Rams at Cardinals: Best Bets for Monday Night Football in Week 14

The Arizona Cardinals got Kyler Murray back and promptly put up 33 points on the Chicago Bears. Sunday was the eighth time this season that the Cardinals have scored 30 or more points.

Despite playing without their starting quarterback for three consecutive games before Week 13, Arizona ranks third in the NFL in points per game. With Murray and DeAndre Hopkins back in the mix, the Cardinals are three-point favorites against the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL betting lines from BetMGM.

Can the Cardinals sweep the Rams in the season series? Will the Rams at Cardinals matchup go over the 52 point total? Read on to find out how these two teams match up.

Game Total Under 52 (-110)

Both the Rams and Cardinals have flashy playmakers on offense, but I expect the Rams’ defense to shine in this matchup. Unlike the last time the Cardinals faced off against the Rams, Kyler Murray will now have to deal with All-Pro defensive end Von Miller.

The Rams traded for the star defensive end on November 1st, but he was dealing with injuries at the time. As a result, the Week 14 matchup against the Cardinals will only be Miller’s fourth game with the Rams.

Los Angeles has two formidable pass rushers in Aaron Donald and Von Miller. The Rams are tied for fourth place in total sacks with 32, and they rank seventh against the run, meaning Murray may not have much help from running back James Conner. This season, the Cardinals rank 4th in the NFL in rushing attempts per game.

The Cardinals also have the fourth-best defense in points allowed per game (18.7), and they allow the fifth-fewest passing yards per game (205.1). So if the Cardinals can slow down the Rams’ third-ranked passing attack (289 yards per game), I don’t see this game hitting the 52-point total.

Arizona Cardinals -3 (-110)

While the Rams’ defensive stars may present problems for Kyler Murray, Arizona’s defense as a whole deserves some praise. The Cardinals’ defense ranks fifth in the NFL in yards allowed per game and is at its best when it’s defending the pass.

This defense could pose a problem for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has had some issues with turnovers over the past four games.

Stafford has thrown five interceptions over the past four games. In the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, he didn’t turn the ball over. Stafford has thrown at least one interception in the four losses that the Rams have had this season and had a QBR under 60. The Rams’ winning formula is simple: Los Angeles wins if Stafford has a good game.

This week, he has to go against one of the best pass defenses in the NFL.

Matthew Stafford still has the second-most touchdowns in the NFL (30) and the 3rd most yards (3,611), but turnovers could be an issue against the Cardinals. Arizona has the fifth most takeaways in the league and has the fourth-fewest turnovers themselves. I believe this game will come down to who can protect the ball, so I’m picking the Cardinals to cover the spread.

Reviewing the Best Bets for Rams at Cardinals

The Rams lost three games in a row before beating Jacksonville last week. On the other hand, the Cardinals hardly missed a step when Kyler Murray was out. Now that he’s back, I think the Cardinals are a good bet this week.

The Rams’ last four wins came against the Jaguars, Texans, Lions, and Giants. However, the NFC-best Cardinals present a much more challenging opponent. Do you think that the Cardinals will beat the Rams this week? Head to BetMGM’s Arizona sports betting page to wager on the Rams at Cardinals game and other Week 14 NFL matchups.