Note: If you’re looking
for the 2014 Week 10 matchup between these two teams, please go here: Rams
vs. Cards Pick
St Louis Rams (5-7 SU, 5-7 ATS) vs. Arizona Cardinals (7-5 SU, 8-4 ATS)
NFL Week 14
Date and Time: Sunday, December 8, 4:25pm
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium
TV: FOX
by Bob, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: STL +6/AZ -6
Over/Under Total: 42
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This Sunday, the St Louis Rams will travel west to take
on the Arizona Cardinals. To some of the fans, this game
is a little personal since the Cardinals were once in St Louis themselves
before being relocated to Arizona. It is not a huge rivalry, but when you
have two teams that are so average, you need to find anything possible to
hype it up. Arizona opens up as the six point home favorite, while the total
points are set at 42. On paper, the Cardinals are the better team, but this
being an NFC West matchup, can go either way. Arizona is still fighting
to stay alive in the playoff race while even though they aren’t officially
eliminated, the future doesn’t look so bright for the Rams. What many do
not realize is that the Cardinals have quietly become one of the hottest
teams in the NFC winning four of their last five games, and the only loss
coming in a tough, hard fought game just this past weekend against the Philadelphia
Eagles. If the Rams plan to slow them down, it will not be an easy task.
These two have already met in week one, and the Rams won 27-24, but that
was way back in September, the Cardinals have improved majorly since that
time.
Talking about the great play of the Arizona Cardinals, they have come on strong in the last month. One of their most complete games, was their 40-11 domination of the Indianapolis Colts just a couple of weeks ago. They also have a win over the Carolina Panthers, who is making a case for themselves being an NFC contender as well. This Cardinals team is good, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They rank 4th in the NFL in rushing defense and they are not far off from also having a top 15 pass defense. These guys are not easy to score on. They have in five of their twelve games, they have held their opponents to 14 points or less. What doesn’t work into the Cards favor is their schedule. They will have played Seattle twice and San Francisco twice before its all said and done…not many teams would want to run that gauntlet, or if they did want to, they wouldn’t be very successful in the long run. Along with a good defense, Carson Palmer has brought some sort of stability to the QB position as well. He has thrown for over 3,100 yards and 19 touchdowns already this season which has Arizona ranked in the upper half of the league in passing yards. The public as well as the bookmakers have a lot of faith in this team. Coming in as almost a TD favorite is a compliment to their recent success. In order to cover, they just need to play sound defense. If they can keep St Louis off the board, or at least keep them under 20 points, they will be in good shape to cover this six ppoint spread.
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The Rams have already beaten the Cardinals once this year, but that was in week one. Arizona has become a much more cohesive unit since that day, but the Rams have gotten a little better themselves. Before losing to San Fran this past weekend, the Rams won two pretty big games in impressive fashion. They beat the Colts 38-8, then came right back the next week and put a 42-21 hurting on the Chicago Bears. The Rams have caught some people by surprise just because of the simple fact that they play hard. Statistically, they are just your everyday average team, but they do have desire, and they are young and full of passion. In order to win this game, or at least cover the spread they will need to be smart on offense. Arizona is good at forcing turnovers and if the Rams fall victim to this, it will be a long day. If St Louis plays a clean game, and keeps it close for a half, then its anyones game.
Bob Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Six point spreads in the NFL usually scream to me to bet the underdog. However, in this case, the Rams with Kellen Clemens at the helm are an exception to the rule. As you probably know, this guy really doesn’t below in the NFL. The Rams will look to Zac Stacy to keep them in the game and when they get behind they won’t be able to pass the ball vs. a nasty Cards defense that like Seattle, always seems to bring their “A-game” when playing on their home field. I don’t have a crystal ball by any means, but I’m forecasting a blowout. Cardinals win and cover 27-7.
