The NFC West is getting more interesting by the week and with Arizona out of the playoff race, all eyes are on the Rams at home this weekend.
With a win, the Rams (9-6) are all but in the playoffs (99%), while a road loss to the Cardinals would cause the current 87% chance at the postseason to be more like 58%. Los Angeles has won four straight games and five of the past six to put themselves in playoff position. The Rams finish up the season with two home games versus NFC West opponents, the Cardinals and Seahawks.
Arizona’s playoff hopes were spoiled last week at home to the visiting Panthers, so maybe the Cardinals will do the same to the Rams. Arizona has lost four of the last five games since the bye week to fall out of the playoffs. At 7-8, a winning record is likely on the mind of the Arizona staff and players but the final two contests won’t be easy.
NBC Sports has all the latest info and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kickoff, odds from DraftKings, player news and updates, and of course our predictions and best bets for the game from our staff of experts.
Listen to the Bet the Edge podcast as hosts Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick provide listeners with sharp actionable insight, market analysis and statistical data to help bettors gain more information before placing their wagers.
Game Details and How to watch the Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams on Sunday
· Date: Saturday, December 28, 2024
· Time: 8:00 PM EST
· Site: SoFi Stadium
· City: Inglewood, CA
· TV/Streaming: NFL Network
Want to check out the other games on the NFL schedule this week? We’ve got you covered right here on NBC Sports with all the matchup, venue, game-time, and TV/streaming info so you won’t miss any of the action!
Game odds for Rams vs. Cardinals
The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Los Angeles Rams (-340), Arizona Cardinals (+270)
Spread: Rams -7 (-110)
Total: 47.5
The opening spread hasn’t budged from -6.5 or -7, while the total has fluctuated between 47.5 and 49.0. With the Cardinals being eliminated from making the playoffs, I’d expect this to close at Rams -7.5.
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Rams defense to pick off Kyler Murray at least once:
“In nine meetings versus the Rams, Murray has thrown an interception in four of those games, and oddly enough, they all came in December starts. Every other month in five other meetings, Murray has not thrown a pick, but he has in December against the Rams all four times. I think it will happen again.
Murray and the Cardinals are playing spoiler here, so chances are he will be playing loose. On top of that, James Conner is questionable and both backup running backs are dealing with injuries and are they’re questionable or out already, so Murray will have to throw more.
The Rams defense only has one interception in the last five games but with a win and in for the postseason, I expect the L.A. defense to be aggressive and gamble. I played Murray to go Over 0.5 interceptions at -120 odds.”
Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals team stats, betting trends
- Arizona is 9-6 ATS, ranking tied for 7th-best.
- Los Angeles is 8-7 ATS but 3-4 ATS as the home team.
- The Cardinals are 7-7-1 on the total and 3-3-1 on the road.
- The Rams are 4-3 to the Over as the home team and 8-7 to the Under overall.
- Matthew Stafford threw an interception last week for the first time in six games.
- Kyren Williams has rushed for at least 100 yards in three of the past four games.
- Cooper Kupp has had three or fewer catches in three of the last four games.
- Puka Nacua has at least seven receptions in six of the previous seven games.
- Kyler Murray has 200 or more passing yards in six straight games.
- Marvin Harrison Jr. has four or fewer receptions in four of the last five games.
Quarterback matchup for Los Angeles vs. Arizona
Los Angeles: Matthew Stafford – Stafford has 11 touchdowns and one interception over the last six games and has been on fire for the Rams. Stafford has 3,573 passing yards on the year to go with 20 touchdowns to eight interceptions and a 66.6 completion percentage.
Arizona: Kyler Murray - Murray has 21 total touchdowns and nine interceptions on the season to go along with 3,288 passing yards and 518 rushing yards. Murray’s 68.8 completion percentage is the second-best of his career.
Rams and Cardinals injury update
Los Angeles’ LB Troy Reeder (hamstring) and OL KT Leveston (ankle) are out, while DE Jared Verse (ankle) and DB Josh Wallace (hip) are questionable.
Arizona’s RB James Conner (knee), OL Evan Brown (neck), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (hand), OL Jonah Williams (illness), while RB Emari Demercado (neck), OL Paris Johnson (knee), K Matt Prater (knee), and P Blake Gillikin (foot) are out.
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest betting info & tools for NFL with game predictions, player props, futures, and trends!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
