NFL Week 12 Rams at Cardinals Betting Preview
Sub .500 Teams Meet Up in the Desert
The playoffs are likely out the window for both combatants in the Rams at Cardinals betting matchup as part of the week 12 slate. That being said, Los Angeles is technically still in the hunt at 4-6 while Arizona looks way different from their 2-9 record now that QB Kyler Murray is back in the lineup.
Oddsmakers had to make the Rams road favorites for this matchup, and L.A. goes off at -2.5 coming off a late win over the Seahawks last week. Arizona has covered the number in both of Murray’s starts since returning from the injury list though, and have gone 4-1 ATS at home overall this season. It’s a tough call with two sub .500 teams, but 63% of the betting public is going with the Rams.
Why the Rams Have Value at -2.5
It’s been a down year for Los Angeles, but last week’s 17-16 win over Seattle showed that it’s not time to pull the plug on this team just yet. The Rams are two down in the win column from making the wild card, meaning Sunday’s visit to Arizona is a must win.
The L.A. offense is a shadow of its former self this year scoring less than 20 ppg, but that could change vs. a Cardinals defense that ranks 27th in the NFL in points allowed and 24th in total yards given up. The Rams got good news this week when WR Cooper Kupp was a full participant at practice after being knocked from the Seahawks game and Kupp torched Arizona for 7 catches and 148 yards in L.A’s 26-9 win in week 6.
While the Rams offense should have nice production on Sunday, it might be their defense that makes them the play in this matchup. L.A. held Seattle to 68 yards rushing last week on 21 carries, and the relentless pressure from Aaron Donald knocked Seahawks QB Geno Smith out for a couple series’ – not great for the diminutive Murray.
Why the Cardinals Have Value at +2.5
Without even looking at stats and trends, a home underdog in a divisional game has always been a game bettors thrive on. The Cardinals have covered the number in four of their five home games this season, and a majority of those were without Murray who has gone 2-0 ATS since returning from injury.
Murray has been solid since his return, throwing and running for a TD in last Sunday’s 21-16 loss to the Texans and leading a 25-23 win over Atlanta in week 10. Los Angeles has a fierce pass rush, but getting the dual threat Murray under center is the perfect antidote to that.
Arizona had Josh Dobbs at QB in their loss to the Rams earlier this season and he was just 21/41 for 235 yards with 0 TD and 1 INT. Murray can be much better than that – plus the Cardinals actually ran for 130 yards in the first meeting with L.A.
Free Week 12 Rams at Cardinals Betting Pick
Nobody would blame a person for taking Los Angeles -2.5 here because they have won four of the last five and 8 of the last 10 against Arizona – and that is the way to go.
Free Pick: Rams -2.5
