Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams

Injuries noted

Arizona Cardinals: James Conner (IR-R) — Conner (foot) is close to practicing, but the Cardinals aren't expected to open his 21-day evaluation window this week, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.; Tip Reiman (PUP-R) — The Cardinals moved Reiman (ankle) from the active/PUP list to the reserve/PUP list Sunday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.; Joey Blount (IR) — ir; Zachary Carter (IR-R) — The Cardinals placed Carter (knee) on injured reserve Sunday with a designation to return, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.; Kaleb Proctor (IR); Chase Bisontis (IR) — ir; Trey Benson (IR) — Benson (knee) reverted to the Cardinals' injured reserve list Tuesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.; Jameson Geers (IR) — ir; Isaiah Adams (IR) — The Cardinals placed Adams (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.; Kitan Crawford (Questionable) — The Cardinals activated Crawford (ankle) from injured reserve Saturday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.; Will Johnson (IR) — The Cardinals placed Johnson (neck) on injured reserve Wednesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.; Andrew Wingard (Out) — Wingard (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.; Hunter Long (IR) — The Cardinals placed Long (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday.; Paris Johnson Jr. (IR) — The Cardinals placed Johnson (biceps) on injured reserve Tuesday.; Wydett Williams Jr. (Out) — Coach Mike LaFleur has ruled out Williams (concussion) for Sunday's game against the Rams, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.; Jeremiyah Love (Out) — Love (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.; Budda Baker (Questionable) — Baker (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.; Zaven Collins (Questionable) — Collins (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.; Blake Gillikin (Questionable) — questionable

Los Angeles Rams: Justin Dedich (IR-R) — Dedich (undisclosed) was put on injured reserve with a designation to return by the Rams on Sunday, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.; Eddie Walls III (IR); Matthew Caldwell (IR) — The Rams placed Caldwell (undisclosed) on injured reserve Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.; Daniel Rickert (IR) — Rickert (knee) reverted to the Rams' injured reserve Tuesday, per the NFL's transaction log.; Keir Thomas II (IR) — ir; Myles Garrett (IR) — Head coach Sean McVay told reporters Tuesday that Garrett (knee) will not return to practice this week and will not play against the Cardinals on Sunday, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.; Ronnie Rivers (IR) — The Rams placed Rivers (calf) on their injured reserve list Wednesday.; Terrance Ferguson (IR) — Ferguson (ankle) is expected to be ready to return after his four-game stint on injured reserve, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.; Alaric Jackson (Reserve-Sus) — Jackson's suspension for an act of unsportsmanlike conduct during Monday's game versus the Bills has been reduced to one game, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.; Kam Curl (Questionable) — Curl (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.; Trent McDuffie (Questionable) — McDuffie (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

QUARTERBACK

• Matthew Stafford is the projected starting quarterback for LAR

  7.28 Y/A

  Through 5 games in 2026, Matthew Stafford threw for 1572 passing yards, completed 64.4% of his passes and averaged 7.28 yards per attempt. Last season over 17 games he threw for 4707 yards, completed 65% and averaged 7.88 yards per attempt, 46-8 touchdowns to interceptions. This season's 9-6 touchdown-to-interception line is 5 games in.

• Jacoby Brissett is the projected starting quarterback for ARI

  5.58 Y/A

  Through 5 games in 2026, Jacoby Brissett threw for 1110 passing yards, completed 66.3% of his passes and averaged 5.58 yards per attempt. Last season over 14 games he threw for 3366 yards, completed 64.9% and averaged 6.94 yards per attempt, 23-8 touchdowns to interceptions. This season's 9-5 touchdown-to-interception line is 5 games in.

TRENCHES

• LAR: 116.8 rushing yards per game to ARI's 91.6

  25.2 YPG

  ARI is at 91.6 rushing yards per game over 5 games; LAR is at 116.8 over 5 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 17. Last season ARI was at 93.1 over 17 games and LAR at 126.6 over 17 games.

• LAR: 4.5 yards per rush attempt to ARI's 3.74

  0.76 Y/C

  ARI is at 3.74 yards per rush attempt over 5 games; LAR is at 4.5 over 5 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 17. Last season ARI was at 4.25 over 17 games and LAR at 4.69 over 17 games.

