The Rams need a win on Sunday night and the experts believe they’ll get one.
If the Los Angeles Rams are going to make the playoffs – which at the moment seems like a long shot – they desperately need a win on Sunday night against the Bears. Dropping further back in the NFC West and wild-card race would be very costly, as the Rams would potentially need to win out to make the postseason.
They’re not in “must-win” territory just yet, but every loss becomes increasingly impactful on their playoff odds. The experts believe they’ll get a win this weekend with the majority of them picking the Rams.
According to NFL Pick Watch, 86% of experts are taking Los Angeles to win at home against the Bears. Among the experts taking Chicago to pull off the upset are Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News, Will Brinson of CBS Sports and Dan Graziano of ESPN.
There are only two games in Week 11 where the split between experts is smaller than this matchup. In Colts-Jaguars, 57% are picking Indianapolis, and in Jets-Redskins, 73% are taking New York.
The Rams are 6.5-point favorites at BetMGM, and the over/under is 41.5.
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This is more evidence that this Colin Kaepernick tryout is nothing but a PR-sham put on by the NFL.
According to a report from Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, Colin Kaepernick will arrange for his own receivers to attend his workout today in Atlanta, after the league wouldn’t reveal to him which receivers they would have attend the event.
It’s unclear if Kaepernick found adequate receivers locally, or if he will pay to fly in people to catch passes from him. Florio just wrote that Kaepernick had made “arrangements” for receivers to attend.
This is just a bit more evidence that this entire thing is, sadly, a sham. The league scheduled this for a Saturday, when most pro scouts are watching college games, and actual coaching staffs will be prepping for their games on Sunday.
The league won’t reveal what teams are in attendance. They won’t reveal who from the teams will be there.
The New York Times reported on Saturday that the workout was organized entirely by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Jay-Z, who has a business partnership with the league. Both Goodell and Jay-Z felt that they suffered personally from the way Kaepernick had been locked out of the league, and wanted to remedy that with a public tryout.
So they organized … this. Whatever this is. It sure doesn’t feel like an earnest attempt to let Kaepernick show off what he’s capable of. It feels a lot more like, as Florio called it, a dog-and-pony show.
Cards Wire and Niners Wire make their picks and predictions for the game.
The Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers faced one another two weeks ago on Thursday night at State Farm Stadium. The result was a 28-25 loss for Arizona. It was one of their stronger performances of the season and they had a chance to win down the stretch.
Now the two teams meet for the second and final time this season. Arizona is healthier. San Francisco is banged up. The Niners are also coming off their first loss of the season in an overtime game on a short week.
How will this game play out? Niners Wire managing editor Kyle Madson and I both give our game picks and predictions.
Both of us expect a close game that the 49ers ultimately win.
Jess Root: 49ers 28, Cardinals 27
With as many players out or expected to be out as there will be for the Niners, I expect another close game. San Fran will still make plays but the Cardinals will once again move the ball against the 49ers defense. In the end, it will be a 28-27 Niners win. Kicker Chase McLaughlin’s made extra point will be the difference after missing a potential game-winner against the Seahawks last week.
Kyle Madson: 49ers 23, Cardinals 21
I don’t think Arizona will move the ball as easily on the ground, and I think San Francisco will have a little more success in the run game. However, I don’t expect Garoppolo to whip it around the yard again to the tune of 317 yards and four touchdowns. The 49ers are going to aim for a ball-control offense that keeps Murray and Johnson on the sidelines. Whether they can do that is another question though, since they’re averaging just 3.7 yards per carry the last five weeks, and that includes a game vs. Carolina where they went for 6.1 yards per rush. Give me another nail biter, but I think the 49ers make enough plays on defense to get a win.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has been sacked 31 this season. It is one of the highest totals in the league. However, even with all the sacks, you might not believe it, but he is actually the most difficult quarterback in the league to sacks.
In the above video, it gives the five most difficult quarterbacks to sack, based on the percentage of the time they evade pressure.
Murray is not only the best. He is the best by a large margin.
He evades pressure 31.4% of the time, which is 10% higher a rate than the No. 2 quarterback on the list — Derek Carr.
This is both a good and a bad stat for the Cardinals. Obviously, evading pressure is great. However, with the high number of sacks he has taken, it suggests he has been under pressure a lot.
Of course, 20 of the 31 sacks he has taken this season came in the first four weeks of the year. In the last six games, he has been sacked only 11 times.
