Fansided

NFL Week 4: Five best bets

By Jeff Glauser

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) reacts after making a sack in the fourth quarter. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) reacts after making a sack in the fourth quarter. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 07, 2007 - St. Louis, MO, USA - The Arizona Cardinals KARLOS DANSBY against the St. Louis Rams TORRY HOLT at the Edward Jones Dome. The Cardinals won 34-31 in the NFC West matchup. (Photo by Albert Dickson/Sporting News via Getty Images)
Oct 07, 2007 – St. Louis, MO, USA – The Arizona Cardinals KARLOS DANSBY against the St. Louis Rams TORRY HOLT at the Edward Jones Dome. The Cardinals won 34-31 in the NFC West matchup. (Photo by Albert Dickson/Sporting News via Getty Images) /

Arizona Cardinals (-7.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams

FiftyFourPercent:

Call this the Get Mad and Destroy Theory. Bruce Arians and his Cardinals should be steaming after being embarrassed at Buffalo this past Sunday. This may have been their worst effort since Arians took over in 2013. He’s not going to stand for it. Now the Cardinals return home where they can take out their frustrations on the Rams with their pop-gun offense.

The Rams have only two areas of strength: the running of Todd Gurley and a defensive line that can pressure the quarterback. The Cardinals will key on Gurley knowing Case Keenum can’t beat them. Until facing the still-maturing Buccaneers this past Sunday, the Rams had a combined 22 offensive possession in their games against the 49ers and Seahawks. In those contests, the Rams punted 16 times, had three field goals and three turnovers.

The Cardinals have a strong history of getting the job done against bad teams, covering 19 of the past 27 times (70 percent) versus below .500 opponents. The Rams’ pass rushers could wilt in the desert heat especially following a long ride home after playing last week in Florida humidity. Look for the Cardinals to take what the Rams give them, which will be the middle of the field since conservative Jeff Fisher will be guarding against the deep ball with zone coverages. The Cardinals buried the Rams at home by 24 points last year. The set-up is right for them to do it again.

Glauser:

It is quite possible that these two teams had a Freaky Friday situation occur last Sunday and switched bodies. On paper, neither should be in the position that they’re at this point. But the reality is that it really will take a movie plot straight out of a Disney production for these Hollywood transplants to keep it going. Remember: The Rams quarterback is Keenum (for now), their top receiver is Kenny Britt and their top running back (Gurley, the one who was actually supposed to do well), is averaging less than three yards per carry. (Continued) Good luck with that.

Meanwhile, this truly is a statement game for Arizona. They’ve been knocking at the door of Super Bowl contention for a couple years now and not getting any younger. The Bills loss was embarrassing, and Arians is too good a coach to allow that to happen again. Even a close victory may offer doubts into how legitimate the Cardinals really are.

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