Cooper Kupp during his time at Eastern Washington. "He's always been a hard-working guy, great player; excited to go against him," Baker said of his opponent.

While the Cardinals might view themselves as an organization that's unrivaled, Baker knows a strong start in the division can certainly help in the long run.

"It's very important to win those divisional games, but we're grinding and we're working and living in the present taking it one day at a time," Baker said. "Just trying to have that 1-0 mentality; so of course it'll be great to win period, whether it's a division opponent or not. That's what we're working towards."