Either way, Murray has come as advertised. He is fast. He is elusive and he makes plays.
He makes his offensive line look better and he is very difficult to bring down because he is so hard to get.
Mason Rudolph is reportedly only to be fined for Thursday night. But some think this isn’t enough.
The NFL was swift in doling out punishment to all involved in Thursday night’s fight between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. Several players including Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey received the heaviest discipline. But Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph got no suspension and will reportedly only facing a fine.
NFL fans seem to be divided on how much Rudolph is to blame for him eventually being bludgeoned over the head with his own helmet. So I’m asking fans and non-fans alike. Did Rudolph get off too easy for his part in the Thursday night fracas?
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I don’t see any way Rudolph should be suspended for what he did. When he kicked at Garrett, the 270-pound defensive end had him pinned on the ground by his facemask. What would you do in that instance? Rudolph stood his ground against Garrett knowing his team had his back. Good for him.
But having said that, I want to hear from all of you. Do your civic duty and cast your vote.
The Rams poked fun at Tarik Cohen’s height during Jalen Ramsey’s locker room media session.
Despite his smaller stature, Tarik Cohen is a dangerous playmaker for the Bears. The Rams will get a taste of that on Sunday night when they host the Bears at the Coliseum.
Many have poked fun at Cohen for his height, and it seems even his teammates are pranking him for being just 5-feet-6 by putting towels in the locker room on the top shelf.
The hilarious video was shared by the Bears on Twitter, and you can hear Cohen complaining in the background.
The Rams trolled Cohen in the locker room during Jalen Ramsey’s media session this week with one player yelling, “Hey, who keeps putting the towels on the top shelf?! You know I can’t reach them up here!”
Based on the reporter’s next question, it would seem recently promoted cornerback Donte Deayon was the player who cracked the joke.
In the last meeting between the Bears and Rams, Tarik Cohen carried the ball nine times for 69 yards and caught four passes for another 20 yards. The Bears, of course, won that game 15-6, being the first team to truly shut down Sean McVay’s offense.
The Rams should be careful about poking the bear ahead of Sunday’s game.
The Arizona Cardinals are on the road this weekend to take on the 8-1 San Francisco 49ers for the second time in three weeks. The last time they met, the Cardinals rallied in the fourth quarter but lost 28-25.
The 49ers are coming off their first loss of the season. They have a number of players injured.
In the above preview video, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks discuss what they want to see. Brooks would like to see the 49ers use their three-headed attack at running back. However, they likely will not have Matt Breida, so it will just be Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert.
They cite rookie receiver Deebo Samuel as a player to watch.
As for predictions, Brooks believes the 49ers will win, while Jeremiah picks the Cardinals to win in an upset.
The Rams are favored over the Bears, but this is hardly an easy matchup.
(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams are back home for the first time since Week 6 as they’ll host the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. A loss for either team will almost put them completely out of contention for a playoff berth, while a win by the Rams will keep their slim hopes alive.
Los Angeles is predictably a home favorite over the Bears, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be an easy win for the Rams. There are plenty of reasons for concern coming off that ugly loss to the Steelers, and these are the three biggest.
Depleted offensive line
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The Rams’ offensive line has been absolutely decimated by injuries recently. They will be without Brian Allen and Rob Havenstein on Sunday night, thrusting Bobby Evans and Austin Corbett into the starting lineup.
It’s hard to imagine this matchup going well for the Rams’ young offensive line, specifically at outside linebacker where Khalil Mack will be matched up against Evans and his three career NFL snaps.
Don’t be surprised to see several pre-snap infractions by the Rams as their makeshift line tries to get in a rhythm together. The offensive line has been the biggest problem for the Rams this season and it’s not going to get any better on Sunday with only one Week 1 starter remaining.
Breaking down Sunday night’s matchup between the Bears and Rams at the Coliseum.
Sunday night’s matchup between the Rams and Bears features two teams that have fallen well short of expectations after putting together strong 2018 seasons. Both teams have regressed this year, specifically with the quarterback play from Jared Goff and Mitchell Trubisky declining.
To preview the game, we talked to Bears Wire managing editor Alyssa Barbieri about what’s gone wrong with Chicago and how this matchup will go.
Is Mitchell Trubisky the biggest reason for the Bears’ struggles?
