Rams vs Cardinals NFL Week 16 Odds & Betting Preview

With Jared Goff and the suddenly-desperate Los Angeles Rams looking to snap a modest losing streak against the lowly Arizona Cardinals, the only real question surrounding this Week 16 NFC West divisional battle is if L.A. will cover the chalk as a nearly two-touchdown road favorite.

Now, let’s find out if the Rams can get back to their high-scoring ways to cover the spread in this one.

Rams vs Cardinals NFL Week 16 Odds & Betting Preview

When: Sunday, December 23, 2018 at 4:05 PM ET
Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: FOX

Weather Forecast

Partly Cloudy: 21^°C/69^°F
Humidity: 22%
Precipitation: 0%
Wind: 4 mph WSW
Cloud Cover: 34%
Type of Stadium: Retractable

Why Bet on the L.A. Rams at -13.5?

Why should you consider betting on Los Angeles in this contest? There are a bunch of good reasons. First, the Rams are the far better offensive team in this contest. Los Angeles is also the better defensive team in this divisional battle. Last but not least, the Rams have plenty of motivation after dropping two straight and trying to keep their hopes alive of getting the top overall seed in the NFC playoffs.

Los Angeles will be completely desperate after falling to Philly 30-23 last weekend in a game that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicates. The Rams never came close to covering the chalk as a 13.5-point home favorite as quarterback Jared Goff had a miserable game by throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns while superstar running back Todd Gurley was held to just 48 rushing yards. The Rams average a stellar 32.0 points per game to rank third in scoring while allowing 24.5 points per game defensively to rank 20th in points allowed.

Team Statistics

Offense:

Average Score For: 32
Total Yards: 421.28
Pass Yards: 292.21
Rush Yards: 129.07

Defense:

Average Score Against: 24.50
Total Yards: 363.08
Pass Yards: 239.79
Rush Yards: 123.29

Why Bet on Arizona at +13.5?

Are the Cardinals a safe bet for NFL Week 16?

Why should you consider betting on Arizona in this contest? Well, besides the fact that the Cards are getting nearly two touchdowns as home underdogs, there really isn’t much reason! The Cardinals have lost two straight including their humbling 40-14 beatdown loss against Atlanta last weekend while never coming close to covering the spread as a 10-point road dog. Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen passed for 132 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns while veteran backup Mike Glennon passed for 11 yards with one touchdown and no picks. Arizona gave up seven sacks in the loss and was held to 60 rushing yards. The Cardinals average a league-low 13.7 points per game while giving up 26.2 points per game defensively (25th).

Team Statistics

Offense:

Average Score For: 13.71
Total Yards:
Pass Yards: 160.79
Rush Yards: 82.43

Defense:

Average Score Against: 26.21
Total Yards:
Pass Yards: 211.50
Rush Yards: 144.86

Rams vs Cardinals NFL Week 16 Betting Trends

LA Rams are 2-4 ATS in the last 6 games on the road
LA Rams are 8-2 SU in the last 10 games on the road
The total went UNDER in 4 of LA Rams’s last 5 games on the road
Arizona is 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games
Arizona is 1-5 SU in the last 6 games
The total went UNDER in 7 of Arizona’s last 9 games at home

Expert Analysis and Prediction for Rams vs Cardinals

I’m gonna’ lie. I’m completely and fully expecting the Rams to beat the hell out of Arizona in this contest. I like L.A. to reach the 40-point plateau in this one while Arizona narrowly makes it into double digits. Arizona is a complete mess on offense and not much better on defense. The Favorite in this division rivalry has gone 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings. The Rams are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings and the Road team in this series has gone 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings. Simply put, the Rams win and cover!

NFL Week 16 Pick: Rams 42 Cardinals 14