The Los Angeles Rams (+15000 to win Super Bowl 54) were not expected in the preseason to be as desperate for wins as they are at this point. They will look to revitalize their playoff chances when they pay the Arizona Cardinals a visit. This will also be the first time that Kyler Murray will face Aaron Donald and the Rams’ defense, so that should add to this game’s intrigue.
The Rams are probably still experiencing nightmares following the beatdown they received at the hands of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in a 45-6 home in Week 12. What looked like an unstoppable offense by the Rams just a year ago, appeared to irreparable after that humiliation by Baltimore. Jared Goff passed for just 212 yards and had two interceptions on 26-of-37 completions. It’s worth noting that Goff played in all three November Rams games without passing a single touchdown. However, a game against the Cardinals brings a chance for Goff and the Rams’ attack to pick it up and gain momentum. The Cardinals are just 30th overall with 28.8 points per game and are second-worst with a defense that allows 415.2 total yards per contest. Defensively, the Rams should have an easier time getting to rookie Kyler Murray than Jackson, as the Cardinals are only 24th in the league in offensive quarterback sack percentage.
The Rams are 3-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games.
Betting on the Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1)
The Cardinals are finding ways to put points on the board, but their defense will have to tighten up. Arizona is averaging 22.0 points this season, but have improved as of late, as they have generated 26.0 points over their last three games, good for 10th in the league during that span. Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ defense continue to bleed, having surrendered 31.3 points over the same stretch. In their last game, the Cardinals absorbed a 36-26 road loss to the San Francisco 49ers. If anything, getting 26 points with a rookie quarterback can be considered as some form of a win for a team that went up against arguably the best defense in the pros. Kyler Murray passed for 150 yards and two touchdowns without an interception on 23-of-33 completions against the Niners. He also rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
The Cardinals are 6-3-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
