The Arizona Cardinals just need a win to make it to the playoffs. The Los Angeles Rams can also make the postseason by beating Arizona. Only one team’s wish is going to be granted, though, in this game. Check out our preview of this game below.
The biggest question for the Cardinals heading into Week 17 is whether Kyler Murray will be healthy enough to play. Murray recently told reporters that he feels fine and ready to face off with the Rams despite a leg issue. That injury could take away some of Murray’s mobility, but at least the Cardinals have their starting quarterback slated to play unlike the Rams, who will have someone who goes by the name of John Wolford taking snaps under center. Murray had 173 passing yards and three touchdowns against just an interception on 21-of-39 completions in a 38-28 loss at home to the Rams back in Week 13. The Cardinals are getting a huge break this time around, especially their defense since the Rams are not only going to miss Jared Goff but their top two running backs as well in Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. Those three scored all of the Cardinals’ rushing touchdowns in Week 13.
The Cardinals, who lost to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday, 20-2, at home, are 3-2 against the spread in their last five games as road favorites.
The Rams are rolling with John Wolford as their starting quarterback in their all-important game on Sunday. Wolford has never thrown a single pass in the NFL. If anything, he led the AAF in passing touchdowns before jumping over to the NFL and signing with the Rams last year. It’s a strange situation for the Rams, as they will not even have their go-t0 running backs to ease the load off of the untested Wolford. That means the Rams’ fate will mostly be in the hands of their defense. The Rams, who are coming off a 20-9 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, can have success against a seemingly under-100% Kyler Murray. The Cards’ quarterback will be more vulnerable in the pocket with his ailing leg against the Rams’ pass rush that took him down twice in the first meeting between the two teams. Murray was also sacked thrice by the 49ers last week.
The under is 7-0 in the Rams’ last seven home games.
