The rough games continue on Thursday Night Football, as this week we head to Arizona to see the New Orleans Saints (2-4) take on the Arizona Cardinals (2-4). With both sides looking very much like non-playoff teams, the loser here can just about pack up and look forward to the draft. Unfortunately for the Saints, they traded their first-round pick for next year, so fans can’t even get excited about a high draft pick.
On Monday Night Football, another Broncos Primetime game produced yet another stinker, although it was a tight overtime finish. We got a little lucky in this one with our best bet, however the Chargers were the better team for 3 ½ quarters. Our season record now sits at 9-1-5 (+7.52u) in primetime, and we will try and pick another winner here.
New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals Preview & Betting Tips
University of Phoenix Stadium, Friday 11:15am AEDT
Last Week
The Saints were decimated by injury last week, having to take on the Bengals without their QB1 Jameis Winston and top 3 receivers. Despite this, the Saints managed to hold a 23-21 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter, however eventually lost out to some inspired play by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. The Saints managed to dominate on the ground, running for 228 yards at 6.7 yards per rush, however, gave up 7.4 yards per pass play to the Bengals in a stinging indictment of where their defence is this season. Regardless of the injuries, this Saints team just doesn’t appear to be there this season, and I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see them struggling for many wins moving forward.
The Cardinals were horrible last week, in an NFC West Divisional matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. The yards and yards per play stats were comparable, with both teams able to move the ball between the 20s, however with a 4 of 16 3rd down conversion rate and 0 for 2 redzone conversions, the Cardinals struggled where it mattered most. Despite this, the Cardinals had to be somewhat happy with their defence, given they held the previously high scoring Seahawks to only 19 points and one touchdown.
Injury Report
New Orleans Saints
Calvin Throckmorton (OT) – QUESTIONABLE
Jameis Winston / Andy Dalton (QB) – QUESTIONABLE
Mark Ingram (RB) – QUESTIONABLE
Marshon Latimore (CB) - OUT
Paulson Adebo (CB) – QUESTIONABLE
Michael Thomas / Jarvis Landry (WR) – OUT
Ethan Greenidge / Trevor Penning (OT) – OUT
Smoke Monday (SAF) – OUT
Forrest Lamp / Andrus Peat (OG) – OUT
Arizona Cardinals
Rodney Hudson (C) – OUT
Trayvon Mullen (CB) – QUESTIONABLE
James Conner (RB) – QUESTIONABLE
Darrel Williams (RB) - OUT
Matt Prater (K) – QUESTIONABLE
Marquise Brown (WR) – OUT
Justin Pugh (OG) – OUT
Zaven Collins (ILB) – QUESTIONABLE
Match Preview
Both teams come into this matchup with a huge injury list, with the Saints missing top end receivers Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry, whilst also going without their shutdown corner Marshon Lattimore. There is also mystery around who will start at quarterback, with rumours swirling that Jameis Winston will be back, but Head Coach Dennis Allen is refusing to confirm who will start.
The Cardinals have been horrific this season, with a tight loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and a come-from-behind victory over the Raiders their biggest highlights. Their loss last week to a below average Seattle Seahawks shows where the Cardinals lie in the landscape of the NFL, and that is squarely towards the bottom. In good news, they welcome back WR1 DeAndre Hopkins, and it’ll be interesting if he can come straight in and get this offense humming.
Given the uncertainty, particularly at quarterback, and the sheer number of injuries to both teams, betting a side in this game is exceedingly difficult. My number is Cardinals -1; however, the number has been hovering around Cardinals -2 / -2.5 all week and based on the injuries to the Saints I can understand why. If this manages to get to 3, I will strongly consider betting the Saints, however at the time of writing I have not bet.
So, to the totals we go, and this makes me nervous. Thursday Night Football, and primetime games in general, have been heavy unders all year, but I’m going an over. The number is low, 43.5, and for two teams that are struggling defensively I’m going overs in this game. The Saints have somehow managed to keep scoring, despite their quarterback changing on a seemingly weekly basis, and the Cardinals offense is going to want to ball out this week after their poor effort last week against the Seahawks.
I loathe betting totals, and as such this will be a small stake; however, I’m taking the over 43.5 to get the key number of 44.
Alternate Bet: Saints (+3) @ $1.90 or better if it pops up
Over 43.5 points
$1.91 (1 Unit)
