Arizona Cardinals (7-8) will take on the Los Angeles Rams (9-6) on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. EST, a matchup that will be broadcast on the NFL Network.
According to BetMGM, the Rams are favored by 6.5 points in this contest. In terms of performance against the spread this season, the Cardinals stand at 9-6 while the Rams have an 8-7 record.
The Rams currently lead the series with a record of 50 wins, 41 losses, and 2 ties. In their last encounter on September 15, the Cardinals achieved a decisive 41-10 victory over the Rams in Glendale, Arizona. Last week, the Cardinals fell to the Carolina Panthers in overtime with a score of 36-30, while the Rams secured a win over the New York Jets, finishing 19-9.
Examining the Cardinals, their offense ranks 11th overall, with a high rush offense at 5th but a lower pass offense at 20th and scoring at 14th. Meanwhile, their defense sees them ranked 20th overall, with 22nd in rushing, 13th in passing, and tied for 13th in scoring.
The Rams’ offense ranks slightly lower at 15th overall, with a rushing attack at 20th and passing at 13th, scoring 17th overall. Their defense is positioned at 24th overall, struggling against both the run and the pass, ranking 25th and 19th, respectively, along with a scoring rank of 21st.
In terms of turnover differential, the Cardinals are at minus-4 while the Rams enjoy a plus-5 advantage.
For the Cardinals, rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is a standout player to watch with his impressive statistics: 51 receptions for 726 yards and seven touchdowns. However, the team is eager to see him evolve into the transformative player they anticipated when drafting him 4th overall. Although Arizona may not be in playoff contention, Harrison’s growth remains critical as they head into the final stretch of the season.
The Rams’ key player is running back Kyren Williams, who recently had his best game of the season with 122 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries against the Jets. In their earlier matchup against Arizona, Williams had minimal impact due to trailing early in the game and injuries along the offensive line, where he garnered only 25 yards on 12 carries.
A crucial matchup to watch will be between Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and the Rams’ defensive line. Back in September, Murray notably threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns without a single interception and also contributed 59 rushing yards. However, the Rams’ defensive line has seen better cohesion since then, with rookie players Jared Verse and Braden Fiske becoming increasingly effective in putting pressure on quarterbacks. If the Rams can disrupt Murray’s focus, it could significantly diminish Arizona’s passing opportunities.
In terms of injuries, the Cardinals are experiencing significant setbacks. Both starting tackles, Paris Johnson Jr. and Jonah Williams, are sidelined for the season after being placed on injured reserve. Other notable injuries include running back James Conner, linebackers Baron Browning and Mack Wilson Sr., and defensive lineman Darius Robinson, all of whom have been limited in practice. Conversely, the Rams are in a relatively solid position health-wise, with right tackle Rob Havenstein being the only player on the injury report due to a shoulder issue.
This matchup offers a rich history, as the Cardinals have not completed a season sweep over the Rams since 2014, during the Rams’ time in St. Louis. Over the last four meetings, the teams have split victories. However, Arizona had struggled prior to 2020, losing 11 of their previous 12 meetings with Los Angeles. Since moving to SoFi Stadium, the Rams have a 3-2 record against Arizona, including a significant playoff victory following the 2021 season.
Currently, the Cardinals have lost four of their last five games, officially ending their playoff hopes after the recent defeat to the Panthers. The team has made the playoffs only once in the last nine years, achieving that feat in 2021. Harrison had an explosive performance in their week 2 encounter against the Rams, with four receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns within just seven plays in the first quarter.
This season, the Cardinals rank fifth in the NFL for rushing yards per game (145.8 yards) and second in average yards per carry (5.28 yards). Kicking game standout Chad Ryland has made 25 field goals since Week 5, ranking him fourth in the league for that period. Budda Baker, the safety, is achieving personal success with a career-high 148 tackles this season. Additionally, James Conner has amassed 1,500 total scrimmage yards, incorporating 1,090 rushing yards and 410 yards through the air. The team also boasts a franchise record for tight ends, with Trey McBride catching 91 passes this season.
For the Rams, a win this weekend could secure a playoff spot, contingent on either a Seattle loss or tie or a series of favorable outcomes elsewhere. Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s performance has been consistent, with the Rams winning all four games where he has thrown for less than 200 yards this season. Although wide receiver Puka Nacua had a record-setting rookie year, he faced challenges against Arizona’s defense, only registering four receptions during both meetings.
As for fantasy tip considerations, Cooper Kupp’s recent performances have left many fantasy owners disappointed. He should likely remain on the bench this week for fantasy teams still competing, as he has not surpassed 44 receiving yards in his past five showdowns against Arizona.
