New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Preview
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale, AZ
When: Sunday, December 18, 2016, 4:05 PM ET
Line: New Orleans Saints (+2.5) at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5); total: 50.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
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Betting on the New Orleans Saints (+2.5)
The Saints added another ugly game to their horrid season. They are now 5-8 (7-5-1 ATS) and are bound to miss the playoffs for the third straight year.
In Sunday’s 16-11 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Drew Brees had no TDs and was picked off three times, one of which sealed the game. The abysmal performance resulted to a 48.5 passer rating, his lowest in 12 years. It wasn’t only the QB that struggled, though, as the running game was nowhere to be seen, rushing for a season-low 46 yards. RBs Mark Ingram and Tim Hightower combined for 14 carries and 45 yards on 3.2 yards per carry.
Against the Cardinals defense, the whole Saints squad could be in yet another awful outing. In their encounter last season, the Cards pounded them for a 31-19 win. Brees played well (355 yards, one TD and INT), but the defense didn’t, allowing 427 total offense.
Not much improvement has been made on defense since, particularly on the pass, as they are allowing the second-most passing yards in the league this season (269.6 per game).
The Saints are 2-4 SU (4-1-1 ATS) in their six road games this season.
Betting on the Arizona Cardinals (-2.5)
With a 5-7-1 (4-9 ATS) record, the Cardinals are arguably the most disappointing team this year. They are currently the 10th seed in the NFC and only have a slim chance of cracking a playoff spot.
Should the team lose this upcoming game, they will officially fail to have a three-game winning streak this season, which will be the first time it doesn’t happen under head coach Bruce Arians.
In trying to end the season on a high note, expect David Johnson to produce big yardage. The versatile back has been the picture of consistency, as evidenced by him having 100 yards of total offense in every game this season. He’s currently ahead of everyone in the yards from scrimmage category, with 1,830 total yards (140.7 per game).
Although the ground attack could be challenging, with the Saints holding five of their last seven foes to under 100 rushing yards, Johnson and the other backs should be able to easily make up for it in getting a good amount through the air.
On defense, they’ll have to be better too. Last Sunday against the Dolphins, the D allowed Ryan Tannehill to complete 15 of his 20 passes and gave up three passing TDs. The Dolphins’ two receivers, Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills, burned the Cards’ secondary by combining for 200 yards on 20 yards per catch, along with one TD.
The Cardinals couldn’t also capitalize on the Dolphins getting penalized 14 times for 118 yards.
In their seven home games this season, the Cards are 4-2-1 SU (3-4 ATS).
Writer’s Prediction
The Cardinals (-2.5) win, 24-20.
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