There’s plenty of blame to go around when it comes to Chicago’s disappointing season. Whether it’s play-calling on Matt Nagy’s front, poor offensive line play or Bears leading the league in drops, it’s more than just Trubisky. But with that said, Trubisky is the biggest part of why this Bears offense is struggling. Despite showing flashes this season, Trubisky has failed to take a step forward, instead regressing drastically. Nagy isn’t doing him any favors shying away from what made Trubisky successful last season — utilizing his mobility. As a result, his confidence has taken a hit. The Lions game was the first time Trubisky looked confident back there, as Nagy scaled back the playbook. Surely they’ll look to continue the trend and try to build off last week’s encouraging performance.
Besides Khalil Mack, who is the Bears’ best player?
Two of my answers fall on guys currently on or headed to injured reserve in defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebacker Danny Trevathan. But what that said, receiver Allen Robinson has proven himself to be a special talent that is being wasted by mediocre quarterbacks. Robinson is easily the most productive player on Chicago’s struggling offense, and he’s managed to be productive with opposing teams knowing that Trubisky will be looking for him every time. Robinson’s fast approaching his season totals from a season ago — on a worse offense — and with still seven games left to go. Although he’ll face a tough challenge against [his] former Jaguars teammate, cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
What can the Rams do to have success against Chicago’s defense?
While Khalil Mack has been hailed as the player that makes the Bears’ defense go, Chicago is learning the hard life is without Akiem Hicks, who has been the anchor on that line. The Bears defensive line has been gashed since they lost Hicks to injured reserve after Week 5. While they certainly have talent up front in Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols and Nick Williams, who leads the team in sacks, they’ve struggled to find stability in the middle of the line, where without Hicks teams have been able to attack with success.
What’s been the biggest difference for the Bears from last season to this year?
Last season, everything seemed to go right for the Bears. They caught every break, whether it was with injuries or the schedule, they didn’t have to really face much adversity. This season is a completely different story. They’re feeling the effects of significant injuries and they’re struggling with living up to expectations following last season’s success. Their flaws are multiplied as the heat is turned up on a 4-5 team that was supposed to be Super Bowl contenders.
What’s your prediction for this game?
While I expect the Bears’ defense to take advantage of the Rams’ offensive struggles, ultimately it’s going to come down to which offense struggles more. With that said, it’ll likely be Chicago’s. Rams 17, Bears 13
Previewing Sunday’s New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 11 matchup, with NFL betting odds, picks and best bets
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The New Orleans Saints (7-2) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6) hook up at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa for a key NFC South battle at 1 p.m. Sunday.
We analyze the Saints-Buccaneers sports betting odds and lines, with NFL betting picks and tips for the Week 11 matchup.
Saints-Buccaneers: Week 11 preview, betting trends and notes
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
The Saints were stunned at home by the Atlanta Falcons last week, falling 26-9 despite entering the game as 14-point favorites.
New Orleans has covered three straight on the road, although this is its first time being favored away from home this season. Last season the Saints were 4-2 ATS in six games as a road favorite, including a 28-14 win at Tampa as 10-point favorites.
Saints at Buccaneers: Key injuries
Nov 3, 2019; Seattle, WA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Dare Ogunbowale celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. (Photo Credit: Steven Bisig – USA TODAY Sports)
Saints: CB Carlton Davis (hip) practiced in full, but is still listed as questionable. LB Carl Nassib (groin), LB Anthony Nelson (hamstring) and S M.J. Stewart (knee) are out.
Buccaneers: OT Andrus Peat (forearm), CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and WR Deonte Harris (hamstring) are each listed as out.
Saints at Buccaneers: Odds, betting lines and prediction
The Saints (-239) should be able to bounce back on the road in this divisional battle, but risking more than two times your return is not a wise way to go. The Buccaneers (+195) are awful on defense, but so were the Falcons. If there is any way to go, it’s the Bucs rather lightly.
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Bucs moneyline returns a $19.50 profit with a Tampa Bay victory.
The SAINTS (-5.5, -110) should be able to get it done on the road, as long as their offense shows up. Their showing against an awful Atlanta defense was inexplicable, and you can expect them to pick apart the leaky D of the Buccaneers (+5.5, -110).
The OVER 50.5 (-110) is the play whenever the Bucs are involved. The over has cashed in seven straight for the Bucs, and four of the past five at the RayJay. The Under has connected in eight of the past 11 on the road for the Saints, but the over is 9-3 in their past 12 following a straight-up loss.
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