LA Rams vs Arizona Cardinals – NFL Week 3 Picks, Odds & Predictions
- NFC West rivals clash as the Arizona Cardinals host the Los Angeles Rams in NFL Week 3
- The Rams have defeated Arizona in 10 off 11 meetings, and in seven straight trips to the desert
- Read on for all the odds and trends ahead of Sunday afternoon’s matchup at State Farm Stadium
The race for the top of the NFC East standings heats up on Sunday, as the Arizona Cardinals (1-1-0 SU, 1-1-0 ATS) play host to the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams (1-1-0, 0-2-0) in NFL Week 3 action.
The Cardinals return home on a high after marching to an impressive 29-23 comeback victory over the Las Angeles Raiders last weekend. The Rams travel to the desert on the heels of their first victory of the season, a narrow 31-27 win over the visiting Atlanta Falcons.
Let’s take a look at the Rams vs Cardinals odds and find the best bet.
LA Rams vs Arizona Cardinals Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | -3.5 (-109) | -190 | O 48.5(-109) |
| Arizona Cardinals | +3.5 (+112) | +155 | U 48.5 (-112) |
Odds from Barstool Sportsbook on September 24, 2022.
The Rams have faded to 3.5-point favorites since opening as 4.5-point chalk in the NFL odds. The total has also declined, dipping to 48.5 since opening at 51.
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Start time of Sunday afternoon’s contest is set for 4:25pm ET at State Farm Stadium. The game time weather forecast calls for sunny skies and a temperature of 97 degrees.
Rams vs Cardinals Betting Trends
The Cardinals aim to rebound after getting swept in their season series with the Rams in 2021. Overall, Los Angeles has won outright in 10 of 11 dates with the Cardinals. And with each of those wins coming by at least a touchdown, the Rams have compiled a 9-1-1 against the spread record over that stretch.
The Arizona Cardinals were 10-2 and flying high heading into their Week 14 game with the Rams on MNF.
The Rams won that game 30-23 and Arizona won a single game the rest of the season.
It's official. The Rams broke the 2021 Cardinals.
— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakDTR) January 18, 2022
The Rams have also won seven straight in the desert while claiming victory by an average margin of 12.6 points, capped by a 30-23 win as 3-point underdogs in Week 14 of last season. But while the Rams have averaged almost 30.5 points per game during their 10-1-0 surge, the UNDER has gone 6-5-0 over that stretch.
Los Angeles Rams Betting Outlook
The Rams have struggled to maintain their championship form over the first two weeks of the NFL season. LA was embarrassed by the Buffalo Bills in a season-opening 31-10 loss on home turf, and were lucky to escape with last week’s 31-27 win over Atlanta after storming out to a 28-3 lead.
Jalen Ramsey saves the #Rams with an INT in the endzone off Mariota.
The #Falcons were down 28-3 earlier, nearly pulled the comeback but they failed at the end.pic.twitter.com/xgjESZ8Kyo
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 18, 2022
Quarterback Matthew Stafford has particularly struggled to regain consistent form. The 34-year-old veteran suddenly finds himself on pace to lead the league in interceptions for a second straight year after tossing five picks against just four scores over his first two outings. In addition, the Rams have produced just 12 total points from the seven turnovers they have forced over their first two games.
Matthew Stafford has 14 incompletions on the season, four of which are interceptions
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) September 18, 2022
The absence of injured center Brian Allen has not helped matters. Receiver Van Jefferson has yet to see action this season, due to a knee injury. Defensive backs David Long and Jordan Fuller, and cornerback Coble Durant, have all been absent from practice due to injury, placing their status for Sunday’s contest in doubt.
Arizona Cardinals Betting Outlook
The Cardinals erased a 20-0 deficit on their way to a 29-23 overtime victory over the Raiders last week. However, this team can ill afford to stumble out of the gate again, particularly against the defending champions. The Cards also allowed the Kansas City Chiefs to roll to a 37-7 lead in their Week 1 clash before adding a pair of garbage time scores in an embarrassing 44-21 loss.
Highest single-game pressure rate on Kyler Murray in his first three seasons: 37.8%.
Pressure rate by the Chiefs on Sunday, per @pfref: 64.9%
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) September 16, 2022
While not alone in contributing to this team’s shaky start, Kyler Murray stands out. Apart from lead the Cardinals on an impressive 75-yard scoring drive in the first half of their loss to the Chiefs, the Arizona pivot struggled to move the ball outside of garbage time. And last week’s visit in Vegas, Murray compiled just 56 passing yards and one pick before recess.
Kliff Kingsbury on when #AZCardinals WR Rondale Moore might return to the mix:
"I'm hoping within the next two weeks he'll play. If not next week, I would guarantee the game after."
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 23, 2022
So, which version of Murray will show up this week? That could depend on how injuries impact the offensive weapons available to him. Receiver DeAndre Hopkins remains suspended, while receiver Rondale Moore, rusher James Conner, and lineman JJ Watt have all missed time at practice this week due to injury.
Rams vs Cardinals Prediction
A visit to the desert may be just what Matthew Stafford needs to regain his form, particularly against a Cardinals squad that has surrendered 43 total points before recess through Week 2. However, the Rams must avoid the types of blunders they have committed in their first two outings, and rediscover the killer instinct that seemed to be so lacking last week against an inferior Falcons squad.
The Pick: Rams -3.5 (-109) – 1 unit
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Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
