Will the Rams live up to their role as favourites?
NFC West vs. NFC West is the name of the game in the first playoff round at the end of the Wild Card Games. Of course, both opponents know each other very well, which promises a high level of excitement. The Rams are definitely the favourites due to their excellent squad.
They have added Stafford, Miller and Beckham Jr. this season and during the season, which makes their already star-studded roster look even scarier. But do these All-Stars now deliver when it counts?
At least they have the advantage that their newcomers will all be able to pitch, which is quite different for the Cardinals. Their top new signings, DeAndre Hopkins and J.J. Watt, have been out recently and Hopkins almost certainly will be on Monday.
Even if Watt can return, however, he is unlikely to be at 100%. Therefore, for Rams vs. Cardinals, our prediction is that the somewhat “healthier” Rams will prevail here and move on to the next round.
Kickoff of the last game of the Wild Card round is on Tuesday night at 02:15 in Los Angeles. The match will be broadcast live on ProSieben and on DAZN.
Los Angeles Rams – Statistics & current form
The Rams are all-in and now it counts for them. They certainly won’t be able to keep this squad together for long, which is why the window is narrow. Head coach Sean McVay knows that, too, and he’ll surely have something in mind.
This plan should be better than the last one against the 49ers, when they squandered a 17-0 lead. Their defence in particular looked like Swiss cheese in the second half. In the end, they allowed 449 total yards – against the Cardinals, this would probably have been the end of the line.
Too much self-conception – too few basics
When we watch the Rams play, it always seems a little like they want to rely on the big names and completely forget the basics. Sometimes five yards here, then struggling for five yards here. That’s more what their football should look like.
With LA, it’s all or nothing very quickly, but that doesn’t work in every game. And even Cooper Kupp can’t fix it on his own. Although he set a new record with his 1947 receiving yards and was by far the best NFL receiver this year.
But Kupp alone is too little to overcome the Cards’ strong secondary. With only 214.4 yards allowed through the air, they have the seventh-best pass defence in the league. Beckham, Jefferson and Higbee will have to help out, but that should also be possible.
Defense against the run could make or break
But what can give the Rams hope for Sunday then? Their defense against the run. With the Cards’ best receiver Hopkins out, they’ll run a lot. Against the run, however, LA has the sixth-best defence in the NFL.
So the matchup currently suits them, which was already evident in Week 14 when the Rams triumphed 30-23 at Arizona. We expect a similar result on Monday, which is why a bet on Los Angeles is our No. 1 betting recommendation for Rams vs Cards.
Key Players:
QB: Matthew Stafford
RB: Sony Michel
WR: Odell Beckham Jr.
WR: Cooper Kupp
K: Matt Gay
Arizona Cardinals – stats & current form
The Cardinals narrowly missed out on winning the division and home advantage on the last matchday, which is why they now have to travel to Los Angeles. However, this might not have been that important to them, as they even have a much better record away from home (8:1) than at home (3:5).
However, that was it in terms of good omens, because Arizona goes into this game with a few more problems than LA. DeAndre Hopkins will be out for sure and they are also running out of time with J.J. Watt.
Watt at 100% again?
Watt has already returned to training this week, but it is not yet clear whether he will be in the squad on Monday. At least as an energiser on the bench this would probably be an advantage – on the field we should not expect miracles from him.
Of course, this leaves the Cards defence severely weakened, especially since Crawford and Turner are also out and defensive ends Phillips and Allen are at least questionable. Perfect conditions certainly look different.
Cardinals only successful with good running game
So in the end, it will be up to their offence – and especially the running game. But since this has faltered lately (with the exception of Murray), it could be tight for Arizona. Neither Connor nor Edmonds cracked the 60-yard mark as the top rusher.
That leaves too many holes to fill for the Cards to overcome a Rams loaded with top players. For Los Angeles vs. Arizona, the odds on the home team are thus still very good to bet on up to a handicap of -4.
Key Players:
QB: Kyler Murray
RB: James Connor
WR: A.J. Green
WR: Christian Kirk
K: Matt Prater
Los Angeles Rams – Arizona Cardinals Head-to-head comparison / H2H record
The direct comparison of these two teams speaks a clear language. The Rams have won nine of the last ten duels, with all of those victories coming by at least a seven-point difference.
That is already a superiority that must be taken into account, even if the playoffs are now looming. Together with the other points that speak in LA’s favour, the Rams’ favouritism is even clearer than the oddsmakers suggest.
For Rams vs. Cardinals, a bet on Los Angeles -3.5 is therefore a promising bet that still offers us good value. For the very brave bettors, even a handicap of up to 6 or 7 points is possible.
Los Angeles Rams – Arizona Cardinals Tip
The favourite role is clearly on the side of the Rams, but they could get used to this feeling throughout the season. The home advantage and the mastermind of Sean McVay are other small points that speak a little more for LA.
Therefore, several betting options on the Rams are conceivable. For Los Angeles vs. Arizona, a bet on the Rams -3.5 is just as worth considering as on Rams + over-points or half-time/final Rams score. Depending on your risk appetite, there are no limits to the possibilities here.
As an alternative, we would recommend a bet on a Cooper Kupp touchdown. He is currently so on fire that he should carry this form over into the playoffs.
