Arizona Cardinals (8-7) at Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
The Arizona Cardinals visit the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Here’s our complete guide to Cardinals-Rams Bet Tips. Odds and lines from Cardinals-Rams picks are from PointsBet, current as of Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Cardinals-Rams Bet Tips
Odds & Betting Lines for Cardinals-Rams
- Against The Spread: Cardinals -3 (-105)/Rams +3 (-115)
- Moneyline: Cardinals (-160)/Rams (+135)
- Total: 40.5 — Over 40.5 (-121)/Under 40.5 (+100)
- Implied Team Totals: Cardinals 21.75, Rams 18.75
Cardinals-Rams Picks overview: The Rams have lost control of their own postseason destiny and ultimately lost control of their placing on top of the NFC West. The division has now been clinched by the Seahawks. Losers of three of their past five games including two straight, the Rams will look to lock up a playoff spot with a win over the Cardinals, another team that has a shot to play when it counts.
The Cardinals have lost four of their past six games but have won two of their past three, but fell last week to the 49ers. The Cardinals must win and will need some help to advance.
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Cardinals-Rams Key Injuries
Cardinals
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray suffered a leg injury in last week’s loss to the 49ers. While there is optimism that Murray will be fine for the season finale against the Rams, nothing is set in stone. The good thing is that NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is suggesting that Murray “should be okay" for Sunday’s tilt with the Rams. What’s more, Murray himself is suggesting that he is ready and is expected to play.
If by any chance Murray sits, it will be Brett Hundley or Chris Streveler drawing the Week 17 start in a more than likely win or go home game.
Rams
The Rams are also hurting at quarterback and at wide receiver. QB Jared Goff suffered a dislocated thumb (on his throwing hand) in last week’s loss to the Seahawks. As a result, he underwent a procedure to repair the ailment and is unlikely to play in the season finale against Arizona.
If Goff sits, which is the expected outcome, John Wolford is expected to draw the pivotal Week 17 start over Blake Bortles.
Meanwhile, the Rams placed stud slot receiver, Cooper Kupp, on the reserve/ COVID list this week. He has already been ruled out for Week 17. Van Jefferson and Josh Reynolds are both in line for increased snaps in lieu of Kupp.
Cardinals Rams Players to Watch
Rams RB Malcolm Brown will draw the start at running back with both Darrell Henderson (ankle, IR) and Cam Akers (ankle) sidelined. While Brown is normally the change of pace back, he has popped when featured.
While he was the guy back in Week 1’s win over Dallas — Brown went for 110 total yards and two touchdowns — he only scored in two other games this season following his uplifting start to the year.
Brown went for 57 total yards and a touchdown back in Week 7 while going for 51 yards and two more scores in Week 10. Since that Week 10 outing against the Seahawks, Brown has gone for fewer than 35 total yards without a score in six consecutive games.
Brown will get a sometimes stout Arizona defense allowing the 10th most rushing yards per game (126.5). They just let Jeff Wilson go off for 204 total yards and a score last week.
Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins was hot entering last week’s loss tot he 49ers, posting back-to-back games with nine receptions and 136+ yards with one touchdown in that two-game period from Week 14-15. However, the 49ers managed to contain the elite wideout.
While Hopkins caught 8-of-12 targets, he only took them for 458 yards without a touchdown, As we have seen in games past when Hopkins is contained, the Cardinals usually lose the game, at least in the second half of the year.
Hopkins will look to help the Cardinals into the postseason by showing up against the Rams. While Hopkins didn’t go off back in Week 13’s meeting with Los Angeles, he still managed an 8/52/1 line on 13 targets.
All things considered, that is a terrific line facing a Rams defense allowing the fewest passing yards per game (192.3). Look for Hopkins to face-off against Jalen Ramsey as his primary cover corner.
Cardinals-Rams Weather Report
The weather at SoFi Stadium will not factor into the outcome of the game because it is a domed field.
Cardinals-Rams Picks & Bet Tips
BEST BET: Under 40.5 (+100)
In spite of a dangerously low total, I still favor the Under in this matchup between the Cardinals and Rams, two teams that can play defense, one of which, vastly better than most.
The Rams are allowing the third-fewest points per game (19.3) this season. And while the Cardinals are surrendering the 15th fewest PPG (23.3), the Rams will be playing without Jared Goff, Darrell Henderson, Cam Akers, and Cooper Kupp on offense.
Without their key offensive starters, the Rams, who sometimes struggle to put up points even with the aforementioned injured players in the lineup, will have a hard time moving the football altogether.
What’s more, while Kyler Murray is expected to play through his leg injury, he will not be at 100-percent full health.
We could be looking at two teams heavily featuring the run, which bodes well for the Under.
The Under is 4-2 in the Cardinals’ past six games, hitting last week.
The Under is 4-2 in the Rams’ past six games, hitting in three straight.
The Under is 4-3 in the past seven meetings between these two clubs, failing to hit in two straight.
The Under is 7-0 in the Cardinals’ past seven games on the road.
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CONSIDER: Cardinals (-160)
Even heavily shorthanded on offense, the Rams are still a dangerous team and can win any game if their defense is on. However, now that Kyler Murray is expected to play, he is a talented enough player, even when not at full health, to give his team the edge.
Sure, Murray may lose some mobility, but he still has an incredible arm and a bunch of reliable pass-catchers, including DeAndre Hopkins, one of the NFL’s elite.
The Rams will start John Wolford at quarterback. If he struggles, they will turn to Blake Bortles. The Cardinals’ defense could have a field day against this Rams’ offense.
The Rams have beaten the Cardinals straight up in seven consecutive games.
The Cardinals are 2-4 SU in their past six games, losing last week to the 49ers.
The Rams are 2-3 SU in their past five games, losing two straight.
CONSIDER: Cardinals -3 (-105)
If you think the Cardinals will not only win but also cover the three points, then you will get better odds playing the spread. However, this game could be close. The Moneyline is the wiser play.
The Rams are 2-3 against the spread in their past five games, failing to cover in two straight.
The Cardinals are 2-6 ATS in their past eight games, failing to cover last week.
The Rams are 6-0-1 ATS in their past seven meetings with the Cardinals.
Anthony Cervino is 61-50-2 on his NFL Best Bets in 2020.
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