Cardinals vs Rams Picks & Odds: Will L.A. Continue Its Dominance Over Arizona?

A pair of teams trying to stay in the NFC West race and snap two-game losing streaks hook up in Hollywood as the Los Angeles Rams (3-5 SU, 2-5-1 ATS) host the Arizona Cardinals (3-6, 4-5). The Rams are hoping to sweep the season series after defeating the Cards 20-12 back in Week 3. See below for more on this matchup, including a Cardinals vs Rams prediction. 

Join A Top-Tier NFL Betting Site Now

Cardinals vs Rams Sportsbook Odds

Los Angeles opened as a 3-point favorite or -170 on the moneyline. The Rams have dominated this rivalry in recent years, going 11-1 SU in the last 12 meetings. In fact, the Cardinals have only covered the spread once during that stretch. The total opened at 45 but has since dropped slightly. In five of the Rams’ last six games, the result has gone UNDER.  

Get the best Cardinals vs Rams odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Frustration Setting In For The Cardinals

Arizona has lost four of its last five games and is now three games back of Seattle for the division lead. To make matters worse, the Cards are 0-3 in divisional games so far this season, including last week’s 31-21 loss to those same Seahawks. 

Quarterback Kyler Murray struggled Sunday, finishing the day with just 175 passing yards and a costly fumble late in the first half. Following the loss, Murray said the team is playing some “bad football” right now. The last time the Cardinals played the Rams, Murray attempted a season-high 58 passes but managed to score only 12 points.

He will need to be on the same page as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this week after the two got into a heated exchange on the sideline Sunday. Despite being targeted just five times vs Seattle, Hopkins is averaging 99 receiving yards per game since returning from a suspension. 

Rams Offense Struggling This Season

This doesn’t appear to be the same team that won the Super Bowl just nine months ago. Like the Cardinals, the Rams have lost four of their last five games and are averaging just 16 points per game this season, the lowest in the NFC.

The good news for Rams fans, though, is that only the Detroit Lions give up more points per game than Arizona, so there is definitely an opportunity to break out offensively this week.   

If they are to do that, Cooper Kupp will likely play a big part. He is fourth in the league with 813 receiving yards this season and has hit the 100-yard mark in five of the Rams’ eight games. It should be noted, though, that Kupp had a season-low 44 yards in Week 3 vs the Cardinals.  

Cardinals: Keys to Win

Play more disciplined. Untimely penalties have killed the Cards this season. Arizona has taken the third most penalties in the league, including 16 false starts. On the flip side, the Rams are the least penalized team in the NFL. If the Cards don’t have their drives derailed by flags, then they could leave Los Angeles with their first division win of the season. 

Rams: Keys to Win

Matthew Stafford. The Rams quarterback is statistically coming off his worst game of the season, completing just 13 passes for 165 yards. It doesn’t help that the run game has been non-existent this year. If the offensive line can give Stafford time, the veteran QB should be able to pick apart this struggling Cards defense. If that is the case, take the home team when making your Cardinals vs Rams pick.  

NFL Computer Pick: Rams -3

Check out more of our signature NFL and college football computer picks, plus our favorite sportsbooks that serve football customers.