Best Cardinals vs. Rams Player Prop Bets for Monday Night Football
What kind of performances can prop bettors expect from Sony Michel, Kyler Murray, AJ Green, and Zach Ertz on Monday Night Football? Follow along as NFL betting analyst Nick Galaida breaks down his four favorite Cardinals-Rams props. Not in a state with legal sports betting? Sign up at PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy to start winning cash on NFL player props tonight!
On Monday Night Football at Sofi Stadium, the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams will conclude the Wild Card round of this year’s NFL Postseason. The Cardinals opened the campaign with seven consecutive victories, but faltered down the stretch with losses in four of their final five contests. The Rams have been trending in the opposite direction, with wins in five of their last six games to end the regular season. Oddsmakers are anticipating a tightly-contested affair in this matchup, pricing Los Angeles as 3.5-point home favorites on the spread.
As we approach kickoff, the value on the spread and the total has been reduced compared to its opening market price. Instead of forcing action on saturated markets, bettors may find more expected value on player props for this Wild-Card game.
Cardinals vs. Rams Player Props
Sony Michel o55.5 rushing yards (-130)
PrizePicks: 60.5 Yards
Since taking over lead running back responsibilities in the Los Angeles Rams offense, Sony Michel has been outstanding. He has totaled at least 74 rushing yards in 4-of-5 games played since then, and has at least 18 attempts in each of those contests. The Rams have not been unnecessarily cute with their play design since Week 13 either, handing 84.9 percent of the rushing attempts to Michel, and only 8-of-152 total rushing attempts to non-running backs. Since Week 10, opposing teams have averaged 24.13 running back rush attempts against the Cardinals. If Michel gets 80.0 percent of even 20 carries (16 attempts), he would only need to average 3.5 yards-per-carry to hit the over on this prop. Outside of an abnormal game script, it would be extremely surprising to see Michel fall short of this number.
Kyler Murray o251.5 passing yards (-110)
PrizePicks: 57.5 Yards
Per EdgHouse, Kyler Murray eclipsed this number in 9-of-14 games played during the regular season—including both games against the Los Angeles Rams. There is some concern when it comes to pass blocking if Justin Pugh ends up on the sidelines. Pugh was limited in practice on Friday and did not practice at all on Saturday. His absence is a significant blow to the passing game, but not a huge downgrade in terms of run-blocking. Still, Murray is athletic enough to escape the pocket to extend plays. The Arizona Cardinals still have three strong pass-catching options with Christian Kirk, A.J. Green, and Zach Ertz. If the Cardinals end up in a negative game script, Murray could surpass this number with ease.
A.J Green u3.5 receptions (-106)
PrizePicks: 66.5 Yards
Since Week 13, A.J. Green has only hit this number in three of six contests. One of those contests was in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams when he secured seven catches for 102 receiving yards on 10 targets. In the Wild Card round, bettors should expect Green to see more of Jalen Ramsey in coverage, who graded as the top-rated cornerback in the NFL this season, per Pro Football Focus. Green ranks third on the Cardinals in targets since Week 13, and has an abysmal 54.1 catch-percentage during that span. If Ramsey ends up taking more snaps across from Green on Monday, it is doubtful that Green goes over this receptions number.
Zach Ertz o5.5 receptions (+105)
PrizePicks: 64.5 Yards
Since Week 13, Zach Ertz has received 52 of the 55 targets to tight ends on the Arizona roster. In those six games, Ertz has led the Cardinals with 52 targets and a 23 percent target share. Christian Kirk ranks second in that span with 42 targets. In Week 14, Ertz caught five passes on seven targets for 42 receiving yards. On Monday, expect him to be a focal point of the offense. At plus-money, this is a play worth consideration.
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