A showdown in the NFC West concludes the Week 14 betting slate when the Los Angeles Rams visit the Arizona Cardinals. At 10-2 the Cards own the NFL’s best record and can all but secure the division title with their second victory over the Rams. Arizona handed LA its first loss of the season back in Week 4 in convincing fashion. And the Cards weathered injuries to offensive stars Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins with both returning last week to take down Chicago. Arizona won the first meeting as a 3.5-point road dog and hit the betting board as a 3-point favorite looking for the season sweep.
This regular season Week 14 matchup will take place on Monday Night Football, December 13, 2021 at 8:15 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ and will be televised on ESPN.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Los Angeles Rams +2.5
Arizona Cardinals -2.5
Total 51
Odds Analysis
It’s been a month since the Cards last played a home game and that hasn’t been such a bad thing. Victories at Seattle and Chicago along with their bye kept the club at a distance. They return to the desert for the first time since losing 34-10 to Carolina and are positioned as a 2.5-point favorite. Playing at home has been somewhat of a struggle with both losses coming in the previous two games. The Cards are 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS at State Farm Stadium. They are a perfect 7-0 SU and ATS on the road. The Rams ended a three-game SU and five-game ATS losing streak by beating Jacksonville 37-7 last week. They lost their last two road games SU and are just 2-4 ATS away from home. The total has come down a point to 51.
Player to Watch
You have to keep an eye on Murray in this pivotal game. Coming back from an injury that cost him the previous three games, Murray didn’t have to do much against the Bears last week. He did enough, though, leading the Cards to a 33-22 win. He threw just 15 passes completing 11 for 123 yards and a pair of scores. He also ran for 59 yards adding two more scores. He looked comfortable in the pocket when throwing and obviously his legs were in good shape. This will be a different challenge, though, against a Rams defense looking to slow him down.
Murray flustered the Rams in Week 4 helping the Cards snap a 7-game losing streak to their division rival while sending a message to the rest of the league. He threw for 268 yards and a pair of touchdowns adding 39 yards on six rush attempts. The Cards amassed 465 total yards in that game and were an impressive 8 of 13 on third downs. They possessed the football for over 35 minutes keeping Matthew Stafford and the LA offense off the field.
Key Stat
The Cardinals have been stout defensively this season ranking among the top-5 in yards and points allowed. But they do have a weakness and it’s against the run. They rank 16th surrendering 113.7 rushing yards per game, but opponents have often resorted to throwing the football while playing from behind. A deeper dig reveals the Cards are near the bottom of the rankings allowing 4.7 yards per rush attempt. The Rams have rarely committed to establishing a ground game but they may have found something in last week’s win over the Jags. Sony Michel became the first Ram to run for more than 100 yards this season compiling 121 on 24 carries. Since the Rams lost the TOP battle in the first game and would like to keep Murray on the sidelines, being more committed to running the football is a good plan. Darrell Henderson, who leads the team in rushing, could be back in the lineup after missing last week’s game giving LA a decent duo in the backfield.
Free ATS Pick
Beating Jacksonville was nice, but it’s hard to say if the Rams have overcome the woes of losing their previous three games. They have a chance to get back in the division race and erase some doubts caused by losses to Tennessee, Frisco and Green Bay, three decent teams. I can see the Rams defense doing enough to limit Murray giving value to the UNDER. And as long as Matt Stafford values the football the Rams have the firepower to get a victory, which is why I’m backing the points in this one.
NFL Pick: Los Angeles Rams +2.5 / UNDER 51
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