The St. Louis Rams host the Arizona Cardinals on “Thursday Night Football,” with Arizona looking to maintain its lead in the NFC West. The Rams opened as a field goal favorite, but the line has climbed to 4.5 points at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The total is set at 40.5 points.
The Cardinals are 9-4 against the spread this season, and 7-2 in their last nine games. The Rams are 7-6 ATS this season, and 5-1 in their last nine games. The Rams have shut out their last two opponents.
The Cardinals are 5-2 ATS in the last seven games between these two teams, and 7-3 ATS in the last 10 games at St. Louis. The Cardinals beat the Rams 31-14 in their last meeting, which resulted in a Cardinals cover and the OVER.
The total has gone OVER in four of the last six games between these two, but has gone UNDER in four of the last six games in St. Louis. The OddsShark Computer predicts a 24-22 Rams victory. That would provide for the Rams cover and the OVER.
The Cardinals have been banged up all year. They recently placed running back Andre Ellington on injured reserve following sports hernia surgery. Stepfan Taylor replaced him as the starting running back in Week 14 against the Chiefs, but Kerwynn Williams quickly supplanted him. Williams was promoted from the practice squad earlier that week, and finished Sunday with 19 carries for 100 yards. The Cardinals will also be without safety Tyrann Mathieu, who is recovering from thumb surgery.
The St. Louis Rams listed defensive end Chris Long as questionable with an ankle injury, but he is expected to play for the third straight week since coming off short term injured reserve. Other than Long, they are fairly healthy.
The New England Patriots remain favored by eight points over the Miami Dolphins on the Week 15 NFL betting lines. New England has dominated this series, sitting at 11-2 straight up in its last 13 games against Miami. The Patriots have dominated the AFC East at Gillette Stadium, going 25-5 SU in their last 30 divisional home games.
The Patriots are in generally good health, with defensive end Dominique Easley the only notable injury absence from Wednesday practice. He suffered a knee injury that normally results in him being listed as limited in practice. He did not practice on Wednesday.
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