Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams Prediction, 1/4/2026 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 18

Game: Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams

Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Location: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA

TV: FOX

Odds-Point Spread: Rams (-7.5)

Total-Over-Under: 46.5

The Arizona Cardinals (3-13) are hitting the road to SoFi Stadium on Sunday where they will meet the Los Angeles Rams (11-5). Arizona opens this game as 7.5-point dogs from oddsmakers. The total is set at 46.5.

The Arizona Cardinals step onto the field holding a record of 3-13 on the year. The last time they stepped on the football field, the Cardinals played the Cincinnati Bengals and took a loss by a final of 37-14. Michael Carter was the leader on the ground for the Cardinals with 7 carries for 29 yds (4.1 yards per carry). Trey McBride had an average of 7.6 yds per catch by accumulating 76 yards on 10 receptions. Jacoby Brissett finished 21-37 with 212 yards through the air and 2 TDs. He had a QB rating of 91.3 and ended the contest with no picks. When it came to stopping the run, the Cardinals conceded 120 yards on 35 attempts, which is 3.4 yds per rush surrendered. Arizona gave up 27 completions on 36 tries for a total of 309 yards, and a completion percentage of 75.0%. In all, they ran 50 plays which gave them 233 yards. The Arizona Cardinals ended up running the ball 13 different times and tallied 42 yards, which had them averaging 3.2 yds per attempt.

The Cardinals have notched 5,221 yards for this campaign. Arizona has attained 203 first downs as an offense, and they have committed 109 infractions for 797 total yards. When examining scoring touchdowns, Arizona has amassed 27 touchdowns via the pass and 9 touchdowns via the ground. They have turned the ball over 19 different times (10 interceptions and 9 fumbles). Collectively, they average 94.0 running yds which has them ranking 29th in pro football. When examining scoring, the NFC West members are sitting at 20.9 points per outing.

Regarding yards via the pass, the Cardinals have conceded 3,671 total yards, putting them 24th in pro football. They have conceded 229.4 total yards per game via the pass, and are giving up a completion% of 65.8%. Altogether, they have granted 2,015 yards via the running game in 16 outings on the campaign. They have relinquished 27 touchdowns via the pass, and 19 touchdowns to rushers. Altogether, they are giving up 355.4 yards per outing, giving them a rank of 26th in football. They are giving up an average of 4.4 yards per rush on the ground and 125.9 rush yards per game over the course of this year. The Cardinals currently rank 29th in football if you examine their defensive prowess, surrendering 28.2 PPG.

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The Rams come into this matchup holding a record of 11-5 over the course of this year. The last time they stepped on the gridiron, the Rams took a loss by a score of 27-24 when they played the Atlanta Falcons. Matthew Stafford (2 touchdowns) walked away from the game with 269 yds on 22-38 passing while his QB rating was 64.5. He had 3 picks and his avg yards per attempt was 7.1 yards. Kyren Williams carried the rock 13 times for 92 yds, finishing the game with 7.1 yds per carry for Los Angeles. Colby Parkinson was the leading receiver for the Rams, snagging 6 throws for 53 yards (8.8 yards per catch). Los Angeles ended up running for 5.8 yds per carry, finishing the game with 115 yds on 20 attempts. The Rams finished the game with a total of 363 yds while running 58 plays (6.3 yds per play). The Rams pass defense conceded a completion percentage of 65.0%, surrendering 126 yards on 13 out of 20 through the air. Los Angeles allowed 33 running attempts for 219 yds (6.6 yards per carry).

When talking about the points being put on the board, the Rams are sitting 1st in football, holding an average of 30.1 points per outing. For the year, the Rams have thrown for a total of 4,305 yards through the air and average 269.1 yards through the air per game, ranking this team at 2nd in football. They have an average of 125.6 rushing yards per game, and have rushed for 2,009 total yards. The Los Angeles Rams have an average of 394.6 total yards per game, ranking this team at 2nd in football. The Los Angeles offense has granted 553 yds on 71 penalties, which ranks 32nd in professional football concerning making mistakes. They have thrown 8 INTs while conceding 7 fumbles, and have been able to tally 220 first downs as a team.

The Rams are relinquishing 20.4 PPG, giving them a rank of 8th in pro football. They have conceded 24 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 215.4 passing yards per game, which has them ranked 17th in pro football. Los Angeles has granted a total of 1,805 rushing yds (112.8 yds per game), along with 8 touchdowns to runners over the course of this year. The Rams defense has taken part in 1,019 plays from the line of scrimmage, which ranks 27th in the league. The defense has notched 24 takeaways (9 fumbles forced and 15 interceptions) on the year. In total, they have allowed 326 points.

Who will win tonight's Cardinals-Rams NFL game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Cardinals +7.5

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