For the first time in NFL history, we get a playoff game on Monday Night Football, as the Arizona Cardinals visit the Los Angeles Rams on ABC and ESPN. This is a matchup of two teams very familiar with each other, as they are NFC West rivals. The teams split their two meetings this season with each team winning on the road. The Rams won the NFC West title this season and they will have home field advantage in this contest. The early money has come in on the Cardinals in this game, as the Rams opened as a 5-point favorite and the line is down to 3.5. Let’s look at this contest and Monday Night Football playoff picks.
This Monday Night Football Wild Card matchup will take place on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 8:15 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA and will be televised on ABC and ESPN.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arizona Cardinals +3.5
Los Angeles Rams -3.5
Total 50
Odds Analysis
As noted earlier, the early money has come in on the Cardinals, as this line has dropped to 3.5. It would be shocking if the number dropped to 3 with the more likely scenario that the line goes back up to at least 4. There has not been any substantial movement on the total, as the number opened at 50 and remains at that number. Oddsmakers consider these teams evenly matched, as the Rams were 3.5-point home favorites in Week 4 when they lost 37-20. The rematch in Arizona late in the season had the Cardinals favored by three-points and they lost 30-23. The total early in the season was 54 but was down to 51 in the second meeting.
Key Injury
The Rams have a major injury that may go under the radar. Their leading tackler, safety Jordan Fuller is out for this game and likely for the rest of the season with an ankle injury. “He’s going to require surgery possibly so he will be out for the remainder of the year, and that’s a big loss for us,” head coach Sean McVay said to the media. Fuller leads the team with 113 tackles and has an interception and five passes defensed.
On the other side, the Cardinals are still without star receiver DeAndre Hopkins and their offense has not been the same without him. The Cardinals are also dealing with injuries to their two running backs, as James Conner and Chase Edmonds have rib injuries. The Cardinals hope to have both players for this game on Monday.
Regular Season Meetings
The Cardinals dominated the Rams in Week 4, winning 37-20 in Los Angeles. The game was never in doubt, as the Cardinals jumped out to a 24-13 lead at the half and led 34-13 at the end of the third quarter. It is worth noting that the Cardinals had DeAndre Hopkins for that game and both Conner and Edmonds were at full strength. The Cardinals offense has looked nothing like the one that put up 37 points since losing Hopkins.
The rematch in Week 14 was much different, as the teams played even for a half with the score 13-13 and then Los Angeles scored 14 points in the third quarter to pull away. Kyler Murray threw for nearly 400 yards in that game but he had two costly interceptions.
Player to Watch
If the Cardinals are to have any chance in this game, they will have to find a way to contain Aaron Donald. He had three sacks in the game last month and he constantly put pressure on Murray. The Cardinals can’t let the Los Angeles defensive line dominate this game or the Cardinals are in for a long night.
Free Monday Night Football Playoff Pick
I have no confidence at all in Arizona head coach Kliff Kingsbury. I still think he belongs in college football rather than in the NFL. The Cardinals have a ton of talent, as their GM has done a great job, yet Arizona finds ways to lose games. Teams that beat the Rams are those that are tough, know how to run the ball and fight hard. That is not Arizona. I will lay the points and take the Rams.
NFL Pick: Los Angeles Rams -3.5
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