It is not shocking that the Cardinals (1-4) have struggled to start the season, but it is a surprise that the Rams (2-3) are below .500 through five games. The 2026 campaign will get better for one of them as a result of their game this Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
Under first-year Head Coach Mike LaFleur, the Cardinals take the field following a rough 45-21 home loss to the Detroit Lions. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett produced one of his better performances of the season, completing 29 of 47 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Trey McBride continued to be Brissett’s most reliable target with nine catches for 66 yards and a score. Arizona’s offense though was it was one-dimensional. They could not establish any semblance of a running game against the Lions. In addition, they were overwhelmed defensively by Detroit’s offense. Those woes on defense have been a consistent theme this season. Arizona has allowed 162 points through five games (32.4PPG). No team in the NFL has allowed more points than the Cards.
The Rams own the NFL’s top-ranked offense in yards per game at 424.4. The numbers make this week’s game against Arizona look like a get right spot for the preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl. As noted, Sean McVay’s club has moved the ball consistently, but they have had issues turning long drives into points. They have scored a pedestrian 119 points this season through five games.
The biggest storylines Sunday thus center on whether Arizona’s defense can slow Stafford and whether the Rams can turn yards gained into points. For the Rams, this game feels close to a must-win if they want to remain within striking distance of first-place San Francisco in the NFC West.
Let’s dive into the numbers and see if we can’t find an additional sweat or two.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Cardinals vs. Rams
- Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Time: 4:05P
- Site: SoFi Stadium
- City: Inglewood, CA
- TV/Streaming: FOX
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Latest Game Odd: Cardinals vs. Rams
The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:
- Moneyline: Arizona Cardinals (+600), Los Angeles Rams (-900)
- Spread: Rams -12.5
- Total: 51.5
The Spread has dropped a point as some early money has come in on the Cardinals. Following Monday Night’s offensive extravaganza, the Total has moved substantially off its opening number of 46.5.
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Rotoworld Bet Best Bets
Expert Picks & Predictions: Cardinals vs. Rams
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NFL calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, betting trends, and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Sunday’s game between the Cardinals and the Rams:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports is staying away from a play on the Spread.
- Total: NBC Sports is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 51.5.
Here’s why the Game Total OVER 51.5 is the Best Bet:
Arizona ranks 32nd in points allowed (32.4 per game), 32nd in touchdown percentage allowed (6.87%), 32nd in yards per pass attempt allowed (9.64), and 31st in yards per play allowed (6.78). The Rams rank first in total yards (443.2 per game), second in passing yards (326.4 per game), and seventh in yards per play (6.26). Both teams have gone over in each of their last three games this season, and four of the last five meetings between these clubs have gone over. This is a game featuring the worst defense in football, an explosive Rams’ offense, and a Cardinals’ team that keeps scoring late. It has all the makings of a high-scoring, lopsided shootout.
Cardinals vs. Rams: Betting Trends and Stats
- The Cardinals are 2-3 against the spread this season
- The Rams are 2-3 against the spread this season
- Arizona is 3-2 to the OVER this season
- Los Angeles is 3-2 to the OVER this season
Quarterback Matchup: Cardinals vs. Rams
- Cardinals: Jacoby Brissett
2026 Statistics: 5GP, 1110 Passing Yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs, 85.2 RTG, Sacked 12 times - Rams: Matthew Stafford
2026 Statistics: 5GP, 1572 Passing Yards, 9 TDs, 6 INTs, 88.3 RTG, Sacked 7 times
Cardinals vs. Rams: Top Playmakers
Cardinals
- RB Jeremiyah Love
2026 Statistics: 5GP, 67 carries for 245 Yds, 1 TD / 11 receptions on 15 targets for 36 Yds, 1 TD - TE Trey McBride
2026 Statistics: 5GP, 42 receptions on 55 targets for 308 Yds, 3 TDs - WR Michael Wilson
2026 Statistics: 5GP, 29 receptions on 51 targets for 288 Yds, 1 TD
Rams
- RB Kyren Williams
2026 Statistics: 5GP, 70 carries for 343 Yds, 4 TDs / 27 receptions on 33 targets for 200 Yds, 1 TD - WR DaVante Adams
2026 Statistics: 5GP, 27 receptions on 45 targets for 441 Yds, 4 TDs - WR Puka Nacua
2026 Statistics: 3GP, 31 receptions on 45 targets for 337 Yds, 1 TD
Cardinals vs. Rams: Injury Update
Cardinals
- S Andrew Wingard (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- S Wydett Williams Jr. (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- OG Isaiah Adams (ankle) has been placed on the IR and is OUT for Sunday’s game
Rams
- LT Alaric Jackson (suspended) is OUT for Sunday’s game
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