Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams picks, predictions: Who wins NFL playoff game?

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic
·4 min read
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The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams play Monday in an NFL wild-card playoff game.

Which team will get the victory?

Check out these NFL playoff picks and predictions for the game, which can be seen at 6:15 p.m. MST on ABC/ESPN.

The Rams are a 3.5-point favorite in the game.

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NFL playoff picks:

Pro Football Network: Cardinals 30, Rams 27

Ben Rolfe writes: "Divisional rematches in the playoffs can elicit the eye roll from other fan bases, but this year the NFL might have landed two that are genuinely exciting. While the Bills and Patriots should be an arm wrestle, this one could be a track meet. The two matchups between these teams have yielded a combined 110 points, and there’s no reason to think this won’t be equally as thrilling. Both teams are coming in off a loss, and their defenses were — for the most part — victimized in Week 18. This should be an offensive blitzkrieg that comes down to which QB makes the fewer mistakes. Both Kyler Murray and Matthew Stafford have been prone to mistakes this season, so all eyes will be on them. In this type of matchup, give me the underdog, especially if they are getting more than 3 points in an essentially neutral-site game."

Fox Sports: Rams will defeat Cardinals

Geoff Schwartz writes: "I’d rather pick no team to win this game, but the answer is the Rams. They are better coached and have more game-wreckers. Cooper Kupp can’t be stopped. Aaron Donald, Von Miller and Jalen Ramsey can take over games. Give me the Rams by a touchdown."

NFL playoff odds:

College Football News: Rams 26, Cardinals 23

Pete Fiutak writes: "Yeah, good luck trying to figure out the flakiest of the two flaky-great teams in this tournament. It was Arizona’s world in a 7-0 start, but it couldn’t figure out how to win home games – it beat the Rams on the road in Week 4 and lost in Glendale in Week 13. It closed losing four of its last five. The Rams were rolling with five straight wins, but they gagged away a halftime lead for the first time in the Sean McVay era in the overtime loss to San Francisco with the high-powered offense inexplicably stalling. That loss might be a plus, though – the LA defense is going to be plenty ticked after the way the 49er game ended."

Will the Arizona Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL playoffs on Monday?
Will the Arizona Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL playoffs on Monday?

Bleacher Report: Rams 28, Cardinals 24

Maurice Moton writes: "Despite Stafford's mistakes, the Rams can outscore the Cardinals. Arizona averaged 20.8 points per game between Weeks 15 and 18 without wideout DeAndre Hopkins, who's on injured reserve with a torn MCL. The Rams will win this contest, but they'll give the Cardinals a few chances to steal another game on the road with some careless giveaways in the passing game. Los Angeles squeaks one out at home."

Fansided: Rams 26, Cardinals 24

Gil Alcaraz IV writes: "This will come down to whether or Matthew Stafford can take care of the football. He’s become a bit of a turnover machine as of late — in the last three games, he’s thrown seven interceptions. The Cardinals have excelled on the road this season, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to outscore a Rams offense that still produces even with Stafford’s lack of ball security. Ultimately, I believe this comes down to defense. Even if DeAndre Hopkins returns for the Cardinals, the Los Angeles defense relies on top playmakers like Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey to get the job done. A late stop allows the Rams to move to the next round."

NFL playoff TV information:

Five Thirty Eight: Rams have a 70% win probability

The site gives the Cardinals a 30% win probability in the NFL playoff game.

ESPN: Rams have a 58% chance to win

The site's Football Power Index gives the Cardinals a 42% chance to win in the NFL playoff game.

More: NFL playoff power rankings: Are Arizona Cardinals a serious Super Bowl threat?

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams picks, predictions NFL playoffs