Rams Game Sunday: Cards vs. Rams odds and prediction for NFL Week 4

The LA Rams are 3-0 and are once more facing an undefeated opponent that has no problem putting points on the scoreboard. Where their Week 3 opponent was the defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their Week 4 opponent, the NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals, could be an even more crucial game.

Divisional opponents are the most important games because of the way that the NFL Playoffs formula works. Division Rivals earn a playoff berth automatically. After that, the three best remaining teams from the NFC and AFC Conferences claim the remaining spots, ordered by a series of complex tie-breakers.

Because the Arizona Cardinals are both an NFC team and an NFC West rival, the two games that the Rams play against them carry tremendous weight in the quest to win their division and a playoff spot. Of course, the Cardinals are equally incentivized to win as well.

The LA Rams have an eight-game winning streak against the Arizona Cardinals and have not lost to them since hiring head coach Sean McVay. It was this that motivated the Cardinals to sign even more premier free agents in the off-season. Arizona signed wide receiver A.J. Green and defensive end J.J. Watt to help this team on both sides of the football.

Of course, the LA Rams did a few renovations of their own, trading for QB Matthew Stafford and RB Sony Michel, and signing WR DeSean Jackson.

The Cardinals have a productive offense, but the LA Rams are nearly equal at putting points on the scoreboard. The Cardinals have a solid stable of receivers, but they also get more out of their running game than the Rams, an understandable result of going with a mobile quarterback. Despite Murray’s ability to throw the football, he has put up seven touchdowns to four interceptions. The Rams pass rush should be able to get to him and perhaps increase the interceptions to five, six, or even seven on the year?

When the Rams have the ball, the Cardinals have shown an ability to play solid pass defense, thanks in no small part to their own pass rush. The Cards have ten sacks on the year, buoyed by their Week 1 six-sack performance. But their secondary appears susceptible to secondary receivers. In short, the LA Rams could get a lot of yards by throwing to Robert Woods, DeSean Jackson, Van Jefferson, and even Tyler Higbee in this one.

The Cardinals’ defense was built to stop the pass, and therefore are giving up over 140 yards per game. In contrast, the LA Rams defense is averaging just 92.7 yards per game. This could be the game for a 100-yard outburst from an LA Rams running back, particularly if the Rams get an early lead. I love the upside of Sony Michel in this one.

Cardinals vs. Rams Odds, Spread, Over/Under & Betting Pick Week 4

Odds are courtesy of WynnBET (but are subject to change quickly)

Point Spread

• Cardinals +5.0 (-115)
• Rams -5.0 (-105)

Money Line

• Cardinals +185
• Rams -235

Over/Under  54.5 points

• Over -110
• Under -110

Recommended Bets:

Take the Rams at -5.0 (-105)
Take the Rams on the Moneyline (-235) to win outright
Take the Under of 54.5 (-110) in this one

The Moneyline for this one is already in rapid motion, as the oddsmakers have the LA Rams from the opening of -250 down to -235. In contrast, the Cardinals have dropped from +200 to the current +185.  To bet the Moneyline, you are picking a team to win straight up. If you believe the Rams will win, you must bet $235 to win $100. If you believe the Cards win this one, you need to bet just $100 to win a purse of $185.

The total for the game is set at an over/under of 54.5 points at -115. To bet the over or under in this one, you need to bet $110 to win $100. If you like the under at -110, you need to bet $110 to win $100.

Cardinals vs. Rams Prediction Week 4

The LA Rams are now 3-0 and really do not get a break this week. In fact, they don’t really see the light at the end of the tunnel until they take a grueling trip to the East Coast to take on the New York Giants in Week 6 (if that is even a break).

Clearly, oddsmakers are backing down on the lovefest over the LA Rams, and perhaps for good reason. The Rams put up an impressive win in Week 3 and did so with a total team effort. But the question now is, can the Rams handle success? After all, the LA Rams have been fighting to shed the questions of how well can they play.

Now the question is can the Rams sustain this high level of play for an entire season? Or even more importantly, can they win the following week?

I like the under in this one. After taking the over in Week 3, the final score would have fallen short if not for a late garbage touchdown by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.  I don’t see Cardinals quarterback Kyle Murray leading that offense to a late touchdown if the Rams shut him down. The LA Rams defense is completely underestimated. They keep getting better and I think this is their breakout game.

In terms of the Rams offense in this contest, I love the potential of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford in this offense. He’s shown that he can connect to Cooper Kupp and to DeSean Jackson now.  He will find a new favorite receiver against the Cardinals. I suspect that Robert Woods could emerge as the shining star.

Don’t rule out Sony Michel. The Cardinals are going to be so focused on stopping that deep pass that the running lanes could be wide open. Michel doesn’t juke, he just runs ahead. In this one, the LA Rams could put up 150+ rushing yards, control the clock, and give their defense a nice break for a chance.

Our recommendations:
Take the Rams at -5.0 (-105)
Take the Rams on the Moneyline (-235) to win outright
Take the Under of 54.5 (-110) in this one

Want to make a wager on this Week 4 matchup? Make your pick now on WynnBET.