Sunday, December 6, 2020, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona, 4:05 p.m. ET
Rams at Cardinals Betting Preview: Rams (-3/+104), Cardinals (+3/-128)
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams (7-4) might have one of the better defensive teams in the NFL but the offense is in a funk with quarterback Jared Goff committing three turnovers (one fumble, two interceptions) against the 49ers last week. Head coach Sean McVay called out his QB after the defeat and doubled down this week saying his signal caller knows what is expected of him.
Through play Monday night, the Rams were one of two teams in the NFL to allow less than 300 yards a game and were fourth in sacks with 34.
The Rams are 6-0 against the Cardinals and have averaged 32.7 points per game against Arizona in three seasons under McVay, but have averaged 23.9 per game this season.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals also are in something of an offensive downturn as teams have started to neutralize quarterback Kyler Murray. The former No. 1 overall draft pick threw for 170 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in a loss to the Patriots last week and his 67.0 passer rating was the lowest of his two-year career.
The Cardinals have lost three of their last four and without Murray’s Hail Mary to DeAndre Hopkins in the closing seconds of a Week 10 victory over Buffalo, they would be on a four-game slide.
The Cardinals’ defense is greatly improved against the pass (227.2 yards per game), looking nothing like the squad that gave up 400 yards passing to Goff by the third quarter of a Dec. 1 loss last season.
Rams at Cardinals Betting Pick for Week 13
The Rams were solid on offense early, but have been rather pedestrian of late, especially since tackle Andrew Whitworth was lost with a major knee injury in Week 10 and Joseph Noteboom was moved into a starting role. Murray’s pass/run abilities make the Cardinals tick, but teams have been able to game plan for the Arizona offense lately.
In the end, the Rams’ top defense figures to have what it takes Sunday. The Rams are in the top four in passing, rushing and scoring defense this season, proving they are more than just Aaron Donald wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines.
Rams at Cardinals Betting Pick:
Rams 24, Cardinals 21
Rams at Cardinals Best Bet for Week 13
A pair of defenses that allow less than 24 points per game are expected to take center stage. Arizona’s Murray and L.A.’s Goff figure to have their hands full. As improved as the Cardinals’ defense is this season, it still gives up 123.4 yards per game on the ground and the Rams have been solid running the ball with 124.6 yards per game.
Rams at Cardinals Best Bet: UNDER 48.5 total points (-112)
