Cardinals vs. Rams Prediction, Picks & Best Bets Tonight: Saturday NFL Week 17

The Los Angeles Rams are about as assured in December as Santa Claus' arrival. They're 3-0 against the spread (ATS) thus far in December and are hoping to make it a perfect 4-0 when they face the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium tonight (8:10 p.m. ET, NFL Network). 

The Rams are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games and enter today's outing as the 6.5-point favorites. A win would inch them closer to their sixth postseason berth in eight seasons under Sean McVay's tutelage. 

Arizona had the final nail driven into its coffin in North Carolina last week and has lost three in a row on the road. Our Cardinals vs. Rams prediction, part of the NFL Week 17 predictions, expects Los Angeles to have a big day and cover the spread. 

Cardinals vs. Rams updated betting info

Opening as 4-point favorites, the Rams are now the 6.5-point favorites at BetMGM. The public has backed them accordingly, with 71% of the bets and 70% of the money on Matthew Stafford's Rams. 

The total opened at 49 but has since dropped to 47.5. 

Kyren Williams' rushing yards total is one of the most popular bets for the game, which we cover in our Cardinals vs. Rams player prop picks.

Cardinals vs. Rams predictions: Saturday

NFL picks based on the odds from our best NFL betting sites. Odds subject to change.

• Against the spread pick: Rams -6.5 () vs. Cardinals ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• My best pick: Matthew Stafford Over 232.5 passing yards () ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cardinals vs. Rams ATS prediction: Week 17

Rams to cover the spread: -6.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -110 via Caesars | Implied probability: 52.38%

Rams have everything to play for, Cardinals not so much

While I don't often slap five stars on a pick, I'm drawn to the Rams notching at least a seven-point win over the Cardinals, just as Puka Nacua is to every ball thrown in his vicinity. 

There's nothing for the Cardinals to play for but pride and being a spoiler. Meanwhile, the Rams are on the verge of advancing to the playoffs for the sixth time in eight years under McVay's stewardship.

The combatants are also on opposite trajectories, with the Rams winning eight of the last 10 and four straight. 

The Cardinals are spiraling in the other direction and were eliminated from playoff contention in the most discouraging fashion, losing in overtime to the 4-11 Carolina Panthers. Making matters worse, the Cardinals were sitting atop the NFC West after beating the New York Jets less than two months ago.

Cardinals hit where it hurts the most

Not only will their season end prematurely, but the injury bug has hit the Cardinals' sixth-ranked rushing attack hard. It's unclear whether James Connor or Trey Benson will play Saturday, as both have suffered recent injuries. 

Benson is questionable after missing the Week 16 game against Carolina with an ankle injury, while Connor seems more likely to suit up after injuring his knee in Week 16. 

The Cardinals, who are averaging 161 rushing yards over their last four games, should struggle without one or both of their top two running backs. Los Angeles fields the 13th-ranked run defense via PFF, and the Rams haven't allowed more than 75 yards on the ground in the team's last two outings. 

Rams' ground-and-pound advantage

On the other side of the ball there's Kyren Williams, who has averaged 105.25 yards over the Rams' last four outings. He's facing a Cardinals' run defense that's ranked 22nd overall via PFF and has allowed 178.3 yards per game across the last three weeks, including 243 against the Panthers. 

Caesars offers the top price among our best sportsbooks, and a winning $10 bet will lead to a $9.09 profit.

Cardinals vs. Rams best pick

Our NEW NFL player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Matthew Stafford Over 232.5 passing yards ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -113 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 53.05%

Matthew Stafford is an entirely different beast at SoFi Stadium, which is the primary reason I'm drawn to the Over. The Rams quarterback has tossed for at least 233 yards in four straight and five of seven on home turf.

The only games when he didn't eclipse 233 passing yards came against the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, and both outings came without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. 

Stafford is averaging 279 passing yards per game with his two primary receivers at his disposal in the friendly confines of SoFi Stadium. While the Cardinals have only allowed 233 passing yards once in their last eight matchups, the club's pass rush ranks 31st and its coverage sits 24th, according to PFF. 

The clash favors the Rams, and Stafford should get enough time in the pocket to pile up the required yards. FanDuel and DraftKings offer the lowest number of 232.5, with the former providing the best price.

Cardinals vs. Rams odds

See all of this week's NFL odds and NFL scores.

Cardinals vs. Rams live odds

Cardinals vs. Rams opening odds:

• Cardinals: +5.5 (-110)
• Rams: -5.5 (-110)

Cardinals vs. Rams injuries

Cardinals vs. Rams game info

• When: Saturday, Dec. 28
• Kickoff: 8:10 p.m. ET
• Where: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)
• How to watch: NFL Network
• Weather: Indoors
• Favorite: Rams -6.5 (-110 via Caesars)

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