Cardinals (11-6) at Rams (12-5)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California TV: ESPN
Tipico Sportsbook line: Rams by 4 ⁄2
1
Cardinals’ keys to victory: In their last meeting (Week 14), the Cardinals outgained the Rams 447-356. However, QB Kyler Murray threw two interceptions that proved costly. If the Cardinals are going to beat the Rams like they did in Week 4, Murray will have to play much cleaner and avoid turnovers because Los Angeles’ offense will take advantage by converting takeaways into points. Defensively, it’s all about pressuring QB Matthew Stafford, which is doable after seeing the 49ers sack him five times and land 13 hits on the quarterback in Week 18.
Rams’ keys to victory: When Los Angeles has lost this season, it’s typically been in games where Stafford turns it over multiple times. That was the case against the 49ers in the season finale; he threw two interceptions in the 2724 loss. He was under constant pressure due to poor protection up front, but Stafford has been careless with the ball, throwing 17 interceptions to tie his third most in any season. The Rams must also get the running game going to balance the offense, which they were unable to do against the 49ers with just 64 yards rushing.
Matchup to watch: Cardinals OLB Chandler Jones vs. Rams OT Andrew Whitworth. Jones is the Cardinals’ most impactful pass rusher, and he’ll go up against the Rams’ top lineman on the edge.
Who wins? Before blowing a 17point lead vs. the 49ers, the Rams were rolling. The Cardinals are trending in the opposite direction, looking shaky against the Seahawks last week. If LA takes care of the ball, it will win narrowly.
Rams, 27-24
W ....... at Tennessee ....... 38-13 W ......... Minnesota ......... 34-33 W ...... at Jacksonville ...... 31-19 W ........ at LA Rams ........ 37-20 W ....... San Francisco ....... 17-10 W ........ at Cleveland ........ 37-14 W ............ Houston ............ 31-5 L .......... Green Bay .......... 24-21 W ..... at San Francisco ..... 31-17 L ............ Carolina ............ 34-10 W .......... at Seattle .......... 23-13 BYE WEEK
W ......... at Chicago ......... 33-22 L ........... LA Rams ........... 30-23 L .......... at Detroit .......... 30-12 L ........ Indianapolis ........ 22-16 W .......... at Dallas .......... 25-22 L ............ Seattle ........... 38-30
W ............ Chicago ............ 34-14 W ...... at Indianapolis ...... 27-24 W ......... Tampa Bay ......... 34-24 L ............. Arizona ............. 37-20 W ........... at Seattle ........... 26-17 W ........ at N.Y. Giants ........ 38-11 W ............. Detroit ............. 28-19 W .......... at Houston .......... 38-22 L .......... Tennessee .......... 28-16 L ...... at San Francisco ...... 31-10 BYE WEEK
L ........ at Green Bay ........ 36-28 W .......... Jacksonville .......... 37-7 W .......... at Arizona .......... 30-23 W ............ Seattle ............ 20-10 W ....... at Minnesota ....... 30-23 W ........ at Baltimore ........ 20-19 L .... San Francisco .... 27-24 (OT)