NFL Best Bets for MNF: Cardinals-Rams

Well, we are officially up 19.5u after we’ve hit three consecutive first TD scorers. On top of that, we swept the three plays we had in the NFL article for Sunday. It won’t always be this profitable, but let’s enjoy it while it is. Let’s see what we can do tonight for Monday Night Football.

The Rams travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. In the first matchup of these two, Arizona beat the Rams by 17 points in Los Angeles. Since then the Rams have been very streaky – they won four games in a row against opponents that are not exactly quality teams (Giants, Seahawks, Texans, and Lions). Then they lost three straight games, those three were against potential playoff teams (Titans, 49ers, Packers). The Rams should make the playoffs, and maybe they aren’t concerned about the seeding, but it feels like they are just trying to figure things out rather than win games.

The Cardinals are the #1 seed in the NFC right now, which is pretty surprising. Reviewing their schedule, it doesn’t seem like they have played many opponents that would put up a big fight. They lost to the Panthers which doesn’t make much sense until you realize that Colt McCoy was the quarterback. They lost to the Packers on a game they could’ve won. They will have three games in their final five that might give them a bit of a challenge. Tonight is one of them.

The spread on this game is just -2 at -114. I will take that side. I think the Rams are overvalued right now and are certainly not playing their best football. The Cardinals already proved they can come into a game and dominate the Rams. Maybe this is a situation where the Rams will be seeking revenge. I just personally don’t see it happening. Matthew Stafford has looked just as frustrating in the last few games as he did in Detroit. Kyler Murray is back and looked decent in his return last week. I have to imagine if he played better last week, this spread would be higher. I’ll still play the Cardinals to lay the points.

One guy that has been very good and consistent is Cooper Kupp. He has been outstanding this season and continues to rack up yardage. However, his worst game of the season came against the Cardinals. He hauled in just five of 13 targets for 64 yards. Over half of those yards came on one reception. Today his yardage total is posted at 93.5. I’m going to take his under on this one at -110. Stafford feeds him the ball as much as possible, but I think the Cardinals will have a game plan to try and keep him from being the one that beats them.

I know everyone is looking for the first touchdown scorer… so here is my best guess. It is Zach Ertz at +1100. I could see Van Jefferson doing it for the Rams because the Cardinals give up a lot of receiving touchdowns, but I am playing Ertz.