Cardinals vs. Rams: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Week 1 on the NFL's schedule features a contest between the NFC West's forgotten, as the St. Louis Rams host the Arizona Cardinals. 

With the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks generating so much buzz these days, these two franchises have flown under the radar all summer long. 

Make no mistake about it, however: The Cardinals and Rams will be highly competitive this season, and the NFC West divisional title is by no means a gimme for the 49ers or Seahawks. 

Both teams feature underrated offenses loaded with talent, and both defenses are capable of making big plays and creating turnovers. 

Here's a look at what you need to know about this upcoming game.

When: Sunday, Sept. 8 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis

Watch: FOX

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Betting Lines (via Covers)

• Over/Under: 41 pts.
• Spread: St. Louis (-4.5)

Cardinals Injury Report (via NFL.com)

Rob Housler	TE	Ankle	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Rashard Mendenhall	RB	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Dan Williams	DT	Ankle	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
D.C. Jefferson	TE	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Calais Campbell	DE	Quadricep	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Andre Roberts	WR	Quadricep	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Javier Arenas	CB	Hip	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Andre Ellington	RB	Hamstring	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Mike Leach	LS	Hamstring	Full Participation in Practice	Probable

Rams Injury Report (via NFL.com)

Cory Harkey	TE	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Jonathan Stewart	LB	Hip	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Darian Stewart	S	Thigh	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Quinton Pointer	CB	Thigh	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out

Can Carson Palmer Get Arizona's Offense Cranked Up?

The Cardinals featured one of the most embarrassing offenses in the NFL last year, ranking last in rushing yards and sacks allowed (or is it first?). Furthermore, All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald found out what NFL purgatory is like with his worst season since his rookie campaign. 

As a result, longtime head coach Ken Whisenhunt was canned, and in his place the Cardinals brought offensive guru Bruce Arians aboard to right the ship. Not long after, they engineered a trade with the Oakland Raiders for quarterback Carson Palmer.

Arians loves to push the ball downfield with the passing game, which suits Palmer's strengths to perfection. However, the team's offensive line is still a work in progress—especially after rookie guard Jonathan Cooper was lost for the season with a broken leg. 

St. Louis' defense is loaded with pass-rushers, athletic linebackers and skilled defensive backs. Palmer will need to be at his absolute best to lead the Cardinals to victory. 

Prediction

The Rams have home-field advantage and are the better team to boot. 

Chris Long, Robert Quinn and the rest of the men on the defensive line comprise the most underrated defensive front in the NFL, and they'll get to Carson Palmer early and often.

On the other side, watch out for rookie receiver Tavon Austin, who is electric on turf surfaces. He and free-agent tight end Jared Cook will be targeted on a regular basis in the passing game by Sam Bradford, who is going to break out with a big season. 

Final Score 

Rams win, 28-24

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