The Los Angeles Rams are on the brink of qualifying for the playoffs going into Week 17, and a win over their NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals would go a long way to securing that postseason berth.
Sean McVay’s men lead the division standings ahead of the Cardinals' visit. Arizona's hopes of extending their season have already been extinguished.
The Rams face the NFC West's second-place team, the Seattle Seahawks, in Week 18. An LA win in Week 17 could see them avoid a win-and-in scenario in the final regular season game.
The Cardinals are already looking ahead to next season and come into this game having lost four of their last five, although they did win the last meeting with the Rams in Week 2.
Having finished last season with a 10-7 record, much was expected of the Rams in 2024. After a slow start, they have started to deliver in recent weeks.
The main reason McVay's team are such a threat is that they are dangerous both through the air and on the ground.
QB Matthew Stafford is on track for another 4,000-yard season and running back Kyren Williams has emerged as a consistent workhouse in the backfield.
The former Notre Dame star is currently third in the league’s rushing yards chart, having gained 1,243 yards at average of 4.1 per carry.
The Rams' defense has also improved as the season has progressed, with a +4 turnover ratio which includes 11 interceptions.
In the last two seasons, the Cardinals have ended the regular season with a 4-13 record and although they have improved on that this year, the playoffs will elude them again.
Arizona head coach Jonathon Gannon has seen his roster score more points than the Rams, but their play on the road has been a big issue, with just two wins in seven games.
Kyler Murray has shown in spells just how good he can be, averaging 7.2 yards per pass attempt, but the Arizona QB will have to have a stellar Saturday if the Cardinals are to spring a surprise.
Since the Rams have everything to play for, back them to win by a touchdown against their division rivals.
It’s fair to say Cooper Kupp has not enjoyed his best year to date, but experienced stars often deliver in crucial games at the business end of the season.
The 31-year-old has his lowest receiving yards total in six seasons with 681, but he has six touchdowns to his name and is still ranked inside the top 50 receivers in the NFL.
Kupp, who helped the Rams to lift the NFL Championship in 2021, had four receptions in his team's September defeat to the Cardinals.
The NFC West leaders have a clean bill of health going into this Week 17 clash, so QB Stafford will have every offensive threat at his disposal. Kupp looks capable of benefitting because the Arizona defense will be stretched as they try to cover that wealth of options.
The Rams' recent points tallies show their offense has not been firing on all cylinders of late, highlighted by their 19-9 win over the New York Jets last week.
McVay’s men have scored more than 21 points in just one of their last five games, that was in a 44-42 shootout win over the Buffalo Bills at the start of this month.
The Cardinals have also had similar issues in the red zone. The last time they scored over 31 points was against this week's opponents in Arizona's 41-10 win over the Rams at State Farm Stadium back in Week 2.
Under 45.5 points would have landed in six of the Arizona games this season and seven of the Rams’ 15 games to date. So, it makes sense to take Under 47.5 here.
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Arizona Cardinals | +250 ML |
Los Angeles Rams | -310 ML |
Spread | LA Rams -7.0 |
Total Points | O/U 47.5 |
Kyren Williams (LA Rams) | -255 |
Puka Nacua (LA Rams) | -110 |
James Conner (ARZ Cardinals) | -105 |
Cooper Kupp (LA Rams) | +110 |
DeeJay Dallas (ARZ Cardinals) | +137 |
Trey Benson (ARZ Cardinals) | +137 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.