The Arizona Cardinals just continue to defy everyone’s expectations. After cooling off the red-hot Dallas Cowboys running game, they now sit alone at the top of the standings with an NFL-best 7-1 record.
The Cards will be full of confidence heading into their home game against the St. Louis Rams, but they would be wise not to get too confident. The Rams seem to have rediscovered their pass rush, and have already taken out some big-name opponents this season.
The Philadelphia Eagles will look to keep pace with the Cardinals in the chase for the best record in the NFC when they face the Carolina Panthers this week. You can find our preview of that game here.
[sc:Football ]St. Louis Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale
When: Sunday, November 9, 4:30PM ET
Line: St. Louis Rams (+7.5) at Arizona Cardinals (-7.5); total 43.5 – see all NFL lines
Betting on the St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are just 3-5 to start the season, but two out of their three wins have now come against the NFC West’s two powerhouses, the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers. While the Rams pulled off some crazy special teams plays against the Seahawks, they finally produced the stifling defense against Niners that was expected of them this season.
[sc:NFL240banner ]St. Louis held the Niners to a season-low 10 points and 263 total yards on offense at San Francisco. The Rams’ fearsome defensive line sacked Colin Kaepernick eight times and caused him to fumble the ball three times, including the game-sealing goal-line turnover which sealed their 13-10 win.
That was the sort of penetrating pass rush many had envisaged for the Rams, and it might finally be coming to fruition halfway through the season. The Rams will need their talented defensive line to disrupt Carson Palmer and the Cardinals offense, especially if their offense continues to struggle.
After looking like a Cinderella story in the first few games of the season, quarterback Austin Davis may finally be turning back into a pumpkin. Davis went just 13 for 24 for a season-low 105 yards with a touchdown and two bad interceptions against the Niners. He finished with a 44.6 passer rating, by far his lowest of the season.
With the Rams highly unlikely to run the ball effectively against the run-devouring Cardinals defense, it’ll be up to Davis’ arm to carry the offense in Arizona. The St. Louis offensive line will need to protect their young quarterback a lot better, though. The Rams are right near the bottom of the NFL in adjusted sack rate, allowing their quarterback to get sacked in almost nine percent of his dropbacks.
The Rams are 2-1 against spreads of six or higher this season. They won two of those games straight up.
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Betting on the Arizona Cardinals
If there were any doubts about Arizona’s ability to shut down opposing running games, the Cardinals’ 28-17 win over the Cowboys should put those remaining doubts to bed.
The Cards’ run defense, which is limiting opponents to 80 yards per game (3rd in the NFL) became the first team to keep DeMarco Murray and the Cowboys running game from 100 yards this year, a big factor in them claiming a fourth-straight win and a clean sweep of the NFC East this year.
Tony Romo’s absence was another factor, but the Cardinals secondary also had a hand in keeping the dangerous Dallas receivers quiet. Lockdown corner Patrick Peterson in particular was excellent, as he effectively took Dez Bryant out of the game, holding him to two catches on 10 targets for 15 yards.
With the Cardinals run defense playing oh-so-well, the pass is the Rams’ best – and likely only hope – of moving the ball, which will suit Arizona just fine.
The blitz-happy Cards defense, which sends five or more rushers in over 40 percent of dropbacks, will look to create pressure on Davis’ dropbacks, while Peterson, playmaking safety Tyrann Mathieu and the rest of the Cardinals secondary (12 interceptions this season, T-1st in NFL) will be eager to pounce on any ill-advised throw.
Arizona’s offense hasn’t been terribly explosive, but it’s definitely been consistent. The Cards have scored at least 20 points in their last seven games. Quarterback Carson Palmer has thrown for two touchdowns in his last four games, while Andre Ellington continues to rack up yards. The perpetually banged up running back has topped 100 all-purpose yards in four-straight games.
Dating back to last season, the Cardinals are 10-2 in their last 12 home games, and have covered in the last three in a row.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cardinals’ defense suffocates St. Louis’ offense, while Palmer and Ellington generate enough points to win and cover comfortably at home.
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