The Los Angeles Rams visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at State Farm Stadium, kicking off at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS. Arizona has lost every game it has played at home this season, while the Rams have lost only once on the road. Home field is no edge for Arizona here, and the Rams are favored by more than a touchdown.

The Matchup

Records: Los Angeles Rams 5-4 (road 3-1) – Arizona Cardinals 3-6 (home 0-3)
Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ (indoor)
Kickoff: Sunday, November 15, 4:05 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Line: LAR -9.5, O/U 39.5 (DraftKings)

Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals tickets
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What Decides It

Both teams have been better away from home, and that favors the Rams. Arizona is 3-3 on the road and has not won in Glendale. Its last two home games were a 30-16 loss and a 45-21 loss, so the Cardinals have been giving up points in bunches in front of their own crowd.

The Rams fit the same pattern, and here it works in their favor. They are 2-3 at home but 3-1 on the road, and two of their last three wins came away from home: 20-13 and 35-21. This is the setting where they have looked most like a contender.

The Rams' defense is driving the streak. Across the 3 straight wins, no opponent scored more than 21 points, and the 24-9 win held an opponent to single digits. On the season the Rams allow about 20 points a game, while Arizona allows about 28.

That gap matters against a Cardinals offense that just managed 3 points in a 17-3 loss. Arizona scores about 20 points a game, which leaves little room if the Rams keep defending at their recent level.

The Rams' passing game is the matchup that should decide it. Los Angeles throws for about 265 yards a game, and Arizona allows about 231 through the air. That is the Rams' strength aimed at a defense that has not stopped anyone consistently.

Flip it around and Arizona has the tougher assignment. The Cardinals throw for about 231 yards a game into a Rams pass defense allowing about 209, so their offense is attacking a stingier unit than the one the Rams face.

Players to Watch

Los Angeles Rams

Passing: Matthew Stafford – 230-346, 2374 YDS, 16-9 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Kyren Williams – 127 ATT, 593 YDS, 6 TD
Receiving: Tyler Higbee – 28 REC, 287 YDS, 1 TD

Stafford has 16 touchdowns against 9 interceptions, and he gets the most favorable matchup on the field. Williams gives the Rams a ground option against a run defense allowing about 122 yards a game.

Arizona Cardinals

Rushing: Tyler Allgeier – 89 ATT, 369 YDS, 2 TD
Receiving: Trey McBride – 73 REC, 598 YDS, 5 TD

McBride is Arizona's receiving leader. If the Cardinals are going to move the ball through the air, it likely runs through him.

Injury Report

Arizona Cardinals: Jon Gaines II (G) – Out, ankle; Hjalte Froholdt (C) – Out, concussion; Jayden Williams (OT) – Questionable, knee; Andrew Wingard (S) – Questionable, groin; Zachary Carter (DT) – Injured Reserve, knee
Los Angeles Rams: Steve Avila (G) – Out, hamstring; Myles Garrett (DE) – Questionable, knee; Trent McDuffie (CB) – Questionable, back; Kam Curl (S) – Questionable, toe; Davis Allen (TE) – Questionable, oblique

Arizona's offensive line is the bigger concern, with a guard and a center ruled out and a tackle questionable. The Rams have several defenders listed as questionable, and their status is worth checking before kickoff.

Prediction

The Rams have the better defense, the better passing matchup and the better record away from home, while Arizona has yet to win in Glendale. A shorthanded Cardinals offensive line against a Rams defense on a roll points one way. Rams 24, Cardinals 17 — Los Angeles wins, but Arizona keeps it inside the 9.5-point spread.