LA Rams (8) @ Arizona (4)
Injury updates:
-Rams TE Tyler Higbee has been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and will not play. Higbee is 4th on the team in targets and is an above average blocker and pass catcher.
-Rams C Brian Allen (knee) was injured last week and is doubtful this week after missing practice all week. Coleman Shelton steps in, who has played all of 99 snaps in his career, 67 of which came last week in relief for Allen. Allen is a solid center, and Shelton is without question a downgrade.
-Rams RT Rob Havenstein was added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list and will not play. Havenstein is an solid right tackle. The Rams offensive line takes another hit.
-Rams RB Darrell Henderson was added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list and will not play. Sony Michel will get extra work at running back.
-Rams DE Terrell Lewis is questionable with a back injury. He got in a limited session Saturday, but didn't practice Thursday or Friday. Lewis has been a poor pass rusher, and with the addition of Von Miller, his role has been diminished anyway. I don't think this matters one iota for the game.
-Rams CB Jalen Ramsey has been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and will not play. Ramsey is one of the top corners in football.
-Rams CB Donte Deayon was added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list and will not play. Deayton would have seen more snaps at slot corner with Ramsey out. The Rams cornerback room is thin.
-Cardinals LG Justin Pugh is questionable with a calf injury. Pugh has been out since week 9, but did practice all week (albeit as limited) and will have a shot to return. He's only slightly better than his replacement (Sean Harlow) though.
Spread: When we ran the model last Tuesday, it spit our Arizona -3 with a microscopic strength of 0.91. The number has remained at 3. There's no edge here, so don't bet it. Per PFF, 67% of tickets and 68% of cash are on the Cardinals.
Total: A second time divisional game with a high total and lots of injuries always screams under to me. I like it at 51, but anything lower than that, I'd lay off.
Prop bets:
Cooper Kupp o7.5 receptions -130 (FanDuel): Yeah, this number is high, but I don't see how the Cardinals are going to stop Kupp. They simply don't have the corners or safeties to do it. Kupp is projected at 8 receptions, and has gone over this number in 7 of 12 games. He has at least 7 catches in all but 1 game.