2020 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 17

Arizona Cardinals (8-7) at Los Angeles Rams (9-6)

Sunday, January 3, 4:25PM ET

Jared Goff picked the worst time to break his thumb. As if the Los Angeles Rams weren’t already riding a three-game losing streak and on the verge of getting booted from playoff contention, they face off against a team that’s in a win-and-in scenario.

The only saving grace for the Rams is that, if the Chicago Bears lose to the Green Bay Packers, they’ll still sneak in as a seventh seed. While that’s not the ideal way to make the playoffs, that’ll be exactly what happens if things shake out the way I’m predicting they will.

I’m just having a hard time going with a Rams team that’s set to start John Wolford at quarterback. Even with Blake Bortles possibly returning in a backup role, things could get ugly in a hurry. Even Los Angeles’ outstanding defense may not be enough to make up for having someone who’s never played in an NFL game under center in the biggest game of the season.

Kyler Murray works just enough magic to put up a fair amount of points on the Rams, while Los Angeles’ offense sputters under Wolford’s inexperience. Still, both teams get in and the NFC West continues to prove just how tough of a division it is.

Prediction: Cardinals win 28-9