Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams Picks and Predictions for Sunday October 18 2026
Arizona heads to Los Angeles on Sunday, October 18, 2026, to face the Rams at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is at 4:05 PM ET on FOX. The Cardinals are coming off a 45-21 beating by Detroit, while Los Angeles lost a wild 37-34 overtime game to Buffalo. The Rams are favored by 12.5 points, with the total sitting at 52.5. SoFi has a covered field, so weather won’t be much of an issue. I’m usually not crazy about laying this many points in a division game. But have you seen Arizona’s defense lately? Stafford has to be looking forward to Sunday. I know the Rams aren’t exactly setting the league on fire with their record, but this looks like a good spot for them. Make sure you check out all of our free NFL picks.
Arizona Cardinals Can’t Stop Anybody Right Now
Arizona is 1-4 and has lost four straight. The Cardinals are 1-2 on the road, and last Sunday’s game against Detroit was a mess. They actually led 7-0 after the first quarter. Then the Lions scored on seven straight possessions. Six touchdowns. Detroit finished with 45 points, and Arizona spent most of the afternoon chasing people around the field. Mike LaFleur has plenty to worry about. Trading Marvin Harrison Jr. to Houston certainly didn’t make his offense any better. I don’t see things getting much easier this week.
The Cardinals are scoring 21.6 points per game while giving up 32.4. That’s a huge gap. They’ve allowed at least 31 points in four straight games, and I wouldn’t bet on that streak ending against Stafford. Arizona averages 301.2 yards of offense, but only 91.6 come on the ground. Detroit held the Cardinals to 56 rushing yards last Sunday. Not good. Arizona has recorded 11 sacks and three interceptions, so the defense can make a play here and there. Keeping teams out of the end zone? That’s been another matter.
Jacoby Brissett has thrown for 1,110 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. He had three scoring passes against Detroit, but it’s hard to celebrate quarterback numbers when your team loses by 24. Trey McBride has been the bright spot with 42 catches for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Jeremiyah Love leads the rushing attack with 245 yards, averaging 3.7 per carry. Arizona’s injury situation isn’t pretty either. James Conner and Trey Benson are on injured reserve, while left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. is out after biceps surgery. Isaiah Adams is also sidelined. That’s a lot of missing help for Brissett. And now he’s supposed to keep up with the Rams?
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Los Angeles Rams Have The Offense To Make This Ugly
Los Angeles is 2-3 overall and 1-2 at home. The Rams have lost two straight, but I wouldn’t put Monday’s defeat entirely on the offense. Stafford threw for 383 yards and three touchdowns against Buffalo. The Rams scored 20 points in the fourth quarter and forced overtime. Then they had a potential winning field goal blocked. Buffalo eventually won 37-34. Tough way to lose. Sean McVay has to be frustrated, especially with the special teams problems. But I’d much rather have his offensive problems than Arizona’s defensive ones.
The Rams average 424.4 yards per game. That’s an impressive number for a team sitting below .500. They’re putting up 23.8 points and rushing for 116.8 yards a contest. The defense has been a different story, allowing 24 points per game. Buffalo ran for 234 yards Monday night. That’s not something I’d want to see from a defense I’m betting on. But here’s the difference. Arizona isn’t Buffalo. The Cardinals can barely run the ball, and their offensive line is missing important pieces. Los Angeles should have a much easier time getting off the field this week.
Stafford has 1,572 passing yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. Puka Nacua caught 17 passes for 138 yards against Buffalo. Seventeen! Davante Adams has another 441 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season. Kyren Williams has rushed for 343 yards, averaging 4.9 a carry. That’s plenty of offense to give Arizona trouble. The Rams do have injuries. Myles Garrett remains on injured reserve, Terrance Ferguson is sidelined, and Quentin Lake has been dealing with a hip problem. There’s also uncertainty around left tackle Alaric Jackson following a reported suspension and possible appeal. That one matters. You don’t want Stafford getting knocked around. Still, look at the weapons he has compared with what Arizona is bringing to town.
Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams Picks and Predictions
Against the Spread Pick: Los Angeles Rams -12.5
I’m laying the 12.5 with Los Angeles. I know. That’s a lot of points for a 2-3 team. But Arizona is giving up 32.4 points per game, and Detroit just scored on seven straight possessions. Stafford threw for 383 yards against Buffalo, and now he gets to face that Cardinals secondary with Nacua and Adams running routes. I don’t see Arizona stopping them consistently. The Rams could hurt themselves with turnovers or another special teams mistake. That’s what makes the spread a little uncomfortable. Brissett can also throw a touchdown or two, especially against a defense that hasn’t been great. But Arizona has too many injuries, can’t run the football, and hasn’t stopped anybody lately. I think the Rams get ahead early and keep scoring. Give me Los Angeles -12.5.
Total Pick: Under 52.5 Points
I’ll take Under 52.5. The Rams could score 35 by themselves against this defense. That’s what worries me. But how much is Arizona going to contribute? The Cardinals are averaging 21.6 points, can’t run consistently, and have lost another receiving option with Harrison gone. Brissett might throw for some yards, but I don’t see Arizona matching Stafford touchdown for touchdown. Los Angeles is coming off a Monday night overtime game, too. If the Rams build a comfortable lead, why keep throwing? Give Williams the ball and let the clock move. He’s averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Arizona’s defense could make this interesting by giving up a few cheap scores, and the Rams haven’t been great at stopping opponents either. I get that. I just don’t think both teams do enough to reach 53 points. I’ll call it 31-17 Rams and take the under.
Final Picks: Los Angeles Rams -12.5 and Under 52.5 Points.
Disclaimer: This preview was prepared October 14, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, suspensions and player availability may change before kickoff.
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