Rams vs. Cardinals Monday NFL injury report, spread, odds: Chase Edmonds game-time call as Arizona can became first team to clinch playoff berth
The Arizona Cardinals haven't been to the playoffs since 2015 but would clinch a playoff spot Monday night with a win over the visiting Los Angeles Rams, becoming the first in the NFL to clinch one. While a victory wouldn't yet lock up the NFC West title, for all intents and purposes it would as it would lower Arizona's magic number for the division to one with four games remaining. The Cards are 2.5-point favorites at Caesars Sportsbook. Click here for model picks.Â
If Arizona wins out, it would be the NFC's top seed, but it would lose a potential head-to-head tiebreaker with Green Bay. Tampa Bay is the other team vying for a top seed; the Bucs and Cardinals don't play in the regular season.
Rams running back Darrell Henderson was iffy to play with a thigh injury but that's a moot point now as he has landed on the COVID list. Right tackle Rob Havenstein and reserve cornerback Haven stein Dont'e Deayon landed on that list Sunday so they are out, too. Center Brian Allen is doubtful due to injury – Coleman Shelton is his backup.
For Arizona, running back Chase Edmonds and left guard Justin Pugh will be game-time decisions. Edmonds has not played since Nov. 7 and is second on the team with 430 yards rushing. He also has caught 30 passes for 211 yards.
Caesars lists Rams wideout Cooper Kupp at Over/Under 90.5 receiving yards – he leads the NFL in catches (100), yards (1,366) and TD catches (11). Kupp is the first player ever with at least 100 receptions and 10-or-more touchdown receptions in his team's first 12 games of a season and has had at least 90 yards receiving in eight straight games. If he gets 90 again Monday, Kupp will become the third player to eclipse 90 receiving yards in nine consecutive games in the Super Bowl era, joining Odell Beckham Jr. (nine games in 2014) and Michael Irvin (nine in 1995).
When the Rams lost at home to Arizona 37-20 in Week 4, Kupp had five catches for 64 yards and no scores. Matthew Stafford threw TD passes to Van Jefferson and Robert Woods (now out for the season). Henderson rushed for 89 yards. Edmonds had 12 carries for 120 yards for the Cards. James Conner rushed for two TDs and Kyler Murray threw for two.
With 122 passing yards on Monday, Stafford will surpass Dan Marino (48,841) for the fourth-most passing yards by a player in his first 13 seasons in NFL history. Stafford is given an Over/Under of 280.5 passing yards.
The Rams had been 8-0 straight up (7-0-1 ATS) against the Cardinals under Sean McVay before the Week 4 loss. Monday is the first time the Cardinals are favored in the series since 2016.Â
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