NFL Playoffs: Rams to ruffle Cardinals' feathers

It’s a showdown between two NFC West rivals that completes the wild card round of the playoffs on Monday night as the Los Angeles Rams host the Arizona Cardinals.

With two offenses that have struggled at times in recent weeks, this one looks set to be a real battle of which defense is the stronger at SoFi Stadium.

Stafford out to end playoff win wait

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is 0-3 when it comes to playoff games and the 33-year-old will be determined to bag that first post-season victory in LA (kick-off Tuesday 1.15am UK time).

Having seen the Tampa Bay Buccaneers become the first team to win a Super Bowl title in their home stadium last season, the Rams are hoping to do the same this year, with LA at 7% to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy at SoFi Stadium.

If the Rams are to achieve Super Bowl glory they first need to see Stafford break that duck for a maiden playoff win.

The former Detroit Lions playmaker is nursing a toe injury after he landed awkwardly in a 27-24 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers last time out but Stafford is adamant he’s “good to go” for this wild card showdown.

Rams favourites to get the job done

It does look set to be a tight affair in California, with the Rams currently 1.6 to claim the win, while the Cardinals are 2.66 to cause an upset on the road.

Arizona have lost their way in recent weeks, with four defeats in their last five games.

A 25-22 win on the road at the Dallas Cowboys was a strong result but the 38-30 defeat to a Seattle Seahawks side sat at the bottom of the NFC West last time out shows the frailties in this Cardinals side.

Stafford will be looking to exploit a Cardinals defense that might have had their confidence shaken after that defeat to the Seahawks.

The Rams QB has recorded 41 touchdown passes in 17 outings this season and it would be no surprise to see him land a few more on Monday night.

Rams defense to see them home

This does not look likely to be a high-scoring shootout in the West and defenses can expect to be on top for much of this contest.

As mentioned, Stafford should have his moments in the game, but the pressure to get that first playoff win could see the veteran QB play slightly more conservatively.

On the other side of the ball, the Rams defense will certainly make life difficult for a Cardinals’ offensive line that has struggled to protect quarterback Kyler Murray at times this season.

All signs are pointing towards a low-scoring game, with the Rams likely to have enough quality to edge this one and take a step closer to a home Super Bowl outing.

Recommended bets:

Rams to win with -3.5 pts handicap at 1.99

Under 48.5 total points at 2