# Cardinals vs Rams predictions, graded

Week 6, 2026: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams

Oct 18, 2026 · final: Cardinals 18, Rams 16 · 33 calls on record · updated Oct 19, 9:19 AM ET

Who do pundits pick in Cardinals vs Rams? Of 26 pundits with a call on record, all 26 take the Rams. 4 named a score; the median has the Rams by 13. The Cardinals won 18-16, so 0 of 26 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 4 out of 100.

Picks by outlet. Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.

- [Sports Illustrated](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated): all 9 Rams
- [CBS Sports](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/cbs-sports): all 3 Rams
- [Locked On Rams (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/locked-on-rams-podcast): all 3 Rams
- [Check the Mic (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/check-the-mic-podcast): all 2 Rams
- [Chris Simms Unbuttoned (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/chris-simms-unbuttoned-podcast): all 2 Rams
- [The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/the-richard-sherman-podcast-podcast): all 2 Rams

The other 5 pundits write or talk elsewhere: all 5 Rams.

Page: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-6-cardinals-at-rams

Picks:

- [Connor Rogers](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/connor-rogers) took the Rams; said Oct 16, 2026; on Chris Simms Unbuttoned (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/90d3ddfa-810c-458f-8462-4f65d1e657f1
- [Chris Simms](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chris-simms) took the Rams, Rams 37–Cardinals 24; said Oct 16, 2026; on Chris Simms Unbuttoned (podcast); scored 23.81 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 45.6) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/4f810492-4a16-44b4-a36e-dcfc43ac96b4
- [Pete Prisco](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pete-prisco) took the Rams, Rams 35–Cardinals 20; said Oct 16, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 19.05 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 45.6) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/98e65ad3-7167-423c-bc20-a0de9a4e4611
- [Chris Long](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chris-long) took the Rams; said Oct 16, 2026; on Green Light with Chris Long (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/6f9755e8-1ad0-4305-a05a-e63147eab7bc
- [Pardon My Take](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pardon-my-take) took the Rams; said Oct 16, 2026; on Pardon My Take (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3f61e238-4e19-48bb-9067-f58794999aa6
- [Steve Palazzolo](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/steve-palazzolo) took the Rams; said Oct 15, 2026; on Check the Mic (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9df7b2b4-5c61-42ec-8ba9-559ffd3a61c6
- [Sam Monson](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/sam-monson) took the Rams; said Oct 15, 2026; on Check the Mic (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/bb378717-03e8-407a-b159-807105593035
- [Steve Palazzolo](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/steve-palazzolo) took the Rams; said Oct 15, 2026; on Check the Mic (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9df7b2b4-5c61-42ec-8ba9-559ffd3a61c6
- [Albert Breer](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/albert-breer) took the Rams; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/52507147-c6d5-40e4-b363-cf4b613d9c96
- [Mike Kadlick](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mike-kadlick) took the Rams; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fa95a096-b860-4ecb-961a-fb6a63a76bd0
- [Gilberto Manzano](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/gilberto-manzano) took the Rams; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ed27b875-fdd0-46f5-acbf-4775e7447ecb
- [Matt Verderame](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/matt-verderame) took the Rams; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b82668d7-7cde-4737-995a-33971b92f440
- [Conor Orr](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/conor-orr) took the Rams; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7d76979e-8b38-4a07-bfe8-1d5944db6fa3
- [Eva Geitheim](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/eva-geitheim) took the Rams; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b980761c-efc2-43f2-9442-104588188d6c
