Its another even matchup on Thursday Night Football, this one should see more points then we have seen the past few weeks. The Cardinals -2.5 host the Saints. Winston may be back for New Orleans who is leaving it up to game time decision between him and Dalton. Last week the Saints put up 26 in a losing effort to the Bengals. New Orleans will be without top 2 WR as they were last week. During that game they honestly didn’t really have trouble moving the ball, they just had a few 3rd downs they didn’t convert on.
The Cardinals only scored 9 last week as they were shut down by Pete Carroll and the Seahawks. They get DeAndre Hopkins back, while losing Hollywood Brown to injury. Hopkins creates such mismatches that defenses either shift coverage that way leaving the other receivers open or deal with him and whatever 10 catches ends up bringing. Arizona does have a stout run defense, only allowing 104 per game.
This game could go either way, both teams have a 2-5 record and neither has really been that impressive yet this year, and either of these teams should expect better play once they have their wide receiver corps at full health. There are people of wonder if Kingsbury’s offense hasn’t been figured out by opposing coordinators. Thing is with Hopkins sometimes they are good enough that everyone knew what they want to do and they can still do it. With rumors of the hot seat and facing the Saints still injury riddled this feels like a must win. Kyler Murray may very well look like a different QB however as last years success was directly related to keeping Hopkins in the lineup. The question also for them is starting running back James Conner. This is likely to be a close game, the total at 43.5 is interesting as well as even with the struggles New Orleans is 4th in the league in total offense, 11th in scoring offense 23.5 a game and 30 per game the last 3. Arizona to this point has struggled only putting up 19 per game. The Cardinals have played 5 unders in a row but their scoring has been down and they aren’t beat the Saints scoring 19. My prediction 24-20 Arizona. Cardinals -2.5