The NFC West has been filled with drama this year and now, in Week 17, it’s more of the same. The Seahawks stumbled their way to a win on Thursday Night Football and now the race for the NFC West just a whole lot more complicated.
It’s a beautiful Saturday when you’ve got NFL Football on. Let’s get right into my favorite plays in this divisional battle.
Here are our best bets for the Cardinals vs. Rams!
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- Jordan Addisson Longest Reception o20.5 (-115)
- Matt Stafford o22.5 Completions (-130)
Cardinals @ Rams Game Information
SoFi Stadium; Los Angeles. California
Matchup Information
- Location: SoFi Stadium; Los Angeles, California
- Date: Saturday, December 28th, 2024
- Kickoff: 8:15 PM EST
Quarterback Matchup
- Arizona Cardinals: Sam Darnold (5-1; 2024 – 228.3 YPG | 12 TD | 5 INT)
- Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford (3-0; 2024 – 232.0 YPG | 3 TD | 4 INT)
Betting Odds
Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.
Run Line
- Arizona Cardinals +6.5 (-105)
- Los Angeles Rams -6.5 (-115)
Money Line
- Arizona Cardinals (+250)
- Los Angeles Rams (-310)
Total
- Over 47.5 (-110)
- Under 47.5 (-110)
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Cardinals @ Rams Analysis & Breakdown
The easiest path the post-season for the Rams is to just win. Win their final two games and they’re in. The chance does exist for them to clinch in Week 17 but that requires wins from about 4/5 different teams and we get into “strength of win” type conversations.
With so much on the line, I’m expecting Head Coach Sean McVay to bring out all the stops. The Rams have now won 5 of their L6 games and they’ve also won 7 of the 10 games in which they’ve had both Kupp and Nacua active. This Rams team is a completely different team when both those guys are healthy and it’s shown over the course of this year.
Despite missing a combined 9 games, both Kupp and Nacua have combined for 1542 receiving yards, 135 receptions and 9 touchdowns. Both Nacua and Kupp lead this Ram receiving room in every category and with them in the lineup, the offense averages 2.7 touchdowns per game and they’ve scored 20+ in 7 of the 10 games.
Spoiler Warning
The Arizona Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention last week after an overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. Arizona scored 30 points but their offense came alive late in that game.
Arizona managed to tie the game with almost no time on the clock but Chubba Hubbard would break the hearts of Cardinals fans’ everywhere. He ran the ball in from 21-yards out with just 3 minutes left in overtime, ending any hope of a post-season birth for the Cardinals.
This week, the Cardinals have a chance to do the same. A loss tonight for the Rams wouldn’t eliminate them completely, but it does make their life a whole lot harder. Teams in a position like Arizona usually come out just a little extra aggressive.
The Cardinals aren’t really interested in losing for draft position, they’ve got coaches coaching for their jobs and players fighting for a spot on this roster.
Cooper Kupp o51.5 Receiving Yards (-115)
The Rams offense has been elite with both Kupp and Nacua in the lineup, even though Kupp’s been super uninvolved over the L2 weeks. In these two games, Kupp caught just 3 balls, he was targeted 6 total times and recorded just 24 yards. These two games came against a tough 49ers defense and the Jets, on the road.
Kupp, this year at home, is averaging 70.8 receiving yards per game with 3 touchdowns in just 4 home games. In 7 road games, Kupp’s scored 3 times, he’s averaging 56.9 yards per game and he just hasn’t had the same impact. In his 4 home games this year, Kupp’s seen at least 7 targets in all 4, and he’s cleared this line in 3 of the 4; the one miss coming against Minnesota (51).
This week the Rams line up against the Cardinals with the post-season on the line. Kupp caught 4 of his 6 targets in their previous matchup this year, an all-around terrible game for Los Angeles. The Rams lost 41-10 and their offense looked dysfunctional from the jump.
Los Angeles lost Puka Nacua in Week 1 and their offenses looked lost without him. He’s hit this line in 6 of the 10 games they’ve played together this season and it’s clear the preassure the combination of both guys puts on defenses.
Cooper Kupp o51.5 Receiving Yards (-115) via BetOnline
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Trey McBride 062.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
Trey McBride has been the Cardinals best receiver this year, no question about it. He leads this team in every receiving category, he’s got almost double the catches of Marvin Harrison Jr. and he still hasn’t caught a touchdown this year. It’s been a roller-coaster for McBride this year and it didn’t get better last week.
After promising everyone that McBride would see the end zone, Kyler pulled up and didn’t even look his way. McBride saw a season-low 4 targets, with 3 of those targets coming in the 4th quarter when it was simply too late. This week he faces a Rams team he had 6 catches for 67 yards against in Week 2.
That was a 41-10 win for the Cardinals and they didn’t really need to pass the ball in that one. Connor had 121 yards on the ground and a touchdown and the Cardinals never really needed to move the ball vertically.
Over the L10 games, the Rams have allowed an average of 6.6 targets to the opposing starting TE and tonight with McBride on the other side, I expect him to do the most with those targets.
30% off all Betalytics Packages, Code: BNEWS
Trey McBridge o62.5 Receiving Yards (-110) via BetOnline
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To Recap, NFL Bets for December 28th, 2024:
In the Cardinals @ Rams game on Sunday, we’re rolling with 2 plays. Cooper Kupp o51.5 Receiving Yards (-115), Trey McBridge o62.5 Receiving Yards (-110) .
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