Who are the announcers and referees for the Cardinals vs. the Rams today?

While not a winner-take-all contest, the NFL cleverly managed to flex the Arizona Cardinals (7-8) versus the LA Rams (9-6) Week 17 matchup to a prime time slot on Saturday, December 28, 2024. The game does not allow the Rams to lock in an NFL Playoffs slot directly. But a Rams win can act as the catalyst to a series of NFL games that impact the playoff picture via the Strength of Victory tie-breaker.

The Seattle Seahawks (9-7) win over the Chicago Bears (4-12) has afforded them the chance to claim the NFC Western Division with a win over the Rams in Week 18. However, if the Rams win in Week 17, the Rams can lock in a playoff spot because the team will have 10 wins. The Rams will then need victories from multiple NFL teams in Week 17 to ensure that they will win the SOV tiebreaker over the Seahawks if the team loses to Seattle in Week 18. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport explains how that all works:

Imagine the Rams needing help from the San Francisco 49ers to claim a playoff spot? More than a few Rams fans are torn by that internal conflict. Of course, the Rams have to win in Week 17 to trigger any SOV tiebreaker scenario, and that is no certainty.

The Rams have several enhancements to the starting lineup since the last time these two teams have met. The offense has restored TE Tyler Higbee, LT Alaric Jackson, and WR Puka Nacua to the lineup, all of whom are productive starters. The defense has begun to show up with the insertion of rookie ILB Omar Speights, DBs Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams, and the emergence of safeties Kamren Curl, Kamren Kinchens, and Quentin Lake.

The Rams are not playing in the desert heat, but are playing at SoFi Stadium instead. The Cardinals are the team on the road, and they have only won two of seven games with suitcases in hand. Because they have been eliminated, the Cardinals are playing for pride. If they win, they merely fall in the order of the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.

But this is a rivalry game. Don't look for the Cardinals to roll over and play dead.

Announcers for Cardinals vs Rams

• Lead Play-by-Play Announcer: Rich Eisen
• Color Commentator:  Kurt Warner
• Sideline Reporters: Jamie Erdahl
• Sports Channel: NFL Network

The NFL Network is getting plenty of work in Week 17. The NFL has opted to market a trio of Saturday games this week, a day that seldom has NFL games scheduled. As such, the network has assembled a broadcast crew that should please LA Rams fans. The broadcast crew includes veteran NFL host Rich Eisen. The color commentator is former Rams legendary quarterback Kurt Warner, who also had a very successful chapter with the Arizona Cardinals.

Referees for Cardinals vs. Rams

Head Referee: Brad Rogers

The Head Referee in this game is Brad Rogers, a veteran of 6 years of NFL officiating. Rogers's crew has been getting plenty of work this season, including a Week 4 game that found the LA Rams on the road to take on the Chicago Bears. The Rams lost that game by a score of 24-18.

• Referee: Brad Rogers
• Umpire: Bryan Neal
• Down Judge: Kent Payne
• Line Judge: Kevin Codey
• Field Judge: Joe Blubaugh
• Side Judge: Anthony Jeffries
• Back Judge: Greg Yette
• Replay Official: Roddy Ames
• Replay Assistant: Artenzia Young-Siegler

Per Pro Football Focus, Brad Rogers's crew is a bit heavy handed when it comes to calling penalties. Rogers and company average 13.64 penalties per game, accounting for 111.00 penalty yards. The league average in 2024 is 12.95 penalties per game, walking off 105.64 penalty yards. That seemed to be the case in the Week 4 game called by Rogers. In that game, the Rams were flagged for six penalties and 44 yards. The Chicago Bears were flagged for10 penalties for 84 yards in that game. Hopefully the Rams can play a disciplined game that avoids too much action form the NFL officials.

Arizona Cardinals vs. LA Rams, game time details:

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm PT
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Channel: NFL Network

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