Arizona Cardinals vs LA Rams Wildcard Pick
Our Arizona Cardinals vs LA Rams prediction is for the final NFL Wildcard game of the 2022 playoffs. It will kick off at 8:15 pm ET on Monday, January 17. In this NFL contest, the Rams are favored by -3.5 (-110). The underdog Cardinals are listed at +3.5 (-110). The total is 49.5 with the over at -108 and under -112.
The Arizona Cardinals (11-6 Overall, 8-1 Away) finished second in the NFC West. In their final five games, the Cardinals were 1-4. Those games included a 30-23 loss to the Rams and a 25-22 win over Dallas. The LA Rams (12-5 Overall, 5-3 Home) finished strong, as they won four of their last five contests. However, their final regular-season game was a 24-27 OT loss to San Francisco. They did top the NFC West.
This NFL Wildcard game will be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. The game will be on ESPN/ABC/ESPN+.
Arizona Cardinals vs LA Rams Prediction – Keys
The Rams are scoring on average 27.1 PPG while the Cards have been putting up 26.4 PPG. Arizona is good on 45.2 percent of their third down conversions, while the Rams are good on 43.9 percent of their attempts. On offense, the Cardinals bring both a potent passing game and rush attack to the field. However, a large majority of LA’s points come from the air ball.
On defense, Arizona is allowing opponents 21.5 PPG, while Los Angeles is giving up 21.9. The Rams lead in sacks (50-41), picks (19-13), TFL (85-76), and. fumbles recovered (16-14). The Cards top out in forced fumbles (22-16) and have a slight edge in passes defended (73-72). Arizona’s defense has scored twice. The Rams do not have a defensive score.
Cardinals - Players
For Arizona, QB Kyler Murray (69.2 COMP%, 3,787 YDs, 24TDs, 10 INTs, 31 SCKs) has had a good season leading the team and proving to be a quality passer and sound rusher. Plus, in the past three games, he has not thrown a pick. Four players in the receiving unit have caught 19 TD passes. Wideout Christian Kirk tops the team with 77 catches and 982 receiving yards. He’s caught five scoring passes. WR DeAndre Hopkins comes to this game with eight of his 42 receptions going for TDs. One major concern for the Cardinals is that lead running back James Conner, who has 15 TDs, is questionable for this game. He’s an essential force on this offense. Murray, who’s averaging 4.5 yards per rushing attempt, has scored five times on the ground. Quality defenders include LBs Chandler Jones (10.5 SCKs, 12 TFL, 6 FF) and Markus Golden (11 SCKs, 10 TFL, 4 FF). Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (12 PD, 4 INTs) and safety Jalen Thompson (7 PD, 3 INTs, 3 TFL) anchor the secondary.
Rams - Players
Our Arizona Cardinals vs LA Rams prediction notes that QB Matthew Stafford (67.2 COMP%, 4,886 YDs, 41 TDs, 17 TDs, 30 SCKs) has made a huge difference for this team. He an accurate passer and veteran leader. Five members of the receiving unit have caught 36 touchdown passes total. WR Cooper Kupp leads the way with 145 catches, 1,947 yards, and 16 TD receptions. With various running backs out of the picture due to injury, Sony Michel (208 ATT, 845 YDFs, 4.1 AVG, 4 TDs) is the team’s primary rusher. On defense, safety Taylor Rapp, an important performer, is out. However, cornerback Jalen Ramsey (16 PD, 4 INTs, 9 TFL) and LB Troy Reeder (2 SCKs, 6 TFL, 6 PS, 2 INTs) lead a group of pass defenders who can get the job done. Both tackle Aaron Donald (12.5 SCKs, 19 TFL, 4 PD 4 FF) and linebacker Leonard Floyd (9.7 SCKs, 7 TFL, 3 PD, 1 INT) are able QB harassers and run stoppers.
Arizona Cardinals vs LA Rams Prediction - Spread & Totals
In our Arizona Cardinals vs LA Rams prediction, we see the Rams as having an edge on defense and at quarterback. Plus, the questionable status of Conner at running back is a concern for the Cardinals. The Cardinals struggled down the stretch while the Rams excelled. Thus, we’re going with the LA Rams at -3.5(-115). Our scoring projection is Arizona 19 and Los Angeles 23. We are going with under 49.5 (-112).
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Summary – Arizona Cardinals vs LA Rams Wildcard Pick:
Point Spread Pick – LA Rams at -3.5 (-115)
Totals Pick - Under 49.5 (-112)
