NFL Game Of The Week: Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals

The 8-4 Rams will travel to the desert for a Monday night matchup against a 10-2 Cardinals team that has managed to hang tough despite injuries to J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins and Kyler Murray at different points this season. The Cardinals can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a tie and beat the Rams 37-20 when the two teams met earlier this season.  

Los Angeles lost three in a row in November, then took their frustrations out on the Jacksonville last Sunday, beating the Jags 37-7. Matthew Stafford, who tossed four interceptions during a two-game stretch that saw the Rams drop games to the Titans and 49ers, threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns, while Sony Michel racked up 121 yards on the ground in the win. Stafford has completed 292 of 438 passes for 3,611 yards and 30 touchdowns this seasons. His 30 touchdowns put him at second in the league, and his 3,611 passing yards are third. 

Stafford is surrounded by receiving talent. Cooper Kupp (100 REC, 1,366 YDS, 11 TDS) leads the team and the league in touchdown catches and receiving yards. Van Jefferson (39 REC, 621 YDS, 5 TDS) and Tyler Higbee (44 REC, 395 YDS, 3 TDS) are also potent options. Newly acquired Odell Beckham Jr. (9 REC, 127 YDS, 2 TDS) is slowly becoming a bigger part of the offense. 

Darrell Henderson Jr. (142 ATT, 642 YDS, 5 TDS) and Sony Michel (103 ATT, 426 YDS, 2 TDS) have split the load at running back for a Rams rush that is averaging 97.9 yards per game on the ground (24th). Michel's 121 yard game against Jacksonville was the first 100-yard rushing performance by a Rams back this season. The Rams are clearly more of a pass-oriented offense, but both Henderson and Michel are making the most of their opportunities, with each averaging over four yards per carry. 

Safety Jordan Fuller's 90 tackles (51 solo) lead the Rams defense, while cornerback Jalen Ramsey's three picks are tops on the team. The Rams are seventh in the league in yards allowed on the ground (100.4), 16th in passing yards allowed (238.3) and 17th in points allowed (22.5). They'll have their hands full against a Cardinals offense that is tenth in the league in total yards per game (368.8). 

Arizona's Kyler Murray has completed 197 of 271 passes for 2,399 yards and 19 touchdowns with seven interceptions, leading a passing attack that is averaging 244.6 yards per game through the air (11th). Christian Kirk (50 REC, 632 YDS, 4 TDS) leads the team in receiving yards, while DeAndre Hopkins (37 REC, 518 YDS, 8 TDS) leads the team in touchdowns catches. Hopkins, who missed all of November with hamstring issues, recorded just two catches on two targets in his first game back on 12/2 against Chicago. He has yet to record more than 100 yards receiving in a game this season, but remains a threat and should see more than two targets Monday as the Cardinals work him back into the offense. 

Running back James Conner (166 ATT, 630 YDS, 12 TDS) leads the Cardinals in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Chase Edmonds (76 ATT, 430 YDS, 1 TD) has also helped balance an Arizona rushing attack that is averaging 124.2 yards per game on the ground. Kyler Murray, though he has become more of a pocket passer this season, is always dangerous on the ground. The third-year quarterback has rushed for 206 yards and five touchdowns this season. 

Linebacker Jordan Hicks' 95 tackles (62 solo) leads the Arizona defense. The Cardinals are giving up 133.7 yards per game on the ground (18th) and 205.1 yards per game through the air (5th). Cornerback Bryan Murphy Jr's four picks lead a Cardinals defense that is tied for seventh in the league with 12 interceptions on the season. The Cardinals 32 sacks are tied for sixth. Los Angeles is tied for second-fewest sacks allowed (18), but look for Arizona's pass rush to be aggressive and try everything they can to disrupt Matthew Stafford. Linebacker Chandler Jones' 8.5 sacks lead the team. 

Prediction 

These are two talented teams that are evenly matched, but the edge goes to Arizona, who enters Monday's game with a better defense and a more balanced rushing attack. 

Cardinals 28-Rams 20. 




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