PASS RUSH

• LAR: 1.4 sacks taken per game to ARI's 2.4

  1 SACKS

  ARI is at 2.4 sacks taken per game over 5 games; LAR is at 1.4 over 5 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 17. Last season ARI was at 3.69 over 17 games and LAR at 1.77 over 17 games.

• ARI: 2.2 sacks recorded per game to LAR's 1.6

  0.6 SACKS

  ARI is at 2.2 sacks recorded per game over 5 games; LAR is at 1.6 over 5 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Oct 17.

PACE & SCRIPT

• LAR: 24 points allowed per game to ARI's 32.4

  8.4 PPG

  ARI is at 32.4 points allowed per game over 5 games; LAR is at 24 over 5 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 17. Last season ARI was at 28.7 over 17 games and LAR at 20.4 over 17 games.

• ARI @ LAR carries a 51.5 market total

  51.5

  This total sits comfortably above the slate's middle, so the market expects a game with more possessions ending in points than usual. It needs both offenses to produce for the number to land. If one side controls the ball and shortens the game, scoring can fall short of a price set this high.

TURNOVERS

• ARI: 1.4 takeaways per game to LAR's 1

  0.4 TO

  ARI is at 1.4 takeaways per game over 5 games; LAR is at 1 over 5 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Oct 17.

EXPLOSIVE PLAYS

• LAR: 6.04 yards per play to ARI's 4.42

  1.62 Y/P

  The Rams gain a first down's worth of extra yardage every six or so snaps compared to Arizona, and that gap is mostly about the Cardinals falling off: 4.42 now after 5.18 last season, while the Rams sit close to last year's 6.15. Arizona's last game had only 3 plays of 20+ yards, all Jacoby Brissett throws. Five games is a decent read, so expect the Rams to control field position and the Cardinals to need long, mistake-free drives to keep pace.

RED ZONE

• LAR: 64.7% red-zone scoring allowed to ARI's 76.5%

  11.8 PP

  ARI is at 76.5% red-zone scoring allowed over 5 games; LAR is at 64.7% over 5 games. Those are what each defense has allowed in this season's games through Oct 17.

MISMATCH

• LAR: 307.6 pass yards a game to ARI's 209.6

  307.6 VS 209.6

  The widest gap between these two is pass yards a game: ARI threw for 209.6 passing yards a game over 5 games; LAR threw for 307.6 passing yards a game over 5 games this season. Last season ARI was at 232.6 over 17 games and LAR at 268.1 over 17 games.

COVERAGE

• LAR: 4.82 yards per play allowed to ARI's 6.24

  1.42 Y/P

  The Rams allow 4.82 yards per play and Arizona allows 6.24, both over five games. That is a real gap in how hard each defense makes it to gain ground. The sheet doesn't say who either side has played, so part of it may be opponents. Arizona's offense faces the tougher unit here, and the Cardinals' defense is the one more likely to give up chunk gains.

• LAR: 156.8 passing yards allowed per game to ARI's 236.8

  80 YPG

  The Rams allow 156.8 passing yards a game and Arizona allows 236.8, both over five games. The sheet doesn't say which quarterbacks either side faced, or whether teams ran on the Rams instead, so the gap may be partly schedule and game script. Arizona's passing game faces the stingier defense, and the Rams' passing attack has the easier matchup.

• LAR: 32.8% third downs allowed to ARI's 42.1%

  9.3 PP

  The Rams allow conversions on 32.8% of third downs through 5 games, while Arizona is at 42.1%. Third-down rates can be noisy since they hinge on a few plays per game. Arizona letting opponents extend drives that often is a concern for them, and the Rams' stinginess means the Cardinals offense likely needs to stay ahead of the chains.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

• LAR lead the series with ARI since 2025

  2-0 SERIES

  The Rams have beaten Arizona twice since last season, both by wide margins: 45-17 in Arizona on Dec 7 and 37-20 at home on Jan 4. The Rams put up 37 or more in each game while holding Arizona to 20 or fewer. Two late-season results is a short sample, and nothing here shows what either team looks like now. For bettors, the history points to a one-way matchup, so the useful test is whether Arizona has closed that gap this season.

REPLACEMENT

• James Conner (RB) is ir-r for ARI

  IR-R

  Conner is on injured reserve with a foot injury and is close to practicing, but Arizona is not expected to open his 21-day return window this week, reported Oct 13. That rules him out against the Rams. The Cardinals backfield stays with the backs who have been carrying it, so do not expect him this week.

