The Los Angeles Rams (9-3) and Arizona Cardinals (3-9) meet in NFL Week 14 on Sunday, Dec. 7. Kickoff is set for in 4:25 p.m. ET from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The game will broadcast live on FOX.
The Rams are favored by 10 points on the spread (Rams -10), with the over/under set at 47.5 total points. The Rams are -500 moneyline favorites while the Cardinals are +390 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rams vs Cardinals prediction for today's NFC West game.
Rams vs Cardinals Prediction
- Rams vs Cardinals pick: Cardinals +9.5
My Rams vs Cardinals best bet is on Arizona to cover the spread. Find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Rams vs Cardinals Odds
| Rams Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10 -105 | 47.5 -110o / -110u | -500 |
| Cardinals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10 -115 | 47.5 -110o / -110u | +390 |
Rams vs Cardinals NFL Week 14 Preview
Los Angeles Rams Betting Preview
The Rams aren't the top seed in the NFC, but they're certainly looking like the best team in the conference by the eye test. The offense is the driving force behind all the success, and even in recent weeks against some sound defensive teams, L.A. has still played with essentially a 21-point baseline.
There was some trouble for the Rams last week against Carolina, but it was hardly the offense's fault.
Matthew Stafford had another efficient day and the team ran for 7.2 yards per carry, but two interceptions from Stafford and a lost fumble doomed them. Carolina also had success moving the ball on the ground, which isn't something the Cardinals do all that well.
In terms of injuries, it seems as if L.A. should have most of its big hitters.
Tutu Atwell was able to get in a full practice on Friday and looks likely to play, and Kyren Williams and Davante Adams will be in there on offense.
DT Poona Ford's in danger of missing this one with a calf injury, but as noted above, it's not as if even a middling run defense would crack against Arizona's backfield.
Arizona Cardinals Betting Preview
The Cardinals, as I say, are just a football team trying their very best. This is a roster bereft of much talent, but the personnel has played extremely hard and exceeded any expectations laid out in front of them.
The biggest strength would have to be the defense.
Arizona's secondary ranks ninth in DVOA versus the pass and 13th in completion percentage allowed. Of course, the run defense hasn't exactly been stellar, but the Cardinals are still giving up a fair 4.3 yards per carry, which fortifies their place around the middle of the league.
Offensively, Jacoby Brissett has given this team far more than it ever could have asked for amidst another injury-riddled campaign for Kyler Murray, and it's not like the sample size is very small.
Arizona is throwing the third-most of any team this year, a result of its lackluster play on defense, and it ranks seventh in completion percentage and 18th in overall DVOA through the air.
Of course, Brissett has had to run for his life in the backfield, and even with his mobility the Cardinals are still giving up the eighth-highest sack rate.
Rams vs Cardinals Prediction, Betting Analysis
There wasn't much talk about the Rams offense, because we know how complete it is. It ranks sixth in scoring average, leaning pretty equally on the pass and the run, but it's been very apparent that this team's biggest strength lies in throwing the ball.
That creates an interesting matchup here with an undeniably solid Cardinals secondary, one which has been torched by the Seahawks and 49ers in recent weeks, but one which has ultimately stood tall against the likes of the Packers, Cowboys and Buccaneers over the last couple of months.
Is there any stopping the Rams from scoring? It's unlikely, but all the Cardinals need to do is slow things down to get an opportunity to compete in this game.
They've done a decent job of ball-hawking with the 15th-best interception rate, and they've limited opponents to a solid 64% completion percentage. Arizona's capable of covering again and improving to 7-6 against the spread.
Pick: Cardinals +10 | Play to +8.5
Spread
As mentioned, I like the Cardinals to cover the spread.
Moneyline
I'll not be betting on either side of the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm also staying away from game totals
