This weekend’s matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams might have the most at stake in Week 17. It’s also one of the toughest games to handicap.
Los Angeles went from the front-runner to win the NFC West to needing a win to secure its spot in the playoffs. To make matters worse, they’ll have to find a way to win without Jared Goff, Cooper Kupp, and Cam Akers.
Meanwhile, Arizona has been one of the league’s more confounding teams. The Cardinals looked completely out of sync in a 20-12 loss to the 49ers last Saturday. Kyler Murray is dealing with a right leg injury but confirmed he will play in this must-win game.
The scenario is simple for these banged up divisional rivals: Win and you’re in. Lose and hope for a loss from the Chicago Bears.
Which team will play its way into the postseason? Let’s breakdown one of the most important games of Week 17.
Compare odds from all major sportsbooks for the Cardinals vs. Rams >>
Details
- Opening Line: Arizona -1
- Last meeting: December 6, 2020, Rams 38-28
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ARI
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-3
-114
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o40.5
-112
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-159
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| VIEW PICKS |
LAR
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+3
-106
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u40.5
-108
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+140
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View consensus picks and matchup notes from top betting experts for the Cardinals vs. Rams >>
Overview
How much is Jared Goff really worth to the Rams? Goff can be great under good circumstances. But when his protection breaks down, Goff morphs into a pumpkin.
With Goff out, John Wolford will be under center for Los Angeles. The 2018 undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest hasn’t played an NFL snap yet. After a brief stint with the New York Jets, Wolford was taken by the Arizona Hotshots in the second round of the 2019 Alliance of American Football Draft. He beat out Trevor Knight for the starting job and was twice named AAF Offensive Player of the Week.
Unlike the statuesque Goff, Wolford is a dual-threat quarterback. He’s the ultimate wild card in this matchup, which can be both good and bad. I’m expecting Sean McVay to modify his gameplan to Wolford’s strengths.
I’ve found the Cardinals to be a hard team to trust all season. Arizona’s offense was blistering through the first 10 weeks of the season but hasn’t been quite as potent since. The Cardinals have scored 30 points just once in its last six games. Coincidentally, Murray suffered a shoulder injury in Arizona’s Week 11 loss to Seattle.
Murray hasn’t been nearly as effective as a runner since that injury. The dynamic dual-threat QB has just 197 yards on 39 rush attempts in his last six games.
The best way to beat Arizona is to make Murray a pocket passer. Murray’s mobility could be limited by his newest injury, which plays right into the hands of Aaron Donald and the Rams defense.
Bottom Line
Even with Goff out, I still like the Rams as a home underdog.
If you’re asking me to pick the coach I trust more in a must-win game, I’m taking McVay over Kliff Kingsbury 100 times out of 100. I’m expecting McVay to rely on his running game as he has throughout the year. Nobody knows what Wolford will bring to the table, but the Rams should have success on the ground against a Cardinals defense that’s giving up 4.7 yards per rush.
If Murray can’t use his elusiveness and speed, the Cardinals’ offense could be in big trouble. Aaron Donald will surely disrupt things up the middle while Jalen Ramsey locks down DeAndre Hopkins.
Ultimately, I like the Rams to cover and win the game outright.
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