Two organizations trying to restore some pride and build for the future square off in Week 17 of the NFL when the Arizona Cardinals travel to Georgia to play the Atlanta Falcons.

Each side is officially eliminated from playoff contention. The story reads a bit worse for Arizona, who notoriously went into the campaign having offered a shiny new contract to its starting QB Kyler Murray.

Arthur Smith’s Falcons are pinned as slight -3.5 favourites on the NFL odds. Not many points are expected, with an O/U of only 42.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

A sign of the times: Kyler Murray and Matt Ryan started for their respective teams in the 2019 showdown that favoured Arizona 34-33. Murray won’t play this week due to a season-ending injury and Matt Ryan isn’t even a Falcon anymore. 

Things didn’t go according to plan for the Cardinals this season. 4-11 speaks to that reality. That said, betters have had a slightly better time. Arizona has fared 7-8 ATS on the season. Losers of five straight, they have at least covered twice during that span, although they failed once when they were only +2 underdogs (Denver in Week 15).

Predictions about the Falcons were tempered. As it turns out, with a 5-10 record, there wasn’t much to get excited about anyways. That said, their efforts have favoured observers of spreads. With an 8-7 record ATS, it can be argued that Atlanta isn’t such a bad bet, given the circumstances. One should proceed with caution, however. Many of the covers came earlier in the season. They are only 2-5 in the last seven tries. 

Arizona Cardinals

Christmas cheers turned to Christmas tears on Sunday night when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came to town. But that will happen when a newbie QB faces off against the G.O.A.T. Tom Brady. 

Yes, Trace McSorley suited up for the Cardinals in place of the injured Colt McCoy. The young gun didn’t light it up (to be fair, nor did Brady), only helping his side gain eight first downs through the air on a night when he went 24-45 for 217 yards and an INT. Speaking of downs, third-down efficiency was an issue all evening, as Arizona only went 5-19. Worse still, Kliff Kingsbury’s side because the newest victim of a late fourth-quarter comeback orchestrated by Brady. Up 16-6 halfway through the final frame, they couldn’t protect the lead, with the visitors eventually kicking a game-winning field goal in overtime to spoil Christmas, 19-16. 

Atlanta Falcons

Some would say coach Arthur Smith “finally” made the decision two weeks ago to see what the team has in rookie QB Desmond Ridder. Mariota hadn’t given the squad much hope, so why not go for broke?

Two games are far too little a sample size to paint with broad brushstrokes. Both games ended in defeat, the more recent being last week in Baltimore. A slow and mostly uneventful contest that the Ravens took 17-9. The hosts needed the win badly to keep pace with division-leaders Cincinnati, especially during Lamar Jackson’s absence, and Atlanta simply wasn’t much of a threat. They managed to move the ball somewhat well, but issues reared their heads in the red zone, as the Falcons laid a goose end of efficiency (0-4). The brightest takeaway this season is the 3^rd ranked rushing attack (160.8 yards per game).

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Cardinals vs. Falcons?