The Arizona Cardinals are heading into a critical game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. This will be a Class A mission for the Cardinals requiring anyone healthy enough to play to be on the field come Sunday.
If the Cardinals should so happen to lose against the Rams, it ultimately ends their chances of making the playoffs. They currently own an 8-7 record, placing them at third in the NFC East behind the Rams and the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams are essentially locked into place for a playoff berth as they await their final seeding, which also depends partially on the outcome of their matchup against the Cardinals or a loss for the Chicago Bears to the Green Bay Packers.
Even so, the Rams won't be at full strength with all of their options come Sunday due to some unfortunate injuries. Sunday will be the end of time for some teams, and the Cardinals will do their best to make sure they aren't on the plane back home for good.
Here are a few bold predictions for the Cardinals-Rams bout in Week 17.
1. Cardinals defense shuts down Wolford
John Wolford will be getting his first look in a real-life NFL game on Sunday. While that comes as good news in a normal scenario, Week 17 happens to be the most important game for the Rams' season at this time. Jared Goff won't be available for action due to a broken thumb he sustained in Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks.
While Goff has been making sure to groom Wolford for his career debut, Wolford will still be stepping into one of the most intense environments for any signal-caller. The 25-year-old has spent the last two years with the Rams, though it's never awarded anything outside of the practice squad.
The Cardinals rank 14th in the league on defense, but they've proven to be exceptionally well at limiting yards thrown throughout the season by opposing quarterbacks. Given the fact that this a do-or-die game, the Cardinals won't let Wolford start his career off with a strong showing.
2. Hopkins goes all in
This one is for the marbles, which means everyone is pushing all their chips in on Sunday. DeAndre Hopkins has been spectacular this season alongside Kyler Murray. The coaching staff is hoping that the same chemistry pays off once again in Week 17 when it matters the most.
Hopkins is still dealing with a hip injury he suffered in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers, but that won't stop the five-time Pro-Bowler from competing at the highest level against the Rams. He hasn't been ruled out yet, and the sign of him getting some limited action in practice is a positive.
Hopkins had a decent performance against the Rams during their first meeting in Week 13. He caught 61.5 percent of his targets for 52 yards while scoring a touchdown.
Knowing that there is certainly more on the line this go-around, the 28-year-old wideout will make it count for the Cardinals to have a chance at making it into the playoffs.
3. Murray goes legendary
Murray was almost in the same boat as Goff as both field generals deal with some troublesome injuries. However, Murray declared that his injury wasn't serious enough to keep him out of Sunday's epic showdown.
Murray, like so many other important pieces to the Cardinals, is dealing with a leg injury he sustained against the 49ers last week.
Be that as it may, the young quarterback won't back down from the spotlight come Sunday. Murray will be tasked with going up against a formidable Rams' defense, which could make things complicated as the game gets going. The Rams are a top-three defense currently, with most of their stops coming in the passing game.
Still, Murray is no pushover. He's thrown over 240 yards in each of his last three games while completing more than 60 percent of his passes as well. His last outing against the Rams ended well as he threw for three touchdowns, though he was limited to completing only 53.9 percent of his throws.
Expect Murray to get off 265 yards while clearing three touchdowns once more on Sunday.
4. Cardinals win in a tight race
This contest will simply come down to who wants it more. If the Cardinals lose, their season comes to an end with ultimately nothing to show for it except the development of some of their key players.
The hope is that Larry Fitzgerald, along with Budda Baker, is cleared to participate on Sunday. Having crucial pieces like that could make the outing fairly easier. Aside from that, the Cards are coming off a funky 20-12 loss to the 49ers, and they lost their last meeting with the Rams. They'll be out for blood as the game gets going.
The Rams being without Goff certainly will help out in the long run, but the Cardinals were bound to come out swinging regardless. When the final second runs out, Arizona will have been awarded a playoff berth.
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