Rams vs. Cardinals Point Spread: NFL Week 3 Odds, Prediction
The Cardinals erased an early 20-0 to claim the victory over the Raiders, but have work to do to snap a six-game straight up losing streak on home turf. The Rams were lucky to escape with a 31-27 win over the visiting Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, but ride a five-game win streak on the road into Sunday’s contest.
The Rams have faded to 3.5-point favourites since opening at -4.5 despite commanding 70% of the betting action. The total has been in steady decline since opening at 51.5, dipping to its current position at 48.5, with 88% of sports bettors backing the UNDER.
NFL Week 3 Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at State Farm Stadium marks the first meeting of the season between these NFC West division rivals. The Rams swept the season series with Arizona in 2021, and have claimed outright wins in 10 of 12 clashes since the start of the 2017 season. Los Angeles has largely outclassed the Cardinals over this stretch, claiming victory by an average margin of 19 points in their 10 recent wins, fueling a steady 10-1-1 run against the spread. There has been shortage of scoring when these teams meet. The total has topped 50 four times over their past six matchups, powering a 4-2-0 run for the OVER in totals betting.
The Cards have also struggled to contain opposing offenses in the early going this season. The squad surrendered 64 total points through their first six quarters of action before shutting the Raiders down in the second half of last week’s win.
After getting blown out 31-10 by Buffalo on opening night, the Rams almost let a 25-point second-half lead slip away with sloppy play in last week’s date with Atlanta, and now enter Week 3 ranked 27th in the NFL in points allowed.
Los Angeles Rams
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has tossed for four touchdowns this season including three scores in last week’s win over Atlanta. However, Stafford is also well on his way to once again leading the league in interceptions after tossing five total picks over the first two weeks of the season. Stafford has maintained his impressive chemistry with Cooper Kupp, connecting with his favourite downfield target for three touchdowns and 236 total yards. However, receiver Van Jefferson has yet to see action this season due to a knee injury. Jefferson ranked second on the squad last season with 802 receiving yards and six scoring catches, and racked up 158 total yards and two scores in two appearances against Arizona.
Arizona Cardinals
Following a dismal performance in their 44-21 season-opening loss to Kansas City, the Cardinals had nowhere to go but up last weekend. Indeed, it appeared Arizona was well on its way to a 0-2 start until Kyler Murray finally roused from his slumber to lead the Cards on a trio of late scoring drives to force overtime in Las Vegas. That turnaround was welcome considering the miserable day the Arizona pivot had in Week 1. Apart from an impressive scoring drive in the first half, Murray was largely invisible until orchestrating a pair of scoring drives in garbage time. And his shaky performance before recess last week, when he compiled just 56 passing yards have left observers wondering which version of the Cardinals $230 million man will show up on Sunday. Injuries to rusher James Conner, receiver Rondale Moore, and the continued absence of suspended wideout DeAndre Hopkins have not helped matters. Nor does Murray’s recent track record against the Rams. Murray has tossed just two touchdown passes against four picks while averaging just 218 yards per game over his past four versus LA.
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