Sunday, September 11, 2016

University of Phoenix Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The New England Patriots take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at University of Phoenix Stadium. The opening line for this game has Arizona as 6 point favorites and the over/under was set at 47. Last season the Patriots were 8-8-2 against the spread and their over/under record was 10-8-0. The Cardinals had an over/under record of 10-8-0 and they were 9-9-0 against the spread.

New England scored 29 points per game on offense last season, which ranked 3rd in the NFL. In the passing department, they averaged 25 passes on 39 attempts for a 64% percent completion percentage last season. They threw for a total of 287 yards per game through the air as well, which ranked them 4th in the league. The Patriots ran for an average of 88 yards per game on 24 attempts for an average of 3.7 yards per carry. That ranked them 30th in the NFL. They also ran 66 plays per contest and averaged 5.7 yards per play for an average of 374 yards per game, ranking their offense 6th overall last season. The Patriots averaged 22 first downs per game which ranked them 4th in the league. They accumulated 52.1 penalty yards per game via 6.1 penalties, which ranked 25th in the NFL.

New England allowed 241 passing yards per game, ranking 17th in the league, and they allowed 20 points per contest on defense, which ranked 10th. They gave up 23 completions on 37 attempts per game for a completion percentage of 62%. The Patriots allowed 99 rushing yards per game on 25 carries for a 4 average per play, which ranked their rush defense 9th in the NFL. New England allowed 339 total yards per game including 5.2 yards per play, which ranked their overall defense 9th in terms of yards per game. They forced 1.3 turnovers per contest and got flagged for 6.9 penalties for 61.3 yards per game, ranking them 13th among all teams in the league.

Arizona averaged 31 points per game last season on offense, which ranked them 2nd in the NFL. In the passing department, they completed 22 passes per game on 35 attempts for a 63% percent completion percentage. They threw for 289 yards through the air per game last year, ranking them 2nd. The Cardinals ran for an average of 120 yards per game on 28 attempts for an average of 4.3 yards per carry last season, which ranked them 8th on the ground. They also ran 65 plays per game and averaged 6.3 yards per play for a total of 408 yards per game, ranking them 1st in the league on offense. The Cardinals got an average of 23 first downs per game, which ranked 2nd. They averaged 46.4 penalty yards per game via 5.8 penalties, ranking them 24th in the NFL.

Arizona allowed an average of 230 passing yards yards per game, which ranked 8th in the league. Their defense overall allowed 20 points per contest, which had them ranked 8th. They gave up 21 completions on 36 attempts for a completion percentage of 58% per game. The Cardinals allowed 91 rushing yards per contest on 23 carries for a 4 average per rush, ranking their overall rush defense 5th in the NFL. Arizona allowed 322 total yards per game for an average of 5.2 yards per play, which ranked 5th in the league. They forced 2.1 turnovers per contest and 7.9 penalties for 72.3 yards in each contest, ranking 25th.

Tom Brady finished the AFC Championship game with 310 yards through the air for New England. He completed 27 passes out of 56 attempts for a 48% completion percentage. Tom Brady led the Patriots in rushing with 13 yards. He averaged 4 yards per carry on his 3 rushing attempts for the game. Rob Gronkowski led the team in receiving. He had a total of 144 yards on 8 receptions for an average of 18 yards per catch in the game. As a team in that game New England had 336 total yards on 77 plays. They gained 3 rushing first downs, 13 passing, and 4 by way of penalty for a total of 20 first downs on the game. The Patriots rushed for 44 yards by way of 17 carries.

Carson Palmer finished the NFC Championship game with 235 yards through the air for Arizona. He completed 23 passes out of 40 attempts for a 58% completion percentage. David Johnson led the Cardinals in rushing with 60 yards. He averaged 4 yards per carry on his 15 rushing attempts for the game. David Johnson led the team in receiving. He had a total of 68 yards on 9 receptions for an average of 8 yards per catch in the game. Arizona had 287 total yards on 60 plays. They gained 5 rushing first downs, 14 passing, and 2 by way of penalty for a total of 21 first downs on the game. The Cardinals rushed for 60 yards by way of 16 carries.

New England Betting Trends

New England was 10-8-0 against the over/under last season

New England had an ATS record of 8-8-2 last season

Arizona Betting Trends

Arizona was 10-8-0 against the over/under last season

Arizona had an ATS record of 9-9-0 last season

Injuries to Watch

New England

09/07/16 DL Jabaal Sheard Knee "?" Sunday vs. Arizona
09/06/16 WR Danny Amendola Knee "?" Sunday vs. Arizona
09/03/16 DE Rob Ninkovich Suspension expected to miss first 4 games
09/02/16 WR Malcolm Mitchell Elbow "?" Sunday vs. Arizona
08/31/16 G Tre Jackson Knee PUP
08/30/16 RB Dion Lewis Knee PUP
08/30/16 T Sebastian Vollmer Hip PUP
04/25/16 QB Tom Brady Suspension expected to miss first 4 games

Arizona

09/07/16 CB Justin Bethel Foot "?" Sunday vs. New England
09/02/16 LB Kareem Martin Knee out indefinitely
09/02/16 WR Larry Fitzgerald Knee probable Sunday vs. New England
09/02/16 CB Mike Jenkins Knee IR
08/31/16 CB Elie Bouka Leg IR
08/30/16 WR John Brown Concussion probable Sunday vs. New England

Josh's Pick: Take New England

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald