Pinnacle -103 BET365 -105 SportsInteraction -105 5DIMES -104 Bookmaker -105

Posted at 11:30 AM EST. 

L.A. RAMS -103 over Arizona

4:25 PM EST. Losing to the 49ers last week in a must win game put a major dent in their playoff hopes and now the Cardinals are the No. 8 seed for a playoff that only uses seven. They have to hope that the Packers beat the Bears (very possible) and they win here - (kind of possible) - in order for them to sneak into the playoffs. They catch a break with the Rams suddenly hard hit by injuries but the Cardinals saw their own quarterback leave the game last week. It is pretty simple, the Cardinals either win here and have an outside chance, or they lose and go home.

The Rams are 9-6 and currently the No. 6 seed. A Ram's loss here coupled by wins by the Bears and Cardinals have a chance to keep them out of the playoffs. Losing their quarterback and top two running backs won't make this any easier but by the same token, the Cardinals defense has no idea what to prepare to face. They say defense wins championships. It will have to win this game unless the backup quarterback surprises.

Now what? The line opened with the Rams being as much as a -4 point favorite while some joints had it off the board up until Wednesday or Thursday. Did we not see a similar scenario with Texas against Colorado in the Cheez Bowl? Texas opened as high as -13 and was hammered down by an efficient market before the Buffs lost by 32 points. Now we’re supposed to trust the Cardinals after being schooled by the 49ers? Look, we understand that the Cardinals stock has dropped significantly but the market is largely ignoring that and focusing on the Rams losing their starting QB among other key personnel.

He's never played a snap in the NFL, but quarterback John Wolford will be depended on to lead the Rams to a playoff berth after starter Jared Goff underwent surgery on his right thumb and will be sidelined at least a week. The Rams need the mobile 6-foot-1, 200-pound Wolford to step up in his first NFL appearance. The wagering public isn’t likely to trust Wolford but we will for several reasons. One, Jared Goff is replaceable, very replaceable.

Before the season, Wolford expressed confidence about his ability to run McVay's offense. "It's something I've prepped for my entire life," said Wolford, who turned 25 in October. "I've played a lot of football between college and the AAF, and this is kind of the next step and I'm ready to go.

After Wolford went undrafted from Wake Forest -- where he started four seasons and passed for 8,794 yards and 59 touchdowns, the second-most in school history, and also rushed for 19 scores while winning the Belk Bowl MVP as a senior in 2017 -- the Jets wanted to sign him. Wolford's stint in New York lasted 10 days, included three practices and extended playing time in a preseason finale, before he was unceremoniously let go. Nearly three months later, Wolford began to earn the Rams' attention when he lit up the Alliance of American Football (AAF) with the Arizona Hotshots, passing for 1,617 yards and a league-high 14 touchdowns in eight games and twice earned offensive player of the week honors.

We have no idea how Wofford will do but this kid has thrived whenever given an opportunity and we wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he never looks back. More importantly, the value is with L.A., as the efficient market has spoken once again.

-------------------------------------------------

A cheaper and better alternative to CABLE

TV Programming

A GREAT OFFER FOR SPORTSWAGERS READERS:

We’re offering a better and cheaper alternative to cable TV. You will literally save thousands of dollars. If you’re sick of paying a fortune for programming that you don’t even want or need, this is for you. All pro sports -- EVERY GAME, tons of college football and basketball games and tons of regular programming (non-sports). Over 2500 channels all in HD for a mere $20 per month. You have to be nuts not to get it.