St. Louis handed the Cardinals one of their two losses this season with an upset win in Arizona in Week 4. The Rams will need another upset of the NFC West leaders to snap a four-game losing streak that has them fading from the playoff race and coach Jeff Fisher on the hot seat.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
St. Louis Rams +6
Arizona Cardinals -6
Over/Under 44.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
St. Louis is a solid play on the under for totals bettors, playing below the final total eight times. However, the Rams cashed the over when they visited the Cardinals back in Week 4. After consecutive games of at least 34 points against two top defensive teams, the Cards struggled last week against the Niners and injuries to their top two backs could be significant. The total fell to 43 and has some value, but be careful if it drops any lower.
KEY INJURIES
Chris Johnson – Left last week’s game with a knee injury and didn’t return. His backup, Andre Ellington, also exited with a foot injury, leaving rookie David Johnson to take the bulk of snaps from the running back spot in the second half. Stepfan Taylor could see some reps in the Cards backfield if the top two are held out.
Jerraud Powers – Sustained a calf injury in the second half of the Niners game and didn’t return. The Cards starting cornerback was replaced in the lineup by Justin Bethel.
Robert Quinn – Is questionable to play Sunday due to a hip injury. The Rams pass rush generated no pressure last week with Quinn out of the lineup and Eugene Sims starting in his place.
KEY MISMATCH
Not every win is a thing of beauty. The Cardinals didn’t get many style points for their ugly win over San Francisco last week, but they could care less. “Wins are hard to get in this league. We’ll take them any way we can,” coach Bruce Arians said after the 19-13 decision over the Niners. Their offense was stagnant for much of the afternoon. Their top two running backs were injured in the third quarter. They scrambled to beat a last-place teams that has won only three games. Three of Arizona’s last five opponents all believe they were robbed by the officials. Consider it further proof that the Cards are enjoying a charmed season. Truth is, the Cards were lucky to beat San Francisco and they know it. They under-performed and still prevailed, and in a few weeks, this struggle will be long forgotten.
KEY STAT
16.9 – St. Louis’ points per game average. The Rams are 31st in the league in scoring and face Arizona’s defense which allows just 20.8 points per game.
BETTING ANGLE
It was all good for the Rams just one month ago. It seems like much longer. Just four weeks ago the Rams beat the 49ers to get to 4-3 and playoff dreams were dancing in many people’s heads. Those dreams have turned into a month long nightmare. The way things are going now, it’s fair to wonder where this team’s next win will come from. Entering the season coach Jeff Fisher and his staff didn’t figure to be on the hot seat unless this season turned into a train wreck. Well, the wreckage is piling up, and if the Rams have any interest in changing the losing culture of the past decade, the time has come to start making wholesale changes. Last week’s loss typified the season. The offense was its usual inept self. The defense, perhaps worn down by a season of offensive failure, couldn’t stop anything. Even special teams chipped in with costly penalties.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
The Rams handed the Cardinals one of their two losses this NFL season, knocking them off in the desert in Week 4. That seems like such a long time ago. St. Louis continues to struggle on offense and the lack of production has hung the defense out too many times. The promising unit is worn out and banged up, and as a result, ineffective. While the Cards would love to extract some revenge for the earlier loss, more importantly they need to hold on to the No. 2 seed in the NFC with the Vikings charging hard. Arizona proved last week that they can win when things don’t go their way, overcoming injuries and a stubborn 49ers club. Carson Palmer is having a MVP-type season but the Cards could be without their top two running backs, likely limiting their production. The Rams are 3-0 SU and ATS against their division brethren and they should cover, but a win seems unlikely.
Arizona 23, St. Louis 20
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