Los Angeles Rams (2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS) vs. Arizona Cardinals (1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS)
NFL Week 4
Date/Time: Sunday, October 2nd, 2016 at 4:25PM EST
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale, AZ
TV: Fox
by Bob, Expert Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: LA +8 / ARI -8
Over/Under Total: 43
Sunday afternoon, tune into Fox to check out yet another great inner division game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals. Surprising enough, the Rams enter this game 2-1 and the Cardinals coming off an horrible game at Buffalo are 1-2. Arizona was my favorite to win the AFC West and they still could, but if they are going to do that, things have to change. One bright spot for the Cardinals is the fact that they have won four of the last five games they have played against the Rams. Maybe that can factor into this one?
The line opens with the Cardinals as an eight point home favorite over the Rams and the total points are set at 43 combined. 57% of the bettors like the Cardinals to cover this number and 43% think the Rams get the job done, or at least come within the spread. On the season, each of these teams records against the spread match their actual win loss record. The Rams are 2-1 while the Cardinals are 1-2.
So what happened to the Cardinals? Why are they 1-2 when everyone was so high on them? Statistically, they are not a bad team. Arizona ranks 11th in the league in passing, 8th in points scored, and their defense is also ranked in the NFLs upper half allowing just 21 points per game. They just are not winning gamessimple as that. In order to win this game against the Rams, Arizona must, must, must stop Rams running back Todd Gurley. Gurley is the heart and soul of this offense and when he gets going, it takes the pressure off the passing game. The Cardinals have a good defense, some even think a great defense, well they need to show up this weekend. In a big way.
The Rams are surprising 2-1. They have wins over Seattle and Tampa Bay after the week one disaster they put up against the 49ers in a 28-0 loss. The offense finally got clicking last week and if the Rams can keep up that type of play, they could be a pretty decent team and maybe even a Wild Card contender come December. The Rams are the exact opposite of the Cardinals. Arizona is ranked pretty high in the NFL in most categories and they are 1-2. Check out these numbers for the Rams, who have the winning record: 31st ranked passing offense (174 yards per game), 22nd ranked rushing offense (88 yards per game), and 29th ranked scoring offense (15.3 points per game). How have they won two games? Well, one of those was that ugly, disgusting game against the Seahawks that ended with the Rams winning 9-3. Here is the deal for Sunday, the Rams need to get rolling on the ground. Arizona has a good defense and the Rams overall on offense are not that good. If they can get Todd Gurley at least 100-120 yards then the Rams may can control the game. If Gurley is stopped, like he was in weeks one and two, this could be a very bad day for Los Angeles.
You know me with big spreads in the NFL, I usually take the underdogs. And this game is no different. I do think when the clock hits all zeroes that the Cardinals and Rams will both be 2-2 but I have a feeling Arizona is going to have to fight for this one. I see a low scoring game with the Cardinals winning 21-16.
Bobs Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE LOS ANGELES RAMS +8
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