The Atlanta Falcons (-1.5) are flying west to face the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. This late afternoon matchup is scheduled to get underway at 4:05 p.m. ET and FOX will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons
Arizona is a live dog in this one and is currently getting 1.5 points. The Falcons are also receiving -125 moneyline odds while the Cardinals are +105. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 52 points, and if one team can find paydirt in the early stages, it’ll likely result in a worthwhile in-game betting scenario.
The early action has shifted toward the over, as the game’s total initially opened at only 47.
The Falcons have lost 3.5 units so far and are 1-4 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U mark of 2-3.
The Cardinals have lost 2.0 units this season. The team is 3-2 ATS and has an O/U record of 3-2.
The Falcons have gone 1-4 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Cardinals are 1-3-1 SU.
The Falcons lost to Houston 53-32 in a Week 5 blowout where Matt Ryan completed 32 passes for 330 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Devonta Freeman (just 30 rushing yards on 11 attempts) led the ground attack while Smith (six receptions, 45 yards) and Austin Hooper (six catches, 56 yards) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
Arizona just earned a 26-23 win over Cincinnati last week. Kyler Murray completed 20-of-32 passes for 253 yards. David Johnson (91 yards on 17 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Murray (93 yards on 10 carries, one TD) led the running game as Larry Fitzgerald (six receptions, 58 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Atlanta has run the ball on 29.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Arizona has an overall rush percentage of 36.8 percent. The Falcons have rushed for 67.6 yards/game and have two touchdowns on the ground this year. The Cards are averaging 126.8 rushing yards per game and have four total rush TDs.
The Falcons offensive scheme has logged 331 yards/game in the air overall and has 11 passing TDs so far. The Cards have recorded 264.8 pass yards per contest and have four total pass scores.
Atlanta seems to hold an edge in both defensive phases. The team’s allowed opponents to run for an average of 120.8 yards and throw for 263.2 yards per game. The Arizona defense has allowed 284 yards per game to opposing passers and 138.8 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Falcons have given up an ANY/A of 8.98 to opposing QBs, while the Cards are allowing an ANY/A of 8.53.
Ryan has been more efficient than Murray lately, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 6.29for the season and 6.56 over his last two outings. Murray’s ANY/A is 4.97 for the year and 5.93 across his past two games.
These two franchises faced off last year with the final outcome being a 40-14 win for Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals Free NFL Tip
SU Winner: Cardinals, ATS Winner: Cardinals, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Arizona defense has sacked opposing QBs 12 times this season. Atlanta has registered just five sacks.
- The Arizona offense has lost zero fumbles in 2019 while Atlanta has lost two.
- The Falcons offense has recorded one pass play of 40 or more yards, while the Cardinals have put up four such plays.
- Both defenses have allowed four pass plays of 40 yards or more. The Atlanta defense has given up nine pass plays of 30+ yards while Arizona has yielded seven such plays.
- The Atlanta offense has created four rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Arizona has created three such run.
- The Falcons defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Cardinals have given up one such run.
- The Over/Under for Arizona’s last matchup was set at 46.5. The over cashed in the 26-23 victory over Cincinnati.
- In its last three matchups, Arizona is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three contests, Atlanta is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Atlanta’s previous game going into it was 49.5. The over cashed in the team’s 53-32 defeat to Houston.
- Atlanta has averaged 3.6 yards per rush attempt over its past three games and 3.1 over its last two.
- Arizona has averaged 6.0 yards per carry over its last three contests and 6.2 over its last two.
