Rams open as big favorites vs. undefeated Cardinals in Week 4

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Rams open as big favorites vs. undefeated Cardinals in Week 4

Cameron DaSilva
September 27, 2021 9:39 am PT
When you beat the defending Super Bowl champions the way the Los Angeles Rams did on Sunday afternoon, you’re going to get some respect from the oddsmakers. And that’s exactly what’s happening with the Arizona Cardinals on deck in Week 4.


According to Tipico Sportsbook, the Rams opened as 6.5-point favorites over the Cardinals, who are also 3-0. The Rams are -260 on the money line, meaning a $260 bet would return a profit of $100. The over/under is set at 54.5, tied for the highest of any Week 4 game so far.

This is the third time in four weeks the Rams have been favored against their opponent, with Sunday’s game against the Bucs being the exception. Los Angeles was a 1.5-point underdog in that one, easily covering the spread with a 34-24 victory at home.

Sean McVay has never lost to the Cardinals in four years as the Rams’ head coach, winning eight straight against Arizona. Los Angeles has outscored the Cardinals 251-91 in that span, an average margin of victory of 31-11.

The Rams have scored at least 30 points in seven of their last eight games against the Cardinals and only one of their wins has been by fewer than 10 points. This is all to say Los Angeles has owned Arizona since Sean McVay took over.

But the Cardinals look better than they have in recent years, leading the league in scoring, ranking third in yards and allowing the 11th-fewest points and yards in the NFL. Kyler Murray is tied with Matthew Stafford as the favorite to win MVP, throwing for 1,005 yards and seven touchdowns with another 70 yards and three touchdowns rushing.

All three of the Rams’ wins so far this season have been against playoff teams from 2020 and this will be their second straight week facing an undefeated team.