Cardinals vs Rams Prediction 1/4/2026 Today’s NFL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Cardinals vs Rams prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, January 4th at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 18 matchup.

Arizona Cardinals Betting Preview

The Arizona Cardinals are 3-13 this year after they lost to Cincinnati by a score of 37-14 in their last game. Arizona cut the deficit to 13-7 in the second quarter, but they allowed 24 of the last 31 points in the blowout loss. The Cardinals were out gained by a total of 429-233, went 3-13 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at zero in the game. Jacoby Brissett went 21-37 for 212 yards and two touchdowns, while Michael Carter rushed seven times for 29 yards. Michael Wilson led the receivers with five catches for 89 yards and one touchdown in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Arizona lost to the Falcons by a score of 26-19 and the Texans by a score of 40-20. The Cardinals have lost eight games in a row and they are currently last in the NFC West standings. Arizona has scored 20.9 points per game with 232.3 passing yards and 94.0 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 28.2 points against per game this season. Jacoby Brissett has thrown for 3,123 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while Trey McBride has 119 receptions for 1,174 yards and 11 touchdowns this year. Michael Carter has led the ground game with 315 yards and one score on 85 carries. 

Los Angeles Rams Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Rams are 11-5 this season after they lost to Atlanta by a score of 27-24 in their last game. Los Angeles trailed 21-0 at halftime and 24-3 in the third quarter, but they tied the game late in the fourth, before allowing a field goal with 21 seconds left for the loss. The Rams out gained Atlanta by a total of 363-345, went 5-13 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 3-0 in the game. Matthew Stafford went 22-38 for 269 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, while Kyren Williams rushed 13 times for 92 yards. Xavier Smith led the receivers with four catches for 67 yards in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Los Angeles lost to the Seahawks by a score of 38-37 in overtime, but did beat the Lions by a score of 41-34 before that. The Rams have lost three of their last five games and they are currently third in the NFC West standings. Los Angeles has scored 30.1 points per game with 269.1 passing yards and 125.6 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 20.4 points against per game this season. Matthew Stafford has thrown for 4,448 yards, 42 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while Puka Nacua has 119 receptions for 1,639 yards and nine scores this season. 

Why the Los Angeles Rams will win

• The Cardinals have lost each of their last nine games played on the West Coast.
• The Rams have won each of their last 10 Sunday games as home favorites.
• The Rams have covered the spread in each of their last six games in January.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as underdogs without Sean Murphy-Bunting.
• The Rams have won the first half in seven of their last eight Sunday games as favorites.
• The Cardinals have lost the first quarter in three of their last four games.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of the Rams’ last nine home games following a loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of the Cardinals’ last four games as underdogs without Michael Carter have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total points line.

Los Angeles Rams Player Prop Facts

• Matthew Stafford has recorded 273+ passing yards in six of the Rams’ last seven games in California.
• Puka Nacua has recorded 167+ receiving yards in three of the Rams’ last four games.
• Puka Nacua has recorded 167+ rushing and receiving yards in three of the Rams’ last four games.
• Colby Parkinson has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Rams’ last five Sunday games played on the West Coast.
• Matthew Stafford has recorded 24+ completions in each of the Rams’ last six games at SoFi Stadium as heavy favorites (>-7.0 points).
• Heading into Week 18, Matthew Stafford is the only player in the NFL to record 35+ passing TDs and throw less than 10 INTs this season.

Arizona Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Trey McBride has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Cardinals’ last seven road games.
• Jacoby Brissett has recorded 271+ passing yards in three of the Cardinals’ last four games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
• Michael Wilson has recorded 52+ receiving yards in seven of the Cardinals’ last eight games as underdogs following a loss.
• Emari Demercado has recorded 30+ rushing yards in three of his last four appearances with the Cardinals as underdogs against NFC opponents.
• Emari Demercado has recorded 30+ rushing and receiving yards in three of his last four appearances with the Cardinals as underdogs against NFC opponents.
• Jacoby Brissett has recorded 25+ completions in three of the Cardinals’ last four games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
• Heading into Week 18, Jacoby Brissett has recorded the most completions in a single game this season (47 vs 49ers, Week 11).

Matchup/League Facts

• Rams – two different players have recorded 100+ rushing yards in a game this season – equal-most in the NFL, heading into Week 18.
• Heading into Week 18, the Rams rank 1st in the NFL in points per game (30.1) this season.
• Heading into Week 18, the Cardinals are the only team to give up multiple 10+ point 1st quarter leads to lose this season.
• Heading into Week 18, the Cardinals have suffered the most losses by a margin of five points or less this season (7).

Cardinals vs Rams Prediction 

Los Angeles comes into this matchup firmly locked into the playoffs, but they could still improve their seed, so they shouldn’t be resting anyone. The Rams played a terrible first half last week against Atlanta, but they should move the ball very easily against this Arizona defense. The Cardinals have allowed 37+ points in three of their last four games and while they have a decent passing attack, I don’t see them keeping this game close at all. Take the Rams to cover at home.

David Racey is 109-88 (55%) in the NFL this season and is one of the top NFL cappers on the NFL Leaderboard. Click here for his premium plays for this week!

David Racey's Pick: Rams -7.5