The Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints will go head-to-head on the dome at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. This vital early afternoon game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET and CBS is in line to have the TV rights.
Week 8 Betting Preview: Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints
Arizona is a noticeable road underdog in this NFC game and is currently being given 9 points. The Cardinals are also receiving +270 moneyline odds while the Saints are -350. If one team can get out in front early it’ll create a solid live betting opportunity. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 48.5 points.
The Cardinals have gained 0.7 units so far in 2019 and are 5-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 4-3.
The surprising Saints have gained 6.7 units this season. The team is 5-2 ATS and also has an O/U record of 4-3.
The Cardinals are 3-3-1 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Saints are 6-1 SU.
The Cardinals are coming off a 27-21 win over the Giants last weekTheir defense gave up 107 yards on 22 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Golden Tate had a productive day for the Giants in that one with 80 yards on six catches. On the offense, Kyler Murray completed 14-of-21 passes for only 104 yards. Chase Edmonds (126 rushing yards on 27 attempts, three TDs) and the signal-caller Murray (28 yards on 10 carries) led the ground attack. Pharoh Cooper (four receptions, 29 yards) and Edmonds (two catches, 24 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
The New Orleans Saints are coming off of a 36-25 win over Chicago in Week 7. The defensive secondary allowed the Bears to air it out for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Allen Robinson II had a productive showing in the defeat, recording 87 yards on 10 catches for Chicago. For New Orleans, Teddy Bridgewater completed 23-of-38 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Latavius Murray (119 rushing yards on 27 attempts, two TDs) led the running game as Michael Thomas (nine receptions, 131 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
In terms of offensive play-calling, each team has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Arizona’s run the ball on 41.5 percent of its offensive possessions while New Orleans has a rush percentage of 42.8. Having said that, the Cardinals have run for 127.4 yards/game and have eight touchdowns on the ground this year. The Saints haven’t been quite as successful, as they’re logging 111 rush yards per game and have four total rushing TDs.
It seems like the Saints ought to hold an edge when it comes to quarterback protection, since their offensive line has given up just 12 sacks while the D-line has registered 20 sacks. The Cardinals O-line has allowed 23 sacks and their defense has got to opposing signal-callerss on just 22 occasions.
The Cards offense has logged 252.6 yards/game in the air overall and has seven passing TDs so far. The Saints have put up 258.4 pass yards per contest and have 11 total pass scores.
Defensively, Arizona has allowed opponents to run for an average of 129.1 yards and throw for 285.6 yards per game. The New Orleans D has given up 256.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 90.6 yards per game on the ground. The Saints are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 6.37 to opposing QBs, while the Cardinals have allowed an 8.01 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Murray has amassed 1,428 yards this year. The signal-caller has connected on 63 percent of his 222 attempts with four passing scores and four interceptions. Murray’s got a 4.79 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 8.15 over the past two outings.
In the other locker room, Teddy Bridgewater has completed 108-of-159 passes for 1,130 yards, eight TDs and two INTs. Bridgewater’s ANY/A stands at 6.78 for the year and 7.12 over his last two games.
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints NFL Pick
SU Winner: Saints, ATS Winner: Saints, O/U: Under
Betting Notes
- The O/U for Arizona’s last game was set at 50. The under cashed in the team’s 27-21 victory over the Giants.
- As a team, Arizona has produced 5.0 yards per carry across its last three outings and 3.9 over its last two.
- New Orleans has averaged 4.0 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.2 over its past two.
- The New Orleans offense has lost one fumble this season while Arizona has not lost any.
- In its last three games, Arizona is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for New Orleans’ last game was set at 37. The over cashed in the 36-25 triumph over Chicago.
- In its last three matchups, New Orleans is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Cardinals offense has tallied five pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Saints have accounted for four such plays.
- The Arizona defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 yards or more, while New Orleans has given up five such plays.
- The Arizona offense has created six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while New Orleans has created three such runs.
- The Cardinals defense has allowed two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Saints have given up four such runs.
- The Arizona D has 22 sacks on the year while New Orleans has 20.
