Rams vs. Cardinals Total Prediction
The L.A. Rams have struggled offensively the past couple of weeks but they’ll face an Arizona Cardinals team that allowed 40 points to the Falcons last Sunday. Will the over cash when these NFC West rivals clash at 4:05 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot
121 Los Angeles Rams at 122 Arizona Cardinals
4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 23
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Rams are 14.5-point favorites to beat the Cardinals. The total, meanwhile, sits at 44.5 points. As of this writing, 60% of the public betting tickets are on the Rams to cover the point spread.
Los Angeles Rams
Speaking Thursday, Todd Gurley (knee) said he has yet to run this week but is still optimistic he will be ready for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. “I think I’ll be fine, man,” Gurley said. “Just taking it day by day recovering, resting, trying to feel better.” Gurley did admit that if the game was Thursday he was unsure if he would be able to play. It ultimately sounds like Gurley will probably suit up but may not handle his usual amount of touches. If that’s the case, he will be a mid-range RB1 with some risk for the fantasy finals. There is still a real chance Gurley does not play.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Republic’s Kent Somers considers Cardinals coach Steve Wilks’ firing after the season to be a “foregone conclusion.” Somers considers the lone question to be whether GM Steve Keim follows Wilks out the door. Somers’ “hunch” is that president Michael Bidwell gives Keim one more year, but doesn’t expect Wilks to get the same treatment after putting together a coaching staff that prioritized implementing “their schemes” over minimizing personnel strengths and maximizing weaknesses, using Patrick Peterson as a zone corner early in the year, and failing to put their best skill-position players and rookie quarterback in position to succeed.
NFL Betting Trends
Los Angeles
The Rams are 1-5 against the spread in their last six conference games and are 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games overall.
Arizona
The Cardinals are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games overall but are 4-1 ATS in their last five divisional games.
Prediction
With Gurley banged-up and Jared Goff struggling to move the offense over the past three weeks, I don’t trust the Rams to rack up a bunch of points. On the other side, the Cardinals couldn’t move the ball against a Falcons defense last Sunday that has been surrendering points to opponents all year. The under is 20-7 in the Cardinals’ last 27 home games and is 4-1 in the Rams’ last five road games.
NFL Week 16 Prediction: Rams/Cardinals under 44.5