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— Monday, December 13th Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals
Week 14 of the NFL season ends with a battle for the top of the NFC West as the 8-4 Los Angeles Rams head to the desert to face the 10-2 Arizona Cardinals. The hosts can clinch a playoff spot with a win and take a three-game lead in the division, while the Rams need to win to keep their division hopes alive. Kickoff at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Cardinals beat the Rams 37-20 in October to end an eight-game losing streak in this divisional rivalry. All-time, the Rams lead the series 45-39-2, and they have won six straight in Arizona, dating back to a 2014 loss. The winner of this matchup has scored at least 30 points in nine of the last ten meetings, with last year’s 18-7 Rams win as the only exception.
Rams Defense Struggling
The Rams are 5-7 ATS this season, 1-5 in their last six, and the over is 6-5-1 in their 12 games. The offense ranks second in the NFL in passing (289 ypg) and fifth in scoring (28 ppg) but just 24th in rushing (97.9 ypg). The defense ranks seventh against the run (100.4 ypg) and 16th against the pass (338.8) while allowing 22.5 ppg.
It is unusual to see the Rams defense allowing points at the rate they have over the last month. Despite adding All-Pro linebacker Von Miller, they have allowed at least 28 points in three of the last four games, all losses. The lone exception was giving up seven to Jacksonville, and they allowed over 350 yards to both San Francisco and Green Bay.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown for more than 300 yards just once in the last four games after topping that total five times in the first eight games. He’s thrown a touchdown pass in every game this season and thrown multiple touchdowns in nine games. Overall he has 3,611 yards with 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 67 percent of his passes.
Running back Darrell Henderson will miss his second straight game on the COVID-19 list, leaving the rush attack to Sony Michel. Last week Michel ran for a season-best 121 yards on 24 carries and scored his second touchdown of the season. He started for Henderson in September as well and ran 20 times for 67 yards.
Wideout Cooper Kupp is having a special season with 100 receptions for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns. Van Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr. have filled in for an injured Robert Woods, and Jefferson has scored in two straight games. Tight end Tyler Higbee has 44 catches for 396 yards and three scores.
Cardinals Getting Healthy
The Cardinals are 9-3 ATS this season, and the total is 6-6 in their 12 games. The defense ranks fourth in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (318.8), pass yards allowed (205.1), and points allowed (18.7). The offense has dealt with a lot of key injuries but still ranks third in scoring (38/6 ppg), eighth in rushing (124.2 ypg), and 11th in passing (244.6 ypg).
Quarterback Kyler Murray returned last week after missing three games, and he threw for 123 yards and ran for 59 while accounting for three scores in a win over Chicago. In nine games this season, he’s thrown for 2,399 yards and 19 touchdowns while leading the NFL by completing 72.7 percent of his passes. Murray carved the Rams apart in October, going 24-for-32 for 268 and two touchdowns.
Running back Chase Edmonds is a game-time decision with an ankle injury after missing the last three games. In his place, James Conner has scored four touchdowns while rushing for 272 yards. The Cardinals ran for 216 yards against the Rams in the first meeting as Conner scored twice and Edmonds finished with 120 yards.
All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins also returned against Chicago last week and caught two passes for 32 yards and a touchdown. Christian Kirk leads the team with 50 catches for 632 yards while Hopkins has a team-best eight touchdowns. Tight end Zach Ertz has 23 catches in six games since joining the team, while A.J. Green has 35 catches for 552 yards.
Betting Analysis
- Los Angeles Rams +2 (-110). Money Line +110
- Arizona Cardinals -2 (-110) Money Line -130
- Total Points: 51. Over -110. Under -110
It seems a little disrespectful to the team with the best record in the NFL to only be a two-point favorite at home. The Cardinals pounded the Rams in the first matchup this season and are finally healthy again with Murray, Hopkins, and likely Edmonds back in the lineup.
The Rams flopped in three-straight games against winning teams in November and haven’t beaten a team with a winning record since September.
Betting Pick: Arizona -2 (-110)
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