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Edgar Chaput
Patriots vs. Cardinals Point Spread: NFL Week 15 Odds, Prediction
Not so long ago the Arizona Cardinals were 6-4 and considered by some to be a serious contender for the NFC West crown. Now at 6-7, things are looking dire, especially after getting manhandled 30-18 at home by the Seattle Seahawks last week. The next opportunity comes in the shape of the 3-10 New England Patriots, who were on a bye last week. They were last seen in action a fortnight ago when they fell to the Indianapolis Colts, 25-24.
Our NFL odds think the Cardinals will pull through, having pegged them as -5.5 favourites.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The last time the Cardinals got the better of the Patriots was a long time ago. We have to go back to 2012 when the Kevin Kolb-quarterbacked Cards pulled off a 20-18 upset when visiting the Tom Brady-led Pats.
Since then, the Massachusetts-based franchise has rattled three wins in a row over their desert-based foes.
Few would have argued that there was much to look forward to this season in New England. With Brady and Belichick gone, a proper rebuild was in order. It’s been more difficult than necessary given the 3-10 outright record, but that’s how the cookie crumbles. They’re a bottom-two team in total yards amassed per match (290.9), passing yards (171.5), and points (17.0) per game. For what it’s worth, the club is 5-7-1 ATS, so betters might find reasons to believe in them, if not many.
Funnily, the only people excited about Arizona are probably betters. At 8-5 ATS, the team has fared relatively well this season. That said, the team has failed to cover two of its three most recent opportunities. More problematic is the three-game straight-up losing streak, which is putting those wages on the Cards winning the division in serious jeopardy. QB Kyler Murray, fully healthy for once, has thrown three TDS to five picks in the last three games.
New England Patriots
There are always growing pains when a franchise engages in a rebuild, whether they like it or not. Such was the case two weeks ago when the Patriots let victory slip through their fingers in a crushing 25-24 defeat to the visiting Colts.
New England led 24-17 late in the fourth quarter, but could not prevent Indy from scoring a TD with 12 seconds remaining and converting a two-point try. On the plus side, it was one of the QB Drake Maye’s better outings as he finished the day 24-for-30 for 238 yards, a TD and a pick. Although he’s thrown at least one interception in each of his last five contests he’s also tossed at least one touchdown every week. RB Rhamondre Stevenson has rushed for over 70 yards in three of his past four games, which might bode well against a Cardinals defence that’s quite average against the run (121.8 yards per game, 18th).
Look for TE Hunter Henry to continue being a warm blanket for his young QB. Henry averages 10.5 yards per catch this season.
Arizona Cardinals
There are shades of 2021 going on. That year, the Murray-led attack was sensational for about half a season. He missed some time because of an injury, and the club was never the same. They stumbled into the Wild Card and were stomped on by the eventual champion Rams.
In 2024, a 6-4 tally has devolved into 6-7, courtesy of a terrible game against the Seahawks last Sunday. The defence has no answer against Seattle’s rushing, who racked up 176 yards on the day. The offence was largely ineffectual, especially on third down (4-for-12). It feels at times like the Murray-Marvin Harrison Jr. chemistry is still a work in progress. At least RB James Conner was locked up with a recent contract extension. If all else fails, there’s always TE Trey McBride, but at what point do defences clue in and nullify him as well?
This is a must-win, no doubt about it.
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