Two NFC teams that experienced very different seasons a year ago will square off on Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium when the Arizona Cardinals host the New Orleans Saints off a successful 11-5 campaign both straight-up and against the spread.
Arizona won nine of its first 10 games, covering eight of them, and the team hopes to have a healthy Carson Palmer back in the lineup at quarterback after he missed the last 10 games of last season due to a torn ACL.
Meanwhile, the Saints suffered through an extremely disappointing campaign, just missing out on the postseason despite finishing 7-9. New Orleans failed to beat the number in four of its first five games and then went 2-6 against the spread in the second half.
Drew Brees also fell just short of passing for 5,000 yards in four straight years and will be without top target Jimmy Graham, as the All-Pro tight end was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Bettors who were going with the Arizona Cardinals in this one found them listed as -3-point favorites on the betting line at Sportsbook. Fans betting on totals have seen that number set earlier in the week at 48 for Sunday.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 28-25 win for the Cardinals. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Arizona bring a 11-6 record (11-6 ATS) to the Week 1 betting matchup against the 7-9 New Orleans Saints, who are 6-10 ATS against the spread. Over under betting has seen Arizona go 6-10-1 so far and the Saints go 10-6. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Arizona vs New Orleans injuries news.
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark have the No. 15-rated New Orleans Saints taking on the No. 21-rated Arizona Cardinals in this betting contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Arizona Cardinals No. 24-ranked offense (19.18 PPG) against a New Orleans Saints defense that ranks No. 28 at 26.5 PPG. The Cardinals passing attack has averaged 227 yards per game, less than the Saints give up through the air (251.19 YPG on average).
Defensively, the New Orleans Saints feature the league's No. 25-rated road run defense, allowing 126.75 yards per game. The Arizona Cardinals, meanwhile, ranks No. 32 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Saints grabbed a Week 17 victory over the Buccaneers in their last game, winning 23-20 at Raymond James Stadium.
In their last game, the Cardinals were Wild-Card Playoff losers coming out on the wrong end of 27-16 score against Carolina.
- New Orleans is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
- New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- New Orleans is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Arizona
- Arizona is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games
- Arizona is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
- Arizona is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
- Arizona is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
New Orleans home to Tampa Bay, Sunday, September 20th
Arizona at Chicago, Sunday, September 20th