Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

Arizona is trying to take over the rivalry with St. Louis, winning three of the last four meetings outright, going 4-1 against the spread over the last five. The Cardinals can also take an even firmer grip on the NFC West when they visit the reeling Rams Sunday afternoon.

Point spread: The Cardinals opened as 5.5-point favorites; the total was 44.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 22.3-21.2 Cardinals

Why the Cardinals can cover the spread

Arizona owns a five-game winning streak after holding off San Francisco last week 19-13. The Cardinals led 6-3 at the half, drove the second-half kickoff to a touchdown, allowed the 49ers to tie the score at 13-13, then won it on MVP candidate Carson Palmer's eight-yard scoring scramble with just over two minutes to go.

On an off day, Arizona got outgained by San Francisco 368-337 but won the turnover battle 2-0 and time of possession by almost 15 minutes.

For the season, Palmer has completed 64 percent of his passes for 3,337 yards and 27 touchdowns against nine interceptions. Meanwhile, the Cardinals defense ranks fifth overall and fourth against the run.

At 9-2, Arizona leads the NFC West by three games and a tiebreaker over second-place Seattle.

Why the Rams can cover the spread

St. Louis had won three of four a while back but has now lost four in a row after falling at Cincinnati last week 31-7. The Rams only trailed the Bengals 10-7 late into the second quarter, and the defense tried to keep them in the game, but three Nick Foles interceptions basically cost St. Louis 10 points, and a late Cincy pick-six produced a slightly misleading final score.

On the day, St. Louis only got outgained by the Bengals 376-345.

Two weeks ago, the Rams had the ball near midfield in the final minute of a tie game at Baltimore, but a Case Keenum fumble led to the game-winning field goal for the Ravens. Now St. Louis heads back home, where it's 3-2 both straight up and ATS this season.

Smart pick

Arizona has outgained five of its last six opponents, outrushing four of them; St. Louis has been outgained and outrushed each of its last three times out. Take Carson and the Cardinals, minus the points.

Betting trends

The Cardinals are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games against the Rams in December.

The favored team is 2-6 ATS in its last eight games in this matchup.

The Rams are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games in Week 13.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.