Two teams in desperate need of wins meet when the 6-6 Patriots visit the 4-8 Cardinals for this week’s edition of NFL Monday night betting action. New England’s lost its last two times out but still only sits a game out of a playoff spot. Arizona, on the other hand, teeters on the edge of elimination.
How are we playing this game with our free Pats/Cards pick?
NFL Betting Lines
The Week 14 NFL betting odds opened New England as a one-point road favorite for Monday night, with an over/under of right around 44. Early betting action then edged the Patriots to -1.5.
Patriots Betting Preview
New England reached 6-4 a few weeks ago but is 0-2 both SU and ATS its last two times out after falling at home to Buffalo last Thursday 24-10. The Patriots led that game 7-3 into the second quarter but trailed 17-7 at the half. The Pats then gave up the first seven points of the second half and mounted little retort from there. They also came up short ATS as four-point home dogs.
New England got out-gained by the Bills 355-242, out-rushed 132-60, and lost time of possession by a 39:21 gap. In fact, the Patriots’ only touchdown of the game came on a 48-yard screen pass scamper by a guy who doesn’t even play on offense.
New England’s actually out-gained three of its last four opponents, but it’s also averaging just 69 yards per game on the ground over that span.
Two weeks ago, the Patriots led at Minnesota 26-23 into the fourth quarter but came up empty from there and lost 33-26. Prior to that, though, New England won three straight, allowing just 23 total points.
At 6-6 overall, the Patriots only trail the 7-5 Jets by one game in the battle for the No. 7 spot in the AFC playoff standings. And they own the head-to-head tie-breaker on New York thanks to sweeping the season series.
Cardinals Betting Preview
Arizona, meanwhile, is just 1-4 its last five times out after losing at home to the Chargers two weeks ago 25-24. The Cardinals then had last week off.
Arizona, with Kyler Murray back behind center, scored the first 10 points of the game against Los Angeles and led 17-14 at the half. The Cardinals later led 24-17 in the last half-minute but gave up a Chargers touchdown and a 2-point conversion to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Arizona out-gained Los Angeles 366-311 and out-rushed the Chargers 181-65 but lost the turnover battle 2-0, which cost them seven points, and missed a field goal. Near the end, the Cardinals had the lead and the ball but couldn’t run out the clock, leaving LA just enough time for one last drive.
Two games ago, without Murray, Arizona lost to San Francisco in Mexico City 38-10.
At 4-8 overall, the Cardinals trail 7-5 Seattle by three games in the battle for the No. 7 spot in the NFC playoff standings, with five games to go. And good luck with that.
For what it’s worth, these two teams have played just one common opponent so far this season; Minnesota. Arizona, with Murray, lost to the Vikings 34-26 back in October, while New England, as mentioned above, fell to the Vikes two weeks ago 33-26. The Patriots actually out-gained Minnesota by 51 yards, while the Cardinals got out-gained by the Vikings by six yards.
On the injury front, both these teams are banged-up along the offensive lines, among other places.
Patriots-Cardinals History
These teams have only met 15 times before, once as Boston vs. St. Louis, the Patriots winning eight. Most recently, two seasons ago, a Cam Newton-quarterbacked New England team kicked a field goal at the buzzer to beat Arizona 20-17.
- Get more details: New England at Arizona 12/12/22 Betting Stats
NFL Betting Trends
Through Thursday night, home teams are 106-82 SU and 100-87 ATS in the NFL this season.
Through Thursday night, favorites are 122-71 SU and 86-105 ATS in the NFL this season.
Through Thursday night, home dogs are 38-39 SU and 47-30 ATS in the NFL this season.
Totals Report
- The Unders are 7-5 in Patriots games this season which are averaging 40 total points.
- The Overs are 7-5 in Cardinals games this season and are averaging 49 points.
- Through Thursday night, the Unders are 112-82 in the NFL this season.
