Free Pick: Arizona 11-6 at Los Angeles Rams 12-5 1/17/22

These two teams are quite familiar with each other, and split the games they played in the regular season, with each winning on the other one’s home field. Both teams are coming into the game off of a loss which is never a good thing. This is the hardest game of the week for the DUDES to handicap. Let’s look at the lines.

TOTAL TEAM POINTS:

Arizona: 21.5 Total Team Points There is nothing I like about the Cardinals’ offense going into this game. They don’t have a 1,000-yard rusher or a receiver with 1,000 yards, and since DeAndre Hopkins went out with an injury, Kyler Murray’s production has declined and his numbers have taken a hit. In fact, there is nothing I like about the way Murray is trending going into the game. On the other hand, the LA defense will be missing their two starting safeties and has been inconsistent all year. So, maybe the Cardinals can return to their midseason form. I’m taking Arizona Under 21.5 Total Team Points

Los Angeles: 27 Total Team Points The Rams’ offense is scoring 27 points per game and Matthew Stafford has thrown for 4,886 yards and 41 touchdowns. Wideout, Cooper Kupp, is having one of the best seasons ever with 145 catches for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. Running back, Sony Michel has been good the last half of the year giving the Rams a viable running game. The Cardinals’ defense has good stats and are capable of playing well in these types of games.Stafford, a threat, rushing the ball. I like Los Angeles UNDER 24.5 points.

OVER/UNDER 50 Total Combined Team Points When two teams from the same division hook up, they have already played each other twice and they know each other’s offense very well. I’m taking UNDER 50 combined points.

POINT SPREAD: Los Angeles is a 3.5-point favorite The Rams are favored and they probably should be. However, this is a game that no one will be surprised which team wins. There is tremendous pressure on Matthew Stafford to win a playoff game and that could be a factor. The DUDES are split on this one.

AARON’S PICK: Cardinals +3.5

PAPA DUDES PICK: Rams -3.5