Game Details
Arizona Cardinals (7-8 SU, 9-6 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Rams (9-6 SU, 8-7 ATS)
NFL Football Week 17
Date/Time: Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 8:00 PM EST
Where: Sofi Stadium, Inglewood, California
TV: NFL Network
Betting Odds
Point Spread: ARI +6.5 / LAR -6.5
Money Line: ARI +240 / LAR -290
Over/Under Total: 47.5
Game Overview
The Arizona Cardinals take on the Los Angeles Rams in a key NFC West battle from SoFi Stadium on Saturday. The Cardinals are coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Panthers, 36-30, which marked their fourth loss in five games and eliminated them from playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Rams, winners of four straight, continue their late-season surge with a 19-9 victory over the Jets. Can Arizona rise to the spoiler role, or will Los Angeles continue building toward the postseason? Let’s dive into the details.
Urgency
As we enter Week 17, the Rams clearly hold the urgency advantage. With their playoff hopes still alive and a chance to secure the division, Los Angeles has everything to play for. Arizona, on the other hand, is playing for pride after a demoralizing stretch that saw their promising start unravel. Last week, the Cardinals looked flat, with Kyler Murray and his key playmakers struggling against the Panthers' defense. It’s tough to envision them bouncing back in a significant way, especially on the road for the second straight week during the holidays.
The Rams, who started the season 1-4, have now won eight of their last ten games. This turnaround has been driven by improved play from Matthew Stafford and his weapons, coupled with a more cohesive team effort. While the Rams’ playoff chances are strong, they’ll need to finish the season strong to fend off the Seahawks and secure their place in the postseason.
Why the Rams Are Dangerous
Los Angeles has turned a corner offensively, with Stafford thriving alongside a healthy group of playmakers. The return of WR Puka Nacua has complemented Cooper Kupp, while RB Kyren Williams adds versatility in the backfield. The recent return of TE Tyler Higbee also provides Stafford with an additional target. With the Rams clicking offensively, they’re well-positioned to exploit an Arizona defense that gave up 36 points to Carolina last week.
Defensively, the Rams have been inconsistent, but recent performances have been encouraging. They held the Jets to 9 points last week and the 49ers to 6 points the week before. While they’ve struggled against top-tier offenses, Arizona’s recent form suggests the Rams’ defense can hold up well in this matchup.
Betting Pick and Rationale
This matchup features two teams trending in opposite directions. The Rams are thriving late in the season, while the Cardinals appear deflated after a late-season collapse. While betting heavily on playoff motivation can be risky, the stark contrast in recent performance and overall energy levels makes the Rams the clear choice here.
The Rams have the tools to exploit Arizona’s weaknesses on both sides of the ball. Look for Los Angeles to pull away late and cover the spread.
Pick: Los Angeles Rams -6.5
Prediction: Rams 30, Cardinals 17