Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams Point Spread Picks

Los Angeles lost 37-34 at home to Buffalo in overtime on Monday after scoring 7 points in the first half and 27 after it. That fits the Rams’ five games: they scored 7, 14, 16, 10 and 7 in their first halves and trailed at the break against San Francisco, Philadelphia and Buffalo. Arizona has allowed 31 or more points in four straight games, 31 to Seattle, 36 to San Francisco, 36 to the Giants and 45 to Detroit, and its 162 points allowed through five games, 32.4 per game, are the most in the league. The Cardinals’ last three games totaled 66, 60 and 66 points, and the Rams’ last one totaled 71. Arizona was within 7 points at the half in three of its five games: it led the Chargers 13-7, tied Seattle 7-7 and trailed the Giants 19-17, and it trailed San Francisco by 11 and Detroit by 17 in the other two. Los Angeles has defensive end Myles Garrett on injured reserve and tackle Alaric Jackson suspended for punching a Buffalo player after Monday’s game, and Arizona has running back James Conner on injured reserve. Arizona with the points in the first half and the full-game OVER are my plays Sunday afternoon.

The Rams don't have much to play for here against the Cardinals. But they are expected to go with their starters. Rams coach Sean McVay doesn't want to enter the playoffs on a three-game losing streak. The Rams also want to get the bad taste of a 27-24 upset loss to the Falcons this past Monday night out of their system. Matthew Stafford could reinstate his MVP candidacy with a big performance. Stafford leads the NFL with 42 touchdown passes. LA is going against a wretched, banged-up Arizona defense that ranks 29th in points allowed (29.2) and 26th in yards allowed. The Cardinals should play loose with nothing to lose. Jacoby Brissett is having his finest NFL season since replacing Kyler Murray at quarterback. Arizona ranks No. 8 in passing yards. Brissett is averaging 41.1 passing attempts in his 11 starts this season. He has thrown 21 touchdown passes. The Rams are giving up an average of 33 points per game during their last three games. Take the OVER.

Combine the Bulldogs (-1153) and the Rams (-470) into a 2-team parlay at -315 odds.

Arizona was eliminated from the playoffs by losing 36-30 in overtime to Carolina. Now, the Cardinals are in the spoiler role against the Rams, who were fortunate to beat the hapless Jets 19-9 on Sunday. They cashed in after Aaron Rodgers lost a fumble as Matthew Stafford threw a go-ahead 11-yard TD pass to tight end Tyler Higbee, and the Rams added a field goal. New York outgained the Rams 321-242, and Stafford threw for just 110 yards, but the game stayed UNDER by 19 points. Los Angeles is 7-3 UNDER its past 10 games and 5-1 UNDER overall as a favorite. The Cardinals still have covered six of their past nine games, and the Rams have scored just 31 points in their past two games against the 49ers and the Jets. Arizona won in a 41-10 blowout in the first meeting this season. That won't happen again, but look for the Cardinals to keep it close. Take the Cardinals and the UNDER.

Los Angeles QB Matthew Stafford threw for 317 yards in the opener, an OT loss to Detroit. The offense had 387 yards. The Rams are on a 7-1 spread run against the NFC West. Arizona comes off a 34-28 loss at Buffalo. The offense had just 270 total yards along with a turnover as QB Kyler Murray was sacked four times and the defense let a 17-3 lead slip away. Murray hadn't played in 11 months while rehabbing. The Cardinals are 1-6 ATS as a favorite and the Rams swept the season series last year with ease, 26-9 and 37-14. Play Los Angeles.