The Los Angeles Rams (-13.5) are set to face off against their NFC West nemesis Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. FOX will broadcast the action and this late afternoon game is scheduled to start at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams
In this Sunday NFC matchup, Los Angeles is projected as the big favorite and is currently giving up 13.5 points. The Rams are also receiving -875 moneyline odds while the Cardinals are +525. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 47.5 points, and some solid live betting possibilities should exist throughout the game.
The line opened at 14 while the total hasn’t moved since it was initially set at 47.5.
The Rams are 5-7-2 against the spread (ATS) and are down 0.7 units so far in 2018. The team’s posted an Over-Under record of 6-7-1.
The Cardinals are down 3.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 6-8 ATS and have an O/U record of 6-8.
The Rams are 11-3 straight up (SU), including 4-0 SU against NFC West opponents. The Cardinals are 3-11 SU overall and 2-2 SU against divisional foes.
Both teams enter this matchup on two-game losing skids. The Rams fell to Philadelphia 30-23 in a Week 15 matchup where their defense allowed the Eagles to eat up the clock by running for 111 yards on 30 rush attempts, including three rush TDs. Alshon Jeffery had a productive day for the Eagles in that one with 160 yards on eight catches. On the offensive side, Jared Goff completed 35 passes for 339 yards and two interceptions. Todd Gurley II (48 yards on 12 rush attempts, two TDs) led the ground attack in the loss. Gurley II (10 receptions, 76 yards) and Robert Woods (seven catches, 74 yards) handled the receiving duties.
In Week 15, Atlanta took care of this Arizona team by a score of 40-14. The Cards defense allowed the Falcons to run for 215 yards on 27 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. Tevin Coleman had a productive outing for Atlanta, accounting for 145 rushing yards and a score on 11 attempts. As a group, the Cards collectively completed 23-of-36 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Josh Rosen went 13-for-22 for 132 yards and two interceptions while Mike Glennon was 10-of-14 for 111 yards and one touchdown. David Johnson (33 rushing yards on 11 attempts, one TD) handled the ground game in the defeat while Larry Fitzgerald (seven receptions, 82 yards) and T.J. Logan (four catches, 18 yards) led the receiving attack.
In terms of offensive play-calling, each of these teams has a similar (42-58) run-pass ratio on the season. Having said that, the Rams have rushed for 129.1 yards per game (including 135.0 per game against West opponents) and have 19 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Cards haven’t been as productive, as they’re putting up 82.4 rush yards per game (72.5 in conference) and have nine total rushing TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then it seems like the Rams ought to hold an advantage in the trenches, as their offensive line has allowed just 28 sacks while their D-line registered 48 sacks. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have given up 52 sacks and their defense has recorded only 37 sacks.
The Rams offensive scheme has averaged 306.6 yards in the air overall (298.8 per game against conference opposition) and has 27 passing TDs so far. The Cards have put up 182.4 pass yards per contest (173 in the NFC) and have 13 total pass scores.
Los Angeles has allowed opponents to run for an average of 123.3 yards and pass for 260.1 yards per game. The Arizona defense has given up 230.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 144.9 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Rams have given up an ANY/A of 6.41 to opposing QBs, while the Cards are allowing an ANY/A of 6.12.
Passing-wise, Goff is already up to 4,093 yards this year, and has connected on 66 percent of his 468 attempts with 27 scores through the air and nine interceptions. Goff has an 8.20 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 2.12 over the last two outings.
On the other sideline, Josh Rosen has connected on 161-of-295 passes for 1,802 yards, 10 TDs and 13 INTs. Rosen’s ANY/A sits at a minuscule 3.60 for the year and 2.40 over his past two games.
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals Free NFL Tip
SU Winner: Rams, ATS Winner: Cardinals, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
- Arizona has lost eight fumbles this season while Los Angeles has let five get away.
- The Arizona defense has produced 41 sacks on the year while Los Angeles has just 34.
- Los Angeles, as a team, has produced 4.7 yards per carry over its past three games and 4.3 over its last two.
- Arizona has averaged 4.2 yards per carry over its last three outings and 2.8 over its past two.
- In its last three contests, Arizona is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Los Angeles’ last game was set at 53. The O/U pushed in the team’s 30-23 defeat to Philadelphia.
- In its last three matches, Los Angeles is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Arizona’s last match going into it was 43.5. The over cashed in the 40-14 defeat to Atlanta.
- Arizona has lost six of its last seven games SU, with a three-point win over Green Bay on December 2nd accounting for its only victory over that span.
