Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals Preview (9/25/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart

The Los Angeles Rams head to Arizona this weekend to take on the Cardinals. Last season these two division rivals split their regular season match ups 1-1, but the Rams beat the Cardinals in the playoffs. Let’s dive into the matchups, odds, and depth charts to predict which team will move to 2-1, and which will move to 1-2.

Los Angeles Rams Vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Odds

The Rams (-3.5) are road favorites versus the underdog Cardinals (+3.5). The line started with the Rams favored at -4.5, but has moved down to -3.5 since Sunday night. The over/under began at 51, but has lowered to 49.5 points.

Los Angeles Rams Vs. Arizona Cardinals Prediction

Both the Rams and Cardinals have performed far below the level which brought them to the playoffs last year. After these teams lost ugly in week 1 to two of the NFL’s best in the Chiefs and Bills, they narrowly beat their week 2 opponents. So far, they may be the two most confusing teams of the season.

The Rams took an early 28-3 lead to the Falcons, but the Falcons almost pulled off the come back. Rams miscues, such as two Stafford interceptions and a blocked punt, allowed the Falcons to chip at the Rams lead in the second half. If not for a late Jalen Ramsey interception, the Rams risked an 0-2 start.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals won in week 2 despite trailing the Raiders 20-0. The Cardinals offense has looked underwhelming, as they’ve only put up a combined 14 points outside of the fourth quarter in their first two match-ups. If not for some late Kyler Murray magic and forced fumbles, the Cardinals likely had no chance of pulling off the OT win.

These two NFC West rivals have shown they are prone to mistakes and inconsistent play. The Rams are tied for the league lead in turnovers with 6 and Stafford leads the NFL in interceptions with 5. If Stafford continues to turn the ball over, the Cardinals will stay in the game. The Rams should fear this after seeing Murray and Co. overcome a 20 point deficit. Despite the Cardinals miracle win and Stafford turnovers, I am putting my trust this week in coach Sean McVay over coach Kliff Kingsbury. Super Bowl Champion McVay has proven himself as one of the best coaches in the league while Kingsbury failed to capitalize on an 8-0 start least year, or turn the Cardinals into an offensive juggernaut.

Prediction: Rams win 28-24, Over hits.

Betting Trends

• Rams are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS loss.
• Cardinals are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Rams Injuries: Van Jefferson (Q), Brian Allen (Q), Decobie Durant (Q), Xavier Jones (Q)

Arizona Cardinals Injuries: James Conner (Q), Andy Isabella (Q), Trayvon Mullen (Q), Rondale Moore (Q)

Key Matchups

Will this Cardinals secondary be able to contain Cooper Kupp? How will Kyler Murray and this Cardinals offensive line fare against the Rams front? Check out the key matchups and mismatches for Cardinals vs Rams below.

Cooper Kupp vs the Cardinals Secondary

On paper, Cooper Kupp has a favorable matchup against the Cardinals secondary this week. The Cardinals pass defense is second to worst in the league, allowing 302 passing yards per game this season. With Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp following his triple crown season by starting with two 100 yard receiving games this year, we would expect Kupp to feast on a weak Cardinals secondary. However, the Cardinals held Raiders receiver, the 2x all pro Davante Adams, to just 12 receiving yards on 2 receptions. Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. not only returned the Cardinals game-winning fumble, but also kept Adams in check most of the game. If they can contain Kupp like they did with Adams, they will eliminate Stafford’s best weapon and increase the likelihood of Stafford producing more boneheaded turnovers.

Kyler Murray vs Rams Defensive Front

You’ve been living under a rock if you haven’t seen the crazy highlight of Kyler Murray scrambling for 20.8 seconds, according to NexGenStats, to get a game tying two point conversion as the game clock hit double zeros last week. Murray’s mobility and ability to scramble allows him not only to buy time, but give his receivers a chance to get open. This playmaking kept the Cardinals in games where both their team and coaching is overmatched. The best way for the Rams to beat their division rivals will be for Aaron Donald and the Rams’ line to contain Kyler Murray, preventing him from escaping to make huge plays like he did in this crazy scramble.

This Kyler Murray 2-point conversation is absolute bonkers 🤯

📺 CBS | @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/IcWXu5tooh

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 18, 2022

Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart

QB: Matthew Stafford
RB1: Darrell Henderson Jr.
RB2: Cam Akers
LWR:Allen Robinson II
RWR: Van Jefferson
SWR: Cooper Kupp
TE1: Tyler Higbee

Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart

QB: Kyler Murray
RB1: James Conner
RB2: Eno Benjamin
LWR: Marquise Brown
RWR: AJ Green
SWR: Andre Baccellia
TE1: Zach Ertz