Cardinal defense to keep Rams penned in

The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams do battle in the NFC West in the Monday Night Football with more than just bragging rights at stake in this divisional match-up. 

A win for the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium would not only see them pull further ahead in the division but also help keep their beaks in front of the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Conference Standings.

Cardinals defense holds the key

With a 10-2 record going into the encounter in the early hours of Tuesday morning (1.15 am UK time), the Cardinals have established themselves as serious contenders to reach the Super Bowl this season.

Arizona were at just 2% in our market to win the Super Bowl at the start of the regular season but are now 12% to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy on February 13.  

The Cardinals rise has been largely thanks to a mean defense, with only three other teams conceding less passing yards than Arizona this season.

Coach Kliff Kingsbury can also be proud of his team’s rushing defense to date, with only two other sides conceding less touchdowns than the Cardinals’ eight this season. 

While Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has impressed this term, it’s hard to see LA bagging enough points at State Farm to get the win, especially considering the weapons Arizona have at their disposal in offense.

Our market has the Cardinals at 56% for the win on home turf and their defence should play a big part in helping secure what would be a third win on the bounce for Arizona.

Arizona beat LA 37-20 when they met in California back in October.

Rams have fallen short in big games

With an 8-4 record the Rams have been able to pick up wins against weaker opponents but against contenders to reach the Super Bowl, LA have tended to fall short this season.

A three game-losing spell against the Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers and Packers just shows where this Rams franchise are at present.

Defense has been a real issue for the California outfit, having conceded an average of 25.5 points over their last four games, which includes the 37-7 victory over Jacksonville.

On the other side of the ball, the Rams have notched up some strong stats on offense, with the third highest passing yards (3618 yds) in the NFL and the second most touchdown passes (30).

However, as mentioned, these have come in games the Rams were expected to win and against teams like the Cardinals, the Rams have struggled to get the points needed for wins.

Looking at the over/under markets, the Rams’ inability to get big points against the tougher defenses means going under 52.5 points might be the way to go, and is currently at 52%.

Watch out for Murray and Hopkins

Both back fit and firing in the Cardinals lineup, the partnership of quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be one to look out for in this one.

Hopkins has the ability to work in the tightest of spaces, and Murray has the quality to pick out the former Houston Texans star in a crowd.

If Murray and Hopkins start clicking then it will give the Cardinals a big advantage to claim what would be an 11th win of the season and complete a double over the Rams after their 37-20 win back in October in Inglewood.

Arizona should not only win this match but also have the firepower to get the scores needed to cover the -3.0 point spread at 2.02.