Cardinals vs Rams Predictions and Picks for NFL Week 17

The Arizona Cardinals face off against the Los Angeles Rams in NFL action on Saturday night.

Both of these offenses can move the ball, and my Cardinals vs. Rams predictions are betting on a shootout in this Week 17 showdown. Here are my best NFL picks for this NFC West clash on December 28.

Cardinals vs Rams prediction

My best bet
Over 47.5 (-110 at BetMGM)

My analysis
When these teams previously clashed in Week 2, the Arizona Cardinals won 41-10 and rolled up 489 yards of offense. The Los Angeles Rams have improved on defense since then, but there's still reason to think Arizona will have offensive success in this matchup. 

Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray excels against zone coverage, and the Rams play zone at the third-highest rate in the NFL. Murray also performs significantly better when kept clean in the pocket, ranking 11th in the league in passing grade per PFF, and the Rams are a Bottom-10 defense in pressure rate. 

While the Rams mustered just 10 points in that previous meeting, their offensive line was decimated by injuries, and they were also missing their two best receivers. When healthy, this offense has been very efficient, and they're currently as healthy as they've been all year.

Sure, the Rams are coming off back-to-back low-scoring victories, but those took place on the road in poor weather, and they'll thrive back home at SoFi Stadium. The Rams are fifth in the league in offensive success rate, while the Cardinals are 28th in defensive EPA and 31st in defensive success rate. 

The weak link of this Rams offense has been their pass blocking but the Cards sit near the bottom of the league in pass rush win rate and pressures. As long as Matthew Stafford has time to operate in the pocket, he'll move the chains with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.

Cardinals vs Rams same-game parlay

Over 47.5

Matthew Stafford Over 237.5 passing yards

Trey McBride Over 62.5 receiving yards

+320 at BetMGM

Stafford is coming off a pair of games where he threw for under 170 yards, but his numbers were suppressed by cold temperatures and heavy winds last week while he played in driving rain the week before. He's averaging 252.2 passing yards per game in nine contests in domes this year and Arizona is last in the NFL in defensive dropback success rate.

McBride was limited to three catches for 20 yards last week, but he had racked up 70+ receiving yards in each of his previous five games. He was targeted 10+ times in four of those contests and should continue to see a high target share in this matchup.

The Rams are 27th in the league in defensive dropback EPA and 25th in receiving yards per game (57.2) allowed to tight ends.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Cardinals vs Rams odds

Cardinals vs Rams live odds

Cardinals vs Rams opening odds

• Spread: Arizona +6 | Los Angeles -6
• Moneyline: Arizona +220 | Los Angeles -270
• Over/Under: Over 48.5 | Under 48.5

Odds courtesy of BetMGM.

Cardinals vs Rams spread and Over/Under analysis

• The lookahead line for this game had the Rams at -3 but reopened at -6 before ticking up to -6.5.
  
  
• The Rams are fresh off a 19-9 win against the Jets, and they are now 4-0 straight up and against the spread in their last four games.
  
  
• The Cardinals are coming off an OT loss to the lowly Panthers and are 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS in their last five.
  
  
• The Rams need a win and some help to clinch a playoff spot this week. If not, the NFC West will come down to a clash between L.A. and Seattle in Week 18.

Cardinals vs Rams betting trend to know

The Over is 3-1 in L.A.'s last four contests at home, while the Cardinals have cashed the Over in three straight. Find more NFL betting trends for Cardinals vs. Rams.

Cardinals vs Rams game info

Cardinals vs Rams latest injuries

Cardinals vs Rams weather

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