The Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams meet Sunday in NFL action from SoFi Stadium. Arizona is coming off a game last weekend versus the Bengals. The 1-4 Cardinals would go on to lose that one by two scores. As for the Rams, their last appearance was against Philadelphia. In that matchup Los Angeles fell by nine points to drop to 2-3 overall. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.

Arizona Cardinals 

The Cardinals’ season kicked off with a couple of losses, first 20-16 versus the Commanders in the opener then 31-28 against the Giants in Week 2. Arizona managed an upset win at home against the Cowboys the following week, but then fell back into the loss column 35-16 against the 49ers to kick off October. 

In their matchup versus the Bengals last weekend, the Cardinals were within four points heading into the final quarter. Arizona ended up surrendering 10 unanswered points from there in a 34-20 loss, though. QB Josh Dobbs posted 166 yards with two touchdowns and two picks. Marquise Brown caught a score with 61 yards off four receptions as well.

Arizona Cardinals Team Facts

• The Cardinals have lost each of their last five games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games against NFC West opponents.
• The Cardinals have won the first quarter in each of their last two games as underdogs following a home loss.
• The Cardinals have lost the first half in eight of their last nine games against NFC West opponents.
• The Cardinals have scored the first touchdown in eight of their last 10 Week 6 games.

Los Angeles Rams

Over on the Rams’ side, they went 2-2 over their first four outings this year. Los Angeles lost to the 49ers 30-23 and the Bengals 19-16. Sandwiched around those games were wins over the Seahawks 30-13 and the Colts 29-23 in overtime. In the win over Indianapolis, the Rams’ Kyren Williams rushed 25 times for 103 yards and a pair of scores. 

Back on Sunday versus Philadelphia, the Rams trailed 17-14 after three quarters and couldn’t score from there in a 23-14 loss. QB Matthew Stafford managed 222 yards with two touchdowns, while Williams posted 53 yards off 13 carries. Cooper Kupp was tops among the receivers with his eight catches for 118 yards. 

Los Angeles Rams Team Facts

• The Rams have lost four of their last five October games as favorites against NFC West opponents.
• The Rams have covered the spread in each of their last four games against the Cardinals following a home loss.
• The Rams have lost the first half in three of their last four games as moderate favorites (-3.5 to -7.0 points).
• The Rams have scored the first touchdown in five of their last six games as favorites against NFC West opponents.
• The Rams have lost the first quarter in four of their last five October games as favorites against NFC opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Rams rank 31st in the NFL in average kickoff return (14.7 yards) this season.
• The Rams rank 31st in the NFL in average punt return this season (5.1 yards).
• The Cardinals rank 32nd in the NFL in Q4 points per game this season (1.4).
• The Cardinals rank 31st in the NFL in Q4 opponent points per game this season (10.8).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with the Rams here. There’s not much intrigue involved in this matchup between teams with a combined three wins, however. That said, we should have a decent matchup if both squads play well. LA put up a tepid 249 yards of offense (195 passing) against a good Eagles team in their last matchup and couldn’t do much on defense either. The Rams gave up 454 yards on the other side with 28 first downs and 13-of-18 on third-down conversions. This game will be firmly in the Rams’ wheelhouse though, and the numbers should look much better. 

As for Arizona, they had 294 yards (152 passing) and three turnovers in the loss to the Bengals last weekend. The Cardinals have given up 31 or more points in three of their last four games, so the stage is set for a good offensive performance from the Rams—if LA can bounce back after the rough Week 5 performance, that is.