Cardinals-Rams player props: A heavy-metal divisional rubber match

As we wrap up Super Wild Card Weekend in Los Angeles, we've used the Godfather of Soul, Buffalo's biggest musical export, the country crooning of Kenny Chesney, a powerful dual threat in Dallas, and some Kansas City Jazz to help us find the right vibes for some player prop profits. We're going to pick up the pace in a big way to finish up the week with L.A.-based Metallica.

"Hero Of The Day"

Since becoming the lead tailback in Week 13, Rams running back Sony Michel had ran for at least 74 yards until last week's game against the 49ers. Cam Akers returned last week and got 20% of the snaps, and while no one likes Akers more than me, there's no reason for Michel to take a back seat to someone coming off Achilles tendon surgery.

This is the playoffs, and it's all about winning. "Nothing Else Matters." We might be getting a lower number on the assumption that Michel won't get the workload he's grown accustomed to.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals have been gashed in the run game during the latter half of the season.

GAME	CARRIES-YARDS
vs. CAR	31-146
@ SEA	17-84
@ CHI	25-106
vs. LAR	20-79
@ DET	33-121
vs. IND	30-119
@ DAL	12-25
vs. SEA	25-195

When teams took a high-volume running approach against the Cardinals, they went 5-2. If the Rams run the ball 25 times and the carry split is just 18-7 in favor of Michel, he can clear this number by averaging less than four yards per carry.

Pick: Michel over 56.5 rushing yards

A TD that's definitely going to happen

Tyler Higbee found the end zone twice in Week 18, but they were just his fourth and fifth touchdowns of the season. That's why this number has a bigger payout than we usually see in our tongue-in-cheek guarantee. Maybe Sean McVay is looking to "Ride The Lightning" that Matthew Stafford found with Higbee last week.

More importantly, when healthy, Higbee plays every snap for the Rams, who are thin at tight end. On five occasions this season, Higbee's played 100% of the offensive snaps. At +250, the "Memory Remains" from last week, and we can't pass it up.

Pick: Higbee anytime touchdown (+250)

A TD that probably won't happen ... but maybe it does

Kliff Kingsbury is never going to be accused of being a "Master Of Puppets," but he excels in calling an offense. Even though a late-season collapse will make Kingsbury "The Unforgiven," he still has a proven ability to put the tools at his disposal to good use.

Demetrius Harris missed the last two regular-season games with a shoulder injury but was a full participant in Friday's practice. That means he'll likely be available Monday night. While he's not a household name, Harris played in close to a third of the Cardinals' offensive snaps after their bye week before getting hurt. As a 6-7 target in the red zone, he may get a chance for a score. When it comes to a long shot's value, all it takes is "One."

Pick: Harris anytime touchdown (+1500)

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.

Copyright (C) 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.