Cardinals vs. Rams 2015 picks and predictions: Experts unanimously taking Arizona

The Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams have been going in opposite directions since their Week 4 matchup when the Rams upset the Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Many thought that win might be the start of something special for the Rams. Todd Gurley had his coming out party, the defense was as dominant as ever and things were generally looking up in St. Louis. It has been a nightmare ever since, with the Rams losing five of their next seven games and all of their last four. Their only wins in that stretch have been over the lowly Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. At 4-7, their playoff hopes are rapidly dwindling.

Jeff Fisher made a change at quarterback after Week 10, benching Nick Foles for Case Keenum. However, Keenum suffered a concussion in Week 11 and had to sit out last week’s game. He is questionable to return this week, but it might not matter who’s under center against the Cardinals’ defense, which ranks fourth in DVOA.

The Cardinals bounced back just fine from that loss to the Rams and now have a stranglehold over the division with a 9-2 record. One potential speed bump is the loss of Chris Johnson, who suffered a fractured tibia in Week 12. Johnson was placed on the injured reserve with a designation to return, which means he won’t be eligible to play again until the Super Bowl, if the Cardinals make it that far. With Andre Ellington battling a toe injury, David Johnson will now be the full-time starter in the backfield.

Despite the loss of Chris Johnson, you won’t find many people online willing to pick the Rams this time around. Every writer at both CBS Sports and SB Nation predicted the Cardinals to take care of business.