Sunday’s bundle of Week 14 NFL games are officially in the books, meaning that fans are now turning their attention to an exciting Monday Night Football contest. This week’s game features a collision between a pair of NFC West teams as the Los Angeles Rams (8-4) go head-to-head against the division-leading Arizona Cardinals (10-2). Both teams will be looking to prove their divisional supremacy tonight, which should make for some entertaining football action.
This Monday will also mark the second meeting between the Rams and Cardinals this season. Arizona managed to take the first victory back in Week 4, routing Los Angeles to a 37-20 final score.
Keeping that in mind, there’s a lot to take account of before tonight’s Monday Night Football clash, so continue reading this guide for the betting odds heading into the matchup — with odds courtesy of BetOnline.
Rams vs Cardinals General Information and Statistics
Tonight’s game will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where the Cardinals currently have a home record of 3-2. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EST and the contest itself can be viewed on ESPN and other streaming platforms around the world.
The Rams are currently averaging 28.0 points per game, which is the fifth-best average in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Rams are averaging 28.6 PPG — the third-best average. Defensively, Los Angeles is allowing 22.5 PPG (17th) while Arizona is surrendering 18.7 PPG (4th).
Monday Night Football: Rams vs Cardinals Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Monday, December 13
- Los Angeles Rams (8-4) vs Arizona Cardinals (10-2)
- Moneyline: Rams (+116) vs Cardinals (-136)
- Spread: Rams +2.5 (-110) vs Cardinals -2.5 (-110)
- Total: 51 — Over (-115), Under (-105)
- Head-to-Head: The Rams are 8-2 against the Cardinals in their last 10 matchups.
A complete list of odds and prop markets is available at BetOnline.ag.
Rams Looking to Begin Win Streak
After going 7-1 to start the 2021 NFL season, the Rams ended up losing three games in a row. They snapped that skid against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13, however, that isn’t exactly comparable to going up against the league’s best team in Monday Night Football.
Nevertheless, the Rams need to learn from their mistakes the last time they played the Cardinals. For starters, Matthew Stafford finished that game with a 63.4% completion rate — tied for his second-worst this season. It didn’t help that Los Angeles’ pass-catchers were kept in check throughout the game, with none of them surpassing more than 64 yards aside from Van Jefferson (90).
Defensively, the Rams need to keep the ball out of the Cardinals’ hands. Arizona controlled the ball for 35:10 in Week 4, whereas Los Angeles was only in control for 24:50. Any time the possession numbers are that different, it’s usually easy to tell how who the better team was. Time of possession is actually something the Rams have struggled with throughout the season, proven by their 28:29 average (26th) compared to Arizona’s 31:26 (7th).
Only time will tell if Los Angeles can reverse its fortunes in Monday Night Football.
Monday Night Football Win Gives Cardinals Playoff Berth
While a Monday Night Football victory would certainly give the Cardinals bragging rights over the Rams, it would also clinch their first playoff berth since the 2015 NFL season.
While the Cardinals were undefeated through the first seven weeks of the season, they’ve lost two of their last five games. That includes two straight at State Farm Stadium. The good news is that Arizona could be getting a boost in the form of running back Chase Edmonds, who’s been on the injured reserve with an ankle injury. He’s expected to be a game-time decision, however, his return would take some pressure off of James Conners’ shoulders.
Overall, the Cardinals just need to keep playing their brand of football if they want to defeat the Rams. A healthy mixture of passing and rushing the ball has worked for them so far and Monday Night Football shouldn’t be any different.
It could also be a big night for the Cardinals defense, considering how Stafford has thrown five interceptions in his last four games. Arizona just had four takeaways against the Chicago Bears last week, so they’ll be looking to ride that momentum tonight. Unless something drastic happens, there’s a reason why BetOnline is favoring the Cardinals at -136 odds tonight.
