The Arizona Cardinals (+9) are making a trip east to face the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This early afternoon matchup kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to FOX.
Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview
Arizona is a live dog here and is currently getting 9 points. If they want to take the moneyline, gamblers would currently have to put up $400 in order to win $100 back on the Falcons (-400). The Cardinals are getting +300 moneyline odds. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 44 points, and if one squad can catch a lucky break early, it’ll likely lead to a nice live betting opportunity.
The Cardinals are 6-7 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 2.3 units so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 5-8. The lackluster Falcons have lost 8.2 units this season. They’re 3-10 ATS and own an O/U record of 7-6.
The Cardinals are 3-10 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Falcons are 4-9 SU.
The Cards are looking to get back in stride after a 17-3 defeat to Detroit in Week 14Their defense allowed the Lions to eat up the clock by running for 122 yards on 31 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Theo Riddick posted a productive day for the Lions in that one with 30 yards on four catches. On the offensive side, Josh Rosen completed 26-of-41 passes for 240 yards and one interception. David Johnson (only 49 rushing yards on 15 attempts) led the ground attack while Johnson (eight receptions, 12 yards) and Trent Sherfield (five catches, 77 yards) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
Atlanta just lost 34-20 to Green Bay in Week 14. The defensive unit let the Packers run for 138 yards on 25 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Aaron Jones had a solid outing, recording 78 rushing yards and a score on 17 attempts for Green Bay. For Atlanta, Matt Ryan completed 28-of-42 passes for 262 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Ito Smith (60 rushing yards on 11 attempts) and Tevin Coleman (45 yards on 10 carries) mounted the running game while Julio Jones (eight receptions, 106 yards, two TDs) and Mohamed Sanu (six catches, 54 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Arizona has run the ball on 42.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Atlanta has a rush percentage of 34.9 percent. The Cardinals have run for 84 yards per game and have eight scores on the ground this year. The Falcons are totaling 81 rushing yards per game and have eight total rush TDs.
It appears that the Cardinals might have the more disruptive lines up front. Their offensive line has given up only 52 sacks while the D-line logged 37 sacks. The Falcons O-line has given up 24 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs just 39 times.
The Cards offensive scheme has logged 178 yards per game through the air overall and has 12 passing scores so far. The Falcons have produced 315 pass yards per contest and have 28 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Arizona should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 139 yards and pass for 230 yards per game. The Atlanta defense has given up 269.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 131.2 yards per game on the ground. The Cards are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.06 to opponents, while the Falcons have allowed a 7.15 ANY/A.
Offensively, Rosen has put up 1,761 passing yards this year. He’s completed 163-of-288 attempts with 10 scores through the air and 12 interceptions. He has a 3.87 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.25 over the last two outings.
David Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Trent Sherfield have combined for 334 total yards over the last two outings.
On the other sideline, Matt Ryan has completed 338-of-476 passes for 3,945 yards, 27 TDs and six INTs. Ryan’s ANY/A sits at 7.77 for the year and 5.05 over his past two games.
Julio Jones, Ito Smith and Mohamed Sanu have combined for 311 total yards and two touchdowns the last couple of games.
RELATED: Week 15 NFL Betting Odds and Predictions
NFL Prediction: Cardinals vs. Falcons
SU Winner – Falcons, ATS Winner – Falcons, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Cardinals offense has created three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Falcons have put up seven such plays.
The Arizona defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Atlanta has given up six such plays.
Both teams have produced four rushing plays of 20 yards or more. The Arizona offense has recorded 21 running plays of 10+ yards while Atlanta has accounted for 30 such plays.
The Cardinals defense has allowed 15 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Falcons have given up 12 such runs.
The Arizona defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs 39 times this season. Atlanta has registered just 27 sacks.
Arizona has averaged 4.1 yards per rush attempt across its last three outings and 4.9 over its last two.
Atlanta has averaged 3.0 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.6 over its last two.
In its last three matchups, Atlanta is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Arizona’s last game going into it was 40.5. The under cashed in the team’s 17-3 loss to Detroit.
In its last three matchups, Arizona is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Atlanta’s last matchup was set at 50.5. The over cashed in that 34-20 loss to Green Bay.
*****
