LA must be careful with Arizona playing spoiler in Week 17
The L.A. Rams maintain control over their destiny with a four-game winning streak and the Arizona Cardinals coming to town, with LA a 3.5-point favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook. Arizona shredded the Rams 41-10 in Week 2, but this is a much different and more determined LA team with a playoff spot and the NFC West on the line.
While the Rams’ trip to the Meadowlands wasn’t pretty, they eked out a 19-9 comeback win over Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. Los Angeles trailed 9-6 entering the fourth quarter but managed to grab the lead for good with 10:11 remaining in the third quarter after Tyler Higbee caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford. It was only fitting that Higbee scored in his season debut.
I love Tyler Higbee pic.twitter.com/S6xsiI6x2t
— JAKE ELLENBOGEN (@JKBOGEN) December 22, 2024
Kyren Williams rushed for 122 yards and 1 touchdown on 22 carries. The star running back has the second-most 100-yard rushing games since 2023, and has set a new career high in rushing yards with 1,243 yards and counting. The Rams’ defense was the co-MVP alongside Williams as the unit shut out New York after halftime and continued their elite play with back-to-back divisional opponents on the schedule.
LA surrenders fewer than 10 points in consecutive games for first time since 2015. Only the 3rd time in the last 30 seasons of Rams football that’s been done. (via NFL Research) pic.twitter.com/Dn2OSjpYHx
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) December 22, 2024
Following a 6-4 start to the season, the Cardinals fell to 1-4 in their last five games since the bye after a 36-30 overtime loss to the Panthers. Arizona had no answers in slowing down Carolina running back Chuba Hubbard who rushed for 152 yards and had the game-winning 21-yard score in the extra period. Kyler Murray threw for 202 yards and added 63 on the ground. Running back James Conner led the way with 117 yards rushing and a touchdown before exiting in the third quarter with a knee injury, The Cards’ defense gets no love from me since they might’ve screwed me over in fantasy, so I for one am glad those losers got eliminated.
Even with the Cardinals eliminated from postseason contention, I expect them to give LA their best efforts early. Hopefully not to the extent that Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. did during the first go-around. Arizona is as inconsistent as they come and I’m anticipating the Rams will defend Murray and the Cardinals’ offense much better in the rematch. Matthew Stafford and Kyren Williams should play well as LA sends their reeling opponent back to the desert with a double-digit loss.
What are your thoughts on this week’s betting odds? Go ahead and drop them in the comments!
