Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals Matchup Preview (1/3/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

The Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals are essentially both a part of a do-or-die situation next week against each other. Both teams need to win to have a chance at making the NFC playoffs. The Rams, Cardinals, and Bears are fighting for the final two spots in the NFC wild card. The Rams were coming off of a loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week, and the Cardinals just lost to the San Francisco 49ers last weekend. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, January 3rd, 2021
Time: 4:25 PM ET
Location: State Farm Stadium – Glendale, Arizona
TV Coverage: CBS

Rams vs. Cardinals Live Stream

Where can you watch Rams vs. Cardinals online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Rams vs. Cardinals Free Online Now.

Injuries:

Los Angeles Rams Questionable: Micah Kiser, David Edwards, Malcolm Brown, Cam Akers, Out: Jared Goff, Darrell Henderson COVID: Cooper Kupp, Michael Brockers
Arizona Cardinals: Questionable: Budda Baker, DeAndre Hopkins, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darrell Daniels, Jonathan Ward, Haason Reddick, Larry Fitzgerald, Maxx Williams, Chase Edmonds

Los Angeles Rams Analysis

The Los Angeles Rams need to win this game to make the playoffs or have the Chicago Bears lose their game to the Green Bay Packers. The Rams have dropped the ball in the last two weeks with their playoff odds. Last week, they took a divisional loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and two weeks ago, the Rams gave the Jets their first win of the season. The Rams will be looking to win this one without a few of their key players.

The Rams’ offense really struggled last week against the Seahawks. Jared Goff threw for 234 yards without scoring any touchdowns and throwing one interception. However, none of that matters for next week. John Wolford, the 25-year old from Wake Forest who most recently played in the AAF, will be starting with Jared Goff out with a thumb injury. Plus, the Rams will also be without Cooper Kupp, and Wolford will need some assistance from the young receivers, run game, and play-caller. The Cardinals have a sound passing defense, allowing the tenth least amount of passing yards per game and just over one passing touchdown per game.

The Rams’ backfield will be without Darrell Henderson and possibly rookie standout Cam Akers. Most of the workload will be left for Malcolm Brown to hold onto. Last week, Henderson led the backfield before getting hurt and ran the ball 12 times for 62 rushing yards. Malcolm Brown ran the ball 7 times for 27 yards in the same game against the Seahawks. Arizona is ranked 23rd in rushing yards per game and gives up 4.7 yards per attempt.

The Rams’ defense has been doing the most to try to keep them in games. Last week, they sacked Russell Wilson five times in the game and put a lot of pressure on him. The Rams have allowed just 19.3 points per game and have one of the best defenses in the league. Without a healthy offense, however, it will be vital for them to keep the Cardinals contained to give room for their offense to have time with the ball.

Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart

QB: Jared Goff
RB1: Cam Akers
RB2: Darrell Henderson
WR1: Robert Woods
WR2: Cooper Kupp
WR3: Josh Reynolds
TE: Tyler Higbee

Arizona Cardinals Analysis

Arizona has to win this game to make it into the NFC playoffs. The Chicago Bears hold the tiebreaker over the Cardinals, so they need to win this game and have the Bears lose to make it to the playoffs. Luckily, after having been scared of their star quarterback out this week with a leg injury, Kyler Murray is now listed as healthy. The Cardinals are getting lucky with having to face a beaten up Rams’ squad next weekend.

Like the Rams, the Cardinals hurt their playoff chances last weekend after having lost to the San Francisco 49ers 20-12. Kyler Murray completed just over 60% of his passes for 247 yards and one interception. He did run the ball, however, eight times for 75 yards in the game too. The Rams have a difficult passing defense to get by. They have allowed the least amount of passing yards and passing touchdowns to their opponents this season. The Rams have also produced the second-most sacks in the NFL and have the fifth-highest sack rate.

The Cardinals’ run game was carried by Kenyan Drake last week. He ran the ball 18 times for 45 yards and the Cardinals’ only touchdown of the game. They were without Chase Edmonds last week due to injury, but he is questionable to return to the game this week. The Rams have allowed the third least amount of rushing yards per game and just 3.8 yards per attempt to their opponents this season.

The Cardinals’ defense has performed decently well for them this season, allowing just 23.3 points per game to their opponents. Last time, however, the Cardinals produced zero turnovers against the Los Angeles Rams and sacked Jared Goff just one time. They will have an easier matchup this time without Jared Goff and two of their running backs. But Sean McVay is savvy, and the Cardinals will need to be prepared for any tricks that the Rams have.

Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart

QB: Kyler Murray
RB1: Kenyan Drake
RB2: Chase Edmonds
WR1: DeAndre Hopkins
WR2: Larry Fitzgerald
WR3: Christian Kirk
TE: Maxx Williams

Betting Corner Cardinals +3.5

Spread: +/- 3.5
Moneyline: Cardinals +123, Rams -150
Over/Under: 40.5

Prediction

Spread: Cardinals +3.5
Moneyline: Cardinals +123
Over/Under: o40.5

The Los Angeles Rams’ offense is diminished in terms of their skill players, and it will certainly have an impact on the game. Without Jared Goff, the Rams’ offense will look a lot different and more predictable to run. The Cardinals should have the ability to scheme well on defense and take advantage of the time of possession. I would take the Cardinals money line and spread for this one.

Even though this game could be low scoring, especially on the Rams’ side, the line for the over/under is dramatically low. I would certainly take advantage of going with the over, considering both of these teams have productive offenses.

Love/Hate Fantasy Picks

Love

Malcolm Brown will be seeing all of the touches in the backfield in this game. Brown has averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game in games where he gets 10+ carries in the backfield. And while he may have a tough time without Jared Goff, the Arizona Cardinals still allow the 11th most fantasy points per game to running backs. Brown has projected 10.5 fantasy points next week and would be a great starter for his value. He is available in 29.7% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Hate

Kenyan Drake had a great game last week against the San Francisco 49ers. However, without his touchdown, he would have been stuck with just 7 fantasy points. Drake is very touchdown reliant, but he has put up six in his last six games. The problem is that the Rams have allowed the least amount of touchdowns per game on the ground to their opponents and have allowed the third least amount of fantasy points per game to their opponents this season. Drake has projected 12.85 fantasy points next week, but his ceiling is quite low against this defense.