• Alaric Jackson (OT) is reserve-sus for LAR

  RESERVE-SUS

  Jackson, a Rams offensive tackle, had his suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct in the Bills game cut to one game, reported Oct 15. He misses this one against Arizona and should be back after. For this game, the Rams line plays with a fill-in at tackle.

• Myles Garrett (DE) is on injured reserve for LAR

  IR

  Garrett is on injured reserve with a knee injury, and Sean McVay said Tuesday he will not practice this week or play against the Cardinals on Sunday. The Rams lose a premier pass rusher for this game. That gives the Arizona quarterback a cleaner pocket and makes Rams sack totals harder to count on.

• Terrance Ferguson (TE) is on injured reserve for LAR

  IR

  Ferguson, a Rams tight end, is on injured reserve with an ankle injury and is expected to be ready after his four-game stint, reported Oct 7. Whether that lines up with the Arizona game depends on when the stint ends, so check his status before betting on any Rams tight end.

• Hunter Long (TE) is on injured reserve for ARI

  IR

  Arizona placed Long, a tight end, on injured reserve with a knee injury on Oct 6, so he is out against the Rams. His snaps and the few targets a backup tight end gets go to the rest of the Cardinals tight end room.

• Paris Johnson Jr. (OT) is on injured reserve for ARI

  IR

  Arizona placed Johnson, an offensive tackle, on injured reserve with a biceps injury on Oct 7, so he misses the Rams game. The Cardinals start a backup tackle, and with Garrett also out for the Rams, the pass-rush matchup on that side is less lopsided than it could have been.

• Isaiah Adams (G) is on injured reserve for ARI

  IR

  The Cardinals placed Adams (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports. Reported Oct 11.

PRACTICE REPORT

• Jeremiyah Love

  Out

  Ankle · Did not practice · Out

• Andrew Wingard

  Out

  Knee · Did not practice · Out

• Wydett Williams Jr.

  Out

  Concussion · Did not practice · Out

• Blake Gillikin

  Questionable

  Back · Limited practice · Questionable

• Kam Curl

  Questionable

  Ankle · Did not practice · Questionable

• Zaven Collins

  Questionable

  Hip · Did not practice · Questionable

• Trent McDuffie

  Questionable

  Groin · Did not practice · Questionable

• Kitan Crawford

  Questionable

  Ankle · Limited practice · Questionable

• Budda Baker

  Questionable

  Not injury related - resting player, Groin · Did not practice · Questionable

• Tyler Higbee

  DNP

  Did not practice

• Byron Young

  DNP

  Did not practice

• Davis Allen

  LP

  Limited practice

• Carson Beck

  LP

  Coach's Decision · Limited practice

• Devin Duvernay

  LP

  Limited practice

• Josh Sweat

  FP

  Full practice

• Nate Landman

  FP

  Full practice

• Omar Speights

  FP

  Full practice

• Keagen Trost

  FP

  Full practice

• Colby Parkinson

  FP

  Full practice

• Isaac Seumalo

  FP

  Full practice

• Alex Bachman

  FP

  Full practice

• Josh Wallace

  FP

  Full practice

SITUATIONAL

• ARI (1-4) at LAR (2-3), a division game

  +53 PT GAP

  Arizona has dropped four straight and sits at -54, so its 1-4 is earned. The Rams at 2-3 are basically even at -1, which points to a team close to average with a few bad breaks. LA is only 1-2 at home, so home field has not added much. The point differential gap is the clearer signal here than either team's record or venue split.

STREAK

• ARI has lost 4 straight

  L4

  Arizona won its opener and has lost four straight since, now 1-4. That's a slide over most of the season so far, though the sheet doesn't show the opponents or the scores. A road trip to the Rams in a division game is a tough place to turn it around, and the market will likely lean the same way, so look at whether the number has gone further than four losses justify.

TEAM RECORD

• NFC WEST game: ARI 0-2, LAR 0-1 in the division

  DIVISION

  Arizona has lost both of its NFC West games, and the Rams lost their only one. Two games and one game are tiny samples, so this split says almost nothing about how this matchup plays out. Lean on the overall form and the matchup more than the division record.

AFTER GARY

• ARI +12.5 → +12.5

  NO MOVE

  Gary's number was 12.5; the same book now shows 12.5.