Rams vs. Cardinals: Game of the Week Preview and Predictions
By Robbie Williams
Sunday, Dec. 6 at 4:05 PM ET
NBC
SPREAD: Rams, -3.
This Week 13 matchup between two NFC powerhouse teams is sure to be a good one. The outcome of this game will dramatically affect the state of the divisional race in the NFC West as well as the wild card chances for the teams still in the hunt outside the NFC’s top division. A Rams win this week would not only give them a great shot at winning the NFC West - having already won their first bout with the division leading Seattle Seahawks - but it also would give teams like the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears a significantly better chance of jumping past the Arizona Cardinals by the end of the season to win that newly added second Wildcard spot. However, if the Cardinals win this week, it would make it much harder for the Vikings or Bears to jump them in the standings during the home stretch of the regular season. While the Rams are coming off a tough loss to the San Francisco 49ers, they can afford a loss this week, but this game is essentially a must win for a Cardinals team coming off a two-game losing streak.
LA Rams
The Rams are coming off a tough loss to the 49ers, but they are firmly in control of their own destiny moving forward despite that loss. Though that loss completes a season sweep by the 49ers, the Rams still have the opportunity to sweep the division leading Seahawks, as well as the Cardinals, to take control of the NFC West.
Rams Offense
The Rams lost to the 49ers on a last second field goal. (USA TODAY Sports)
Ranked 9th in rushing offense with 1,371 rushing yards and 15 TDs on the ground, and 12th in passing with 2,910 yards and 16 TDs through the air, the Los Angeles Rams offense is amongst the best in the NFL in total yards, but they have had trouble scoring despite having success moving the ball down the field. The Rams rank 7th in total offensive yards but 20th in total points scored. While they have a knack for gaining yards, they can’t seem to hold onto the ball long enough to get it in the endzone. The Rams are tied with the Minnesota Vikings for 5th most turnovers this season with 19 on the year. If the Rams can get those turnovers under control, this offense could easily be twice as deadly moving towards the playoffs.
Rams Defense
The Rams defense is as solid as they come, being led by Aaron Donald, who is easily the best defensive lineman in the league, while also possessing an outstanding secondary that includes pro-bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The Rams defense is like a delicious Wendy’s 4 for $4 meal, ranking 4th in overall yards allowed, 4th in passing defense, 4th in rushing defense, and 4th in overall scoring. They are even tied right now for the 4th most takeaways in the NFL with 7 fumbles and 11 interceptions on the season. This defense is sure to have an answer for the Arizona Cardinals high-flying offense in Week 13.
Arizona Cardinals
A questionable failed attempt to go for it on 4th and 1 at the goal line in the closing seconds of the first half in Week 12 against the New England Patriots, combined with a tough miss from Zane Gonzales in the 4th quarter, resulted in a tough loss that should have been a hard fought victory for the Arizona Cardinals. Now they are in jeopardy of falling out of the playoff race if they suffer another loss this week against a tough divisional matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
Cardinals Offense
The Cardinals offense currently ranks 2nd in total yards and 7th in points scored, putting them amongst the best in the NFL. However, the New England Patriots managed to hold a banged up Kyler Murray to only 31 rushing yards and 170 passing yards with no touchdowns and one interception. This resulted in the Cardinals scoring less than 20 points for the first time this season. The Cardinals absolutely need Kyler Murray to be more involved in the run game, allowing them to open things up through the air on offense, and give them an edge against a stacked Los Angeles Rams defense.
Cardinals Defense
The Cardinals special teams woes cost them another game. (Charles Krupa/AP)
The Cardinals Defense isn’t bad, but it isn't great either. The Cardinals generate a decent amount of takeaways with 14 so far this season, but they rank 13th and 14th respectively in points allowed and total yards allowed. The Cardinals secondary, led by the outstanding play of their young safety Budda Baker and veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson, is primarily responsible for the success they have had on defense. 10 of the Cardinals 14 takeaways this season have been interceptions. The Cardinals rushing defense ranks 21st in the league, so to stop a well balanced Rams offense, the Cardinals are going to have to step up their run defense big time.
The Prediction
The Los Angeles Rams are simply a more well-rounded team than the Arizona Cardinals and that will lead them to a victory. The Rams defense will be able to bottle up Kyler Murray with their strong pass rush and secondary, while the Cardinals will not be able to stop the Rams on the ground without opening up their secondary. The Cardinals have shown they are too reliant on Deandre Hopkins and Kyler Murray to win games by racking up a high score, while the Rams have shown they simply have more weapons to choose from on offense and their defense always gives their offense a fighting chance.
AJ’S PREDICTION: Rams 17 - 10
CADE’S PREDICTION: Rams 14 - 7
ROBBIE’S PREDICTION: Rams 28 - 24
TIM’S PREDICTION: Rams 31 - 27
SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Rams 28 - 23
Robbie is a sports writer for La Tonique Media.
