Arizona Cardinals @ LA Rams Pre Game Thread. 12/28/25-01/03/26

[AustrianCardFan]

I'd figure as much. They can still grab #5, and they need a get right game after that. Who better than yours truly.

If the 49ers win on Saturday the Rams can't grab #5 and the game against us becomes completely meaningless.

 

[Zalixar]

If the 49ers win on Saturday the Rams can't grab #5 and the game against us becomes completely meaningless.

Not completely. McVay is not someone who will let this MNF game be their "last" one. They will use our corpse as a fixer before the big dance. Maybe sub out later if they feel good.

 

[GatorAZ]

Not completely. McVay is not someone who will let this MNF game be their "last" one. They will use our corpse as a fixer before the big dance. Maybe sub out later if they feel good.

Coach speak IMO. Getting what could essentially be a bye week before the playoffs is more important.

 

[Russ Smith]

Won’t they still be playing for facing Tampa/Carolina instead of Philly or Chicago?

Seems worth playing starters for. At least for the first half until they have a 21 point lead.

First half? That will be the first 10 minutes probably

 

[Harry]

If the 49ers win on Saturday the Rams can't grab #5 and the game against us becomes completely meaningless.

This option died with the LA loss to the Falcons

 

[Mulli]

Yes. Do you really want to head into the playoffs losing to the CARDINALS????

I might be just me but it seems like teams try to score 40 points on the Cardinals every week

 

[PJ1]

I might be just me but it seems like teams try to score 40 points on the Cardinals every week

It is hard not to. Most on D have quit. A backup RB can light it up on this D. Sad.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Yes. Do you really want to head into the playoffs losing to the CARDINALS????

Here's what they have done lately...

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[Brian in Mesa]

I might be just me but it seems like teams try to score 40 points on the Cardinals every week

Like the Niners did to the Bears?

 

[Mulli]

Like the Niners did to the Bears?

Yes

 

[CardNots]

I might be just me but it seems like teams try to score 40 points on the Cardinals every week

Certainly a good team to iron out offensive wrinkles for the opposing team.

 

[pemory09]

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Translation: we’re headed for a 3-14 season.

 

[pemory09]

Here's what they have done lately...

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We can fix that.

By mid-February we’ll likely have to suffer listening to LA tout their latest SB run to the tune of “Everything changed when we faced the Cards in Week 18. From that thrashing forward we couldn’t be stopped.”

 

[Brian in Mesa]

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[pemory09]

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This never gets old. LOL!

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Here's what they have done lately...

You must be registered for see images attach

yeah they need a tune up game against us before the playoffs - we're real good at building confidence and team unity on other teams - plus we won't f up our #5 draft pick

 

[Adrian]

Los Angeles Rams starters to play vs. Arizona Cardinals un Week 18

Sean McVay made an early decision about playing starters in the regular-season finale against the Cardinals.

cardswire.usatoday.com

 

[RON_IN_OC]

They need to win to have a chance finish 5th and host a first round playoff game. That’s big time motivation.

Isn't it 2 v 7, 3 v 6 and 4 v 5? Meaning 4 (Division Winner) would host? Or did that change?

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Not completely. McVay is not someone who will let this MNF game be their "last" one. They will use our corpse as a fixer before the big dance. Maybe sub out later if they feel good.

McVay will probably play starters, regardless...however with nothing to play for, it's more symbolic, like preseason. Get a drive or two, then pull the starters.

 

[Russ Smith]

the Rams fell off because Davante Adams is hurt. With him and Puka they were basically impossible to cover teams were having to give up something to stop the WR's so the run game and the TE's were killing everyone. Adams going out allowed teams to double Puka, he's still great but now they can better defend the run and the TE's because Adams isn't there.

Also they're less effective in the redzone because Adams has 14 TD catches.

If he plays in the playoffs I still think the Rams are the best team in the NFC, the combination of talent and scheme gives them an edge IMO

 

[BullheadCardFan]

It's a get back to normal game for the Rams

Be prepared to get waxed

 

[Harry]

Los Angeles Rams starters to play vs. Arizona Cardinals un Week 18

Sean McVay made an early decision about playing starters in the regular-season finale against the Cardinals.

cardswire.usatoday.com

Play for how long? One quarter?

 

[football karma]

McVay will probably play starters, regardless...however with nothing to play for, it's more symbolic, like preseason. Get a drive or two, then pull the starters.

noted he said "starters will play"

how long and under what circumstances are really the issues

in last year's season finale -- the 49ers starters "played" but for only a quarter and half.

 

[Harry]

Isn't it 2 v 7, 3 v 6 and 4 v 5? Meaning 4 (Division Winner) would host? Or did that change?

• The 49ers' narrow win over the Bears on Sunday night officially eliminated the Rams from division contention. L.A. then worsened its situation on Monday night by falling to the Falcons. Those two outcomes could result in the Rams being cemented into sixth place by Saturday night. If the Niners upset the Seahawks, then the Rams will have nothing to gain in their matchup with the Cardinals on Sunday. However, if the Seahawks prevail, then the Rams, with a win over Arizona, would move into fifth place. In that scenario, L.A. would play at Carolina/Tampa (potential No. 4 seeds) instead of Chicago/Philadelphia (potential No. 3 seeds) during Wild Card Weekend. I imagine most Rams fans would rather see their team take on a squad hovering at or below .500 than face the Bears' offense or the Eagles' defense to open the tournament

From the NFL site

 

[RON_IN_OC]

• The 49ers' narrow win over the Bears on Sunday night officially eliminated the Rams from division contention. L.A. then worsened its situation on Monday night by falling to the Falcons. Those two outcomes could result in the Rams being cemented into sixth place by Saturday night. If the Niners upset the Seahawks, then the Rams will have nothing to gain in their matchup with the Cardinals on Sunday. However, if the Seahawks prevail, then the Rams, with a win over Arizona, would move into fifth place. In that scenario, L.A. would play at Carolina/Tampa (potential No. 4 seeds) instead of Chicago/Philadelphia (potential No. 3 seeds) during Wild Card Weekend. I imagine most Rams fans would rather see their team take on a squad hovering at or below .500 than face the Bears' offense or the Eagles' defense to open the tournament

From the NFL site

So they won't host, regardless.