RAMS VS. CARDINALS: WHO HAS THE EDGE? - Orange County Register

RAMS VS. CARDINALS: WHO HAS THE EDGE?

Rams running back Ronnie Rivers will likely serve as Kryen Williams’ backup today with Blake Corum listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Ben VanHouten / ap

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When: 1:25 p.m. today

Where: SoFi Stadium

TV/radio: Ch. 11/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish)

Records: Rams 11-5, Cardinals 3-13

Line: Rams by 9 1/2

Notable injury designations: Cardinals: OUT: OL Evan Brown (personal); QUESTIONABLE: LB Josh Sweat (ankle/knee). Rams: OUT: RG Kevin Dotson (ankle), DB Josh Wallace (ankle); DOUBTFUL: TE Terrance Ferguson (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: WR Davante Adams (hamstring), RB Kyren Williams (ankle), RB Blake Corum (ankle), LT Alaric Jackson (knee), LB Omar Speights (ankle), TE Tyler Higbee (ankle).

What’s at stake? The No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs after the Seahawks beat the 49ers on Saturday night, giving them the West title and the No. 1 seed. A win lands the Rams the No. 5 slot. But more importantly, the Rams want to get back to playing their brand of football after suffering their first consecutive losses of the season. And with this being the last game before the postseason, the Rams need to get their momentum back quickly.

Who’s better? No need to go too far in depth, it’s the Rams.

Matchup to watch: Rams’ offensive line vs. Cardinals’ front seven. This is more about seeing how the Rams’ line rebounds from a disappointing performance against the Falcons in Week 17. If Jackson is back at left tackle, does he look like he’s moving normally with his knee injury? Can reserve right guard Justin Dedich give quarterback Matthew Stafford time in the pocket? Can the group work as a cohesive unit even down a couple of starters?

Rams win if: Stafford can avoid any turnovers. ... If they can convert more than 60% of their third and fourth downs. ... RB Kyren Williams rushes for at least 90 yards. ... They prevent any explosive plays (runs of 10-plus yards or passes of 20-plus yards) by the Cardinals’ offense.

Fantasy sleeper: Rams RB Ronnie Rivers. With Corum’s status in question, look at Rivers to back up Williams today. That second running back role has been sizable the last few weeks and Rivers should see a good amount of work, especially with Williams nursing an ankle injury of his own.

Prediction: Rams 27, Cardinals 10. Beat reporter’s record: 12-4 overall; 10-6 against the spread.

— Adam Grosbard