The Los Angeles Rams finally got back in the win column last Sunday after a three-game slide that saw them slip down the standings in the NFC West. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals welcomed back Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins, who wasted no time connecting for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears.
Now, these two teams will collide in a Monday matchup with plenty of playoff implications on the line. The NFL odds currently have the Cardinals as a 2.5-point favorite at home. So let’s break it down and take a look at some of the best Monday Night Football bets in this critical divisional showdown.
The Cardinals’ Defense Is Elite
Andy Dalton and the Bears got a first-hand look at the Cardinals’ defense, which has been making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks all season long. Dalton was running for his life throughout the game and was sacked three times, on top of his four interceptions. It was a woeful afternoon in the Windy City.
Arizona has 32 sacks on the season. The Cardinals are also a top-five defensive unit in total yards allowed, passing yards, points allowed and third-down conversions.
Can the Rams Live Up to Expectations?
The Rams have constructed a squad that should be a Super Bowl contender on paper. The marriage between head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford looked like a Hollywood love story until a recent three-game skid created a plot twist that the Rams didn’t see coming.
But with any good story, there’s always conflict and adversity. Thanks to a 37-7 throttling of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Rams ended a three-game losing streak. They’ll now face a more fearful foe in the NFC-leading Cardinals. Can the Rams continue their winning ways?
Monday Night Football Bets: Rams vs. Cardinals
Arizona became the first 10-win team in the NFL after their victory on Sunday in Chicago. The Cards managed to weather the injury storm over the last month, and now they’re getting healthy.
Los Angeles is a 2.5-point underdog in this one and for good reason. This year, the Rams are just 5-7 against the spread and haven’t beaten a team with a winning record since Week 3. On the Arizona side, the Cardinals are a sparkling 9-3 ATS and have already defeated the Rams, 37-20, back in Week 4.
The Rams are a middling team against the pass (16th), and now that Murray and his favorite receiver (Hopkins) are back, the Cardinals should have no problem pushing the ball down the field. Couple that with a suffocating defense, and you have the recipe for an Arizona victory. I’m taking the Cardinals to cover the spread.
For a secondary take on this game, consider taking the Arizona money line and both teams to score 20 or more points, parlayed together at +180.
Prediction: Cardinals win 34-24
Who Will Be the Best in the NFC West?
After the games on Sunday, it’s always nice to sit down and make a few Monday Night Football bets.
This week’s game shouldn’t disappoint as two of the best teams in the NFC square off in a game that will go a long way in crowning the NFC West champion. So be sure to keep up to date on BetMGM’s football lines and check back daily for all of your Arizona sports betting action.
NFL Over/Under Odds at BetMGM
The BetMGM sportsbook has updated NFL betting totals throughout the season, including over/under odds for each game. You can place a single bet on an over/under total or build a parlay with multiple bets.