- [John Pluym](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-pluym) took the Rams; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/274ca944-1d32-49d8-8647-5ce3e0c8ea09
- [Mitch Goldich](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mitch-goldich) took the Rams; said Oct 15, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7918f8b7-1467-4a59-ae36-48e9b81f72a2
- [Mitchell Eisenstein](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mitchell-eisenstein) took the Rams; said Oct 14, 2026; on The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ff01c53e-6d61-46b5-944c-d4230e0edac4
- [Richard Sherman](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/richard-sherman) took the Rams; said Oct 14, 2026; on The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cba1ab87-c59a-4697-9170-a6425317535b
- [Tyler Sullivan](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tyler-sullivan) took the Rams, Rams 30–Cardinals 17; said Oct 14, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 23.81 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 45.6) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fd5d9e28-2a59-4c8e-b26c-7404e58b13a4
- [Pete Prisco](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pete-prisco) took the Rams, Rams 35–Cardinals 20; said Oct 14, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 19.05 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 45.6) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/55078747-a46c-46d7-829a-5ca19a3233f1
- [John Breech](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-breech) took the Rams, Rams 30–Cardinals 20; said Oct 13, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 30.95 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 45.6) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/dd50ac69-1942-4821-9142-3e570ca82c47
- [Mike Florio](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mike-florio) took the Rams; said Oct 13, 2026; on NBC Sports; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ca2823cb-6b09-439d-93d2-9549f693232c
- [Blaine Grisak](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/blaine-grisak) took the Rams; said Oct 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ed2f394b-966a-4bd4-90d3-5dfabb82b478
- [Walt](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/walt) took the Rams; said Aug 1, 2026; on Walter Football; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/94ec46b8-3867-42f7-b18a-824530549489
- [O'Shea Jackson Jr.](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/o-shea-jackson-jr) took the Rams; said May 29, 2026; on The Rich Eisen Show (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d56386d9-bfad-4790-855e-65fdbb116735
- [O'Shea Jackson Jr.](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/o-shea-jackson-jr) took the Rams; said May 29, 2026; on The Rich Eisen Show (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d56386d9-bfad-4790-855e-65fdbb116735
- [Michael Brockers](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/michael-brockers) took the Rams; said May 19, 2026; on Locked On Rams (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e7d13468-d30b-4b62-95a8-1fbd66171345
- [Gavin Carlson](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/gavin-carlson) took the Rams; said May 19, 2026; on Locked On Rams (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/204238c3-a246-4c2a-a708-95c2390df560
- [Rob Bushka](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/rob-bushka) took the Rams; said May 19, 2026; on Locked On Rams (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c93b88cb-d927-4b77-8e1f-f6651712338e
- [Gavin Carlson](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/gavin-carlson) took the Rams; said May 19, 2026; on Locked On Rams (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/204238c3-a246-4c2a-a708-95c2390df560
- [Rob Bushka](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/rob-bushka) took the Rams; said May 19, 2026; on Locked On Rams (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c93b88cb-d927-4b77-8e1f-f6651712338e
- [Michael Brockers](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/michael-brockers) took the Rams; said May 19, 2026; on Locked On Rams (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e7d13468-d30b-4b62-95a8-1fbd66171345

