The Arizona Cardinals will take on the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at home, kicking off at 1:05 p.m. Arizona time at State Farm Stadium.
They are actually favored in the game.
Both teams come in at 0-1. The Rams are banged up with several starters on injured reserve. However, the Cardinals have not beaten the Rams at home in a decade and have only two wins over them since Sean McVay became head coach in 2017.
How will this game play out?
Below are our game predictions from the Cards Wire staff.
Jess Root
I believe in the Cardinals team. The Rams are so banged up but will struggle up front with the run game. Kyren Williams was a monster last season against the Cardinals, but I’m giving them a little extra juice for their home opener. Tough, close, physical game. Cardinals 24, Rams 20
Howard Balzer
It’s time. The Cardinals haven’t defeated the Rams at home since 2014 and the Rams were playing in St. Louis then. Additionally, since moving to 7-0 with a home win over the Houston Texans on Oct. 24, 2021, the Cardinals are an astounding 3-19 at home, although 12 of the losses were by one score including seven by a field goal or less. Overall, they are 9-31 overall (9-32 including the playoff loss to the Rams) since being 10-2 in ’21. To win Sunday, it will mean containing running back Kyren Williams, who rushed for 301 yards in the two Rams wins last season, and playing two complete halves of productive offense. Most important is James Conner running the ball well against a team that allowed 60 yards rushing on a 70-yard overtime touchdown drive that won the game for the Lions. Cardinals 24, Rams 20.
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