The NFL will maintain its first-ever playoff recreation in a Monday evening slot tonight, and a pair of former Texas highschool quarterbacks may have a shootout at SoFi Stadium, web site of this yr's Tremendous Bowl.

The Arizona Cardinals, led by quarterback Kyler Murray, will face Matt Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams Monday evening in Inglewood, California.

The 2 sign callers who each performed their prep ball within the Dallas space will meet for an opportunity to advance their professional groups to the NFL's divisional spherical subsequent Sunday (Jan. 23).

Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a play through the first half towards the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. Photograph by Tom Pennington/Getty Pictures

The winner of this recreation will get a date with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 23 in Tampa.

Stafford led Highland Park Excessive Faculty to a state championship in 2005 earlier than heading to the College of Georgia. A number of years later, Murray led Allen Excessive Faculty to three-consecutive state championships (2012-14) and an undefeated document in that span. Murray had a short stint at Texas A&M earlier than transferring to the College of Oklahoma, the place he received the Heisman Trophy.

Murray was a No. 1 draft decide who helped resurrect the Cardinals franchise, and Stafford resurrected his profession this yr after an offseason commerce despatched him to Los Angeles from Detroit.

Here is every part to know concerning the Cardinals-Rams recreation on Monday evening.

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, 8:15 p.m ET
SoFi Stadium

Information: Arizona (11-6); Los Angeles (12-5)

Referee: Clay Martin

TV: ABC/ESPN/ESPN2
Nationwide Radio: Westwood One
SIRIUS: 81 (AZ), 83 (LAR), 88 (Nationwide)
XM: 226 (AZ), 225 (LAR), 88 (Nationwide)
SXM App: 800 (AZ), 818 (LAR)

Favourite: Los Angeles (-3.5) — In accordance with FanDuel
Over/Below: 49.5

Climate: Indoors

All-time head-to-head: Rams lead, 45-39-2
Playoffs head-to-head: Rams lead, 1-0

All-time playoff data: Cardinals (7-9, .438); Rams (22-27, .449)

Final postseason recreation:

Arizona — Misplaced, 49-15 at Carolina (1/24/16)

Los Angeles Rams — Misplaced, 32-18 at Inexperienced Bay (1/16/21)

Fast Hits

  • Rams coach Sean McVay is making his fourth playoff look since 2017 whereas Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury is making his playoff debut as a head coach.
  • Rams receiver Cooper Kupp this season turned simply the fourth fourth participant since 1970 to guide NFL in receptions, receiving yards and receiving yards in the identical season.
  • The Cardinals this season turned solely the third workforce to ever to win seven-consecutive street video games by 10 or factors every, matching a feat solely achieved by the 1968 Dallas Cowboys and 1984 San Francisco 49ers.
  • Rams quarterback Matt Stafford in 2021 ranked second within the league for landing passes (41), third in passing yards (4,886) and sixth in QB score (102.9).
  • Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray this season turned the primary QB in NFL historical past to go for 70 or extra touchdowns (70) and rush for 20-plus touchdowns (20) by means of the primary three seasons of his profession.
  • Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald, together with his 12.5 sacks this season, is the one participant within the league with 10 or extra sacks in every of previous 5 seasons.