Hot Rams and Struggling Cardinals Meet for Second Time This Season
pmroczka
The Los Angeles Rams (8-3 Overall, 4-1 Away) visit the Arizona Cardinals (5-6 Overall, 3-2 Home) for a 4:25 p.m. E.T. game today. When these two teams met on Oct 22 the Rams vanquished the Cards 33-0. The Cardinals, who are 2-3 for their last five, beat the Jacksonville Jaguars last week 27-24. Just prior to that win, Arizona has lost to Seattle and Houston. The Rams have had one loss over their last five. That was 24-7 to the Minnesota Vikings on Nov 19. Prior to that loss, LA has won four games in a row. Our Rams play Cardinals 2017 NFL free pick has LA favored by seven points and the over/under listed at 43.5.
Los Angeles Overview
The Rams have managed to put together a sound offense that is guided by second-year quarterback Jared Goff (61.8 COMP%, 18 TDs, 5 INTs). Goff has been having a very fine season, as the Rams have put an average of 29.9 PPG on the scoreboard. One problem for today’s game is the loss of leading receiver Robert Woods. But Goff still has a lot of fine players to throw to, including wideouts Cooper Kupp and Sammy Watkins. Plus, RB Todd Gurley II, who has rushed for 865 yards and eight TDs, has caught 42 passes with three going for scores. Only 19 sacks have been allowed this season.
The Ram defense is holding teams to 18.7 PPG. They have 31 sacks, 12 interceptions, 59 PD, and 12 FF with seven recovered. Those are all solid stats. LB Mark Barron leads the team with 77 tackles and three picks, while DE Aaron Donald’s six sacks, six TFL, and three forced fumbles are team bests,
Rams Summary
Pass attack is diverse and dynamic
Solid ground attack
Tough defense
Arizona Overview
The Arizona Cardinals are averaging merely 18.5 PPG. QB Blaine Gabbert (61.1 COMP%, 5 TDs, 3 INTs) will start, as Carson Palmer is out for the season with a broken arm and Drew Stanton is also down with an injury. The Arizona rush attack put its hopes early this season on the aging Adrian Peterson. He has underperformed and is injured and is unlikely to play or, if he does play, be effective. Veteran WR Larry Fitzgerald comes to this game with 72 receptions and four TDs, while wideout Jason Brown has 25 pass catches and three scores.
Although the Arizona defense is allowing 25.3 PPG, they do possess some impressive stats. They’ve managed to 10 INTs, defend 50 passes, and force 12 fumbles. They also have 27 sacks. Safety Antoine Bethea leads the club with three picks and is tied with two others for most PD with six. LB Chandler Jones is scary-good with 12 sacks, nine TFL and two passes defended.
Cardinals Summary
Not a lot of offensive weapons
WR Fitzgerald is very dangerous
Some good defensive tools
Three Primary Takeaways
Here’s what we’re considering in creating our Rams play Cardinals 2017 NFL free pick-
Goff has a lot of receivers to toss to
Ram D is playing well
Arizona may need to win this with D
LA at Arizona Free Picks
The Rams can score and their defense is sharp. Arizona does have a decent defense despite the number of points allowed per game. Still, our Rams play Cardinals 2017 NFL free pick does like LA at -7.0 and the under at 43.5.
Summary Rams and Cardinals Spread and Totals: Rams at -7.0 and under 43.5