## How they came in

The Cardinals are 1-4 and have lost 4 straight; the Rams are 2-3. It is a division game. On win totals, 8 pundits put the Cardinals at 4.8 wins on average, and 15 pundits put the Rams at 11.8 wins on average.

Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

- Arizona Cardinals: 1-4, lost 4 straight (108 scored, 162 allowed)
  - Last games: L 21-45 vs Lions; L 24-36 at Giants; L 30-36 at 49ers
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 26th, defense 30th of 32
  - Last season: 3-14
  - Win-total calls: 8 pundits, average 4.8, 1 to 9 wins
  - The side most pundits took won 3 of 5 Cardinals games
- Los Angeles Rams: 2-3 (119 scored, 120 allowed)
  - Last games: L 34-37 vs Bills; W 24-20 at Eagles; L 26-30 at Broncos
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 10th, defense 13th of 32
  - Last season: 12-5
  - Win-total calls: 17 pundits, average 11.8, 3 to 17 wins
  - The side most pundits took won 3 of 5 Rams games

## Players to watch

Each club's starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit ranked on the leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick, made since the 2026 schedule came out ("No." is that rank). Leaderboard: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/leaderboard

- [Gardner Minshew](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/gardner-minshew) (Starting QB, QB): 354 passing yards · 3 TD, 0 INT · 71.7% completions · 2 games; 41st in the NFL in passing yards
  - No. 7 Donnie Druin, Nov 1, 2026: Gardner Minshew to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 18 Carter Bahns, Oct 13, 2026: Gardner Minshew to stay put (not settled yet)
- [Tyler Allgeier](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tyler-allgeier) (RB1, RB): 369 rushing yards on 89 carries · 3 TD · 23 catches for 128 · 9 games; 25th in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 7 Donnie Druin, Sep 6, 2026: Tyler Allgeier to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 7, 2026: Tyler Allgeier to finish top 49 at his position, by fantasy points (not settled yet)
- [Michael Wilson](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/michael-wilson) (WR1, WR): 51 catches for 546 yards · 2 TD · 9 games; 18th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Sep 3, 2026: Michael Wilson to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Oct 3, 2026: Michael Wilson to be 2nd on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Trey McBride](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/trey-mcbride) (TE1, TE): 73 catches for 598 yards · 5 TD · 9 games; 16th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Sep 4, 2026: Trey McBride to fall short of his draft cost (a top-20 ADP) (not settled yet)
  - No. 24 Rich Hribar, Jul 30, 2026: Trey McBride to fall short of his draft cost (the second round of non-TE Premium drafts) (not settled yet)
- [Budda Baker](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/budda-baker) (Sack leader, Tackle leader, S): 3.5 sacks · 29 solo tackles · 1 interception · 9 games; 42nd in the NFL in sacks; 56th in the NFL in solo tackles
  - No. 7 Donnie Druin, Nov 4, 2026: Budda Baker to move — “next on the trade block” (not settled yet)
  - No. 18 Carter Bahns, Oct 20, 2026: Budda Baker to move to Buffalo Bills (not settled yet)
- [Matthew Stafford](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/matthew-stafford) (Starting QB, QB): 2,374 passing yards · 16 TD, 9 INT · 66.5% completions · 9 games; 4th in the NFL in passing yards
  - No. 5 Tom Pelissero, May 22, 2026: Matthew Stafford to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 11, 2026: Matthew Stafford to outplay his draft cost (the middle rounds) (not settled yet)
- [Kyren Williams](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kyren-williams) (RB1, RB): 593 rushing yards on 127 carries · 7 TD · 36 catches for 258 · 9 games; 13th in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 22, 2026: Kyren Williams to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 20 Jake Ciely, Jul 20, 2026: Kyren Williams to outplay his draft cost (third round) (not settled yet)
- [Puka Nacua](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/puka-nacua) (WR1, WR): 70 catches for 715 yards · 4 TD · 7 games; 7th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 5 Tom Pelissero, Oct 2, 2026: it appears to be, as far as I know, all systems go for him to be back against Stevens (vs. Philadelphia, Week 4) (not settled yet)
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Nov 11, 2026: “it might even be worth trading Gordon for Puka Nacua, who should be back in time to help you in Weeks 15-17.” (not settled yet)
- [Tyler Higbee](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tyler-higbee) (TE1, TE): 28 catches for 287 yards · 1 TD · 8 games; 74th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 28 Mike Renner, Jun 24, 2026: Tyler Higbee: a roster call with no direction stated (not settled yet)
- [Byron Young](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/byron-young-9137) (Sack leader, LB): 4.5 sacks · 15 solo tackles · 9 games; 22nd in the NFL in sacks
- [Quentin Lake](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/quentin-lake) (Tackle leader, S): 37 solo tackles · 3 interceptions · 9 games; 13th in the NFL in solo tackles

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The room is counted in pundits, each one's latest call standing. Accuracy is out of 100; the naive pick is the home team.
The week: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-6
Method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology