Rams vs Cardinals Week 14 Monday Night Football Opening Spread and Betting Lines
- The Arizona Cardinals (10-2) opened as 3-point favorites over the LA Rams (8-4) on Monday Night Football (Dec. 13th, 8:15 pm ET) in Week 14
- After sitting out three games, Kyler Murray returned to lead the Cardinals to a 33-22 victory over the Bears in Week 13
- Read below for analysis on which way the line will move ahead of kickoff
For the second consecutive week, the best game on the NFL schedule will be on Monday Night Football. The 10-2 Arizona Cardinals host the 8-4 Los Angeles Rams, with major playoff implications at stake.
A victory for the Cards would all but wrap up the NFC West title, while they’ll likely need to win to maintain the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Rams meanwhile, need a win plus a lot of help down the stretch to catch Arizona for the division lead, but a loss would cripple any hope of hosting a playoff game in the Wild Card round.
Rams vs Cardinals Opening Odds
Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
---|---|---|---|
LA Rams | +130 | +3 (-118) | O 52.5 (-110) |
Arizona Cardinals | -154 | -3 (-104) | U 52.5 (-110) |
Odds as of Dec. 5th at FanDuel.
The Cardinals opened up as a 3-point favorite, in a game that features a total of 52.5. Kickoff is set for 8:15 pm ET at State Farm Stadium, and will be a rematch of the Week 4 contest that Arizona won 37-20.
Arizona Cardinals Betting Analysis
Arizona welcomed back Kyler Murray in Week 13, after he’d missed the previous three games with an ankle injury. Murray wasn’t the sharpest he’s been all season, but his ankle didn’t seem to bother him in a 33-22 win over the Bears.
RT if you're glad to have Kyler back.@K1 x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/lHY9womPBw
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 5, 2021
The former number one overall pick ran for 59 yards and two scores, and threw for 123 yards and 2 TD. Murray only attempted 15 passes thanks to a favorable game script and nasty weather conditions, but when he did take to the air he had his favorite target back to throw to.
WELCOME BACK KYLER MURRAY AND DEANDRE HOPKINS
pic.twitter.com/ipwr7rRn1K— PFF (@PFF) December 5, 2021
DeAndre Hopkins also saw his first action in four games, and hauled in a 20-yard touchdown in his return. Hopkins had been sidelined with a hamstring injury, but his presence is critical to the Cardinals passing game.
James Conner ran the ball for 75 yards on 20 attempts, and hauled in a 23-yard touchdown catch of his own. Defensively, Arizona racked up four interceptions and three sacks, holding Chicago to 4.6 yards per play. The Cards entered the game as the third highest rated defense per DVOA, a ranking that will be severely tested against the Rams’ explosive offense.
Los Angeles Rams Betting Analysis
LA snapped a three-game losing streak on Sunday, by dismantling Jacksonville 37-7. Matthew Stafford threw for 295 yard and three scores, while Sony Michel ran for 121 yards and a touchdown. Michel earned 24 of the team’s 26 running back carries filling in for Darrell Henderson, who was active but didn’t play due to a quad injury.
Sony Michel served as the lead back for the #Rams in their 37-7 victory over the Jaguars, playing 64 of 66 snaps (97% playtime).
Michel faced a stacked box (8+ defenders) on half of his 24 carries, gaining 54 yards on those carries (+13 RYOE).#JAXvsLAR | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/OmEUFEAU8e
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 6, 2021
Stafford hit Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr. for second half scores, as the Rams outscored the Jags 21-0 over the final 30 minutes. Kupp, the league’s leading receiver, padded his lead in that category by adding 121 receiving yards to his resume and his NFL-best 11th touchdown catch.
Cooper Kupp:
This season: 100 catches-1366 yards-11 TD
Pace: 142-1935-16Madness.
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) December 6, 2021
Beckham Jr. meanwhile, only caught two passes, but has now scored in back-to-back outings. Defensively, LA recovered two fumbles and sacked Trevor Lawrence twice, holding Jacksonville to just 197 total yards.
On the injury front, the Rams lost starting center Brian Allen on their first snap. Stafford left for one play after absorbing a huge hit, but shook off chest pain to finish the game.
Rams vs Cardinals Line Movement
Despite Arizona’s NFL best record, early action is backing LA. The juice on the 3-point spread is heavily shaded towards the Rams, and it might not be long before this line creeps under a field goal.
NFC playoff picture after 13 weeks:
1) Cardinals: 10-2
2) Packers: 9-3
3) Bucs: 9-3
4) Cowboys: 8-4
5) Rams: 8-4
6) Washington: 6-6
7) 49ers: 6-6
————Eagles: 6-7
Vikings: 5-7
Falcons: 5-7
Saints: 5-7
Panthers: 5-7
SEA, NYG, CHI: 4-8— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 6, 2021
The Cardinals have been getting disrespected at the books all season, so movement in the Rams’ favor shouldn’t surprise anyone. Buyer beware though. Arizona is 9-3 against the spread so far, including 6-1 when the line is 6-points or less.
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