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Cardinals at Rams: Game preview, odds, prediction

By Russell S. Baxter

Dec 24, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals surprised the host Seattle Seahawks last week. Can they end the season on a high note with a win over the Los Angeles Rams?

It’s the season finale for a pair of franchises that used to call the Gateway City home. And both teams will be home for the postseason.

Back in Week 4 at Arizona, the then-hot Los Angeles Rams came away with a 17-13 victory. It was the team’s third straight victory after a 28-0 opening-night loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Keep in mind that this is a franchise that hasn’t had a winning season since 2003 and hasn’t been to the postseason since ’04. With early wins over the Cards and Seahawks much-maligned head coach Jeff Fisher and his club were showing signs of progress.

Unfortunately, the Rams have won just once in the last 11 outings and are currently riding a six-game losing streak. The often-criticized Fisher is now currently unemployed and the Rams will be miss the postseason for the 12th consecutive year.

Odds

Line: Cardinals (-6)

Over/Under: 41

Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals have fallen hard after coming within one game of the Super Bowl in 2015. Bruce Arians’ club have won less than half as many games (6) than they did a year ago (13). But quarterback Carson Palmer has had a subpar year and the Arizona special teams have been dreadful. One bright spot has been second-year running back David Johnson, who leads the NFL in total yards from scrimmage (2,074) as well as total touchdowns (20).

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It has been a disappointing year for the 2015 NFC West champions and an even worse year for the Rams, who are looking like the worst team in the league these days. The Cardinals have been incredibly erratic this season, as evidenced by a home loss to the Saints followed by a road win at Seattle. But Arizona’s running game led by David Johnson will eventually prove to be too much for a Los Angeles team that can’t keep its own offense on the field. You get the sense that the Rams are getting ready to go out with a whimper rather than a bang.

Pick: Cardinals 22, Rams 14

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