Sunday, December 18, 2016

University of Phoenix Stadium

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The New Orleans Saints take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 18, 2016 at University of Phoenix Stadium. The opening line for this game has Arizona as 2.5 point favorites and the over/under was set at 50. The Saints are 7-5-1 against the spread and their over/under record is 6-7-0. The Cardinals have an over/under record of 7-6-0 and they are 4-9-0 against the spread.

Drew Brees finished with 257 yards through the air for New Orleans last week. He completed 25 passes out of 41 attempts for a 61% completion percentage. The Saints were led in rushing by Timothy Hightower, who finished with 31 yards on 6 rushes. He ended the contest with an average of 5 yards per carry. Willie Snead was the team leader in receiving with a total of 85 yards and 6 receptions. He finished the game with an average of 14 yards per reception. As a team in that game New Orleans got a total of 14 first downs. Of those first downs, 2 came on the ground while 10 came through the air. They ran 58 total plays for 294 yards for the game. The Saints ran for 46 yards on 16 attempts.

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Carson Palmer finished with 145 yards passing for Arizona last week. He went 18 for 33, resulting in a 55% completion percentage. The Cardinals were led on the ground by David Johnson, who finished with 80 yards on 20 carries. He ended the game with an average of 4 yards per rush. Jermaine Gresham led the team in receiving with 45 yards and 5 catches. He finished the game with an average of 9 yards per reception. Arizona had 21 first downs total. 6 came from running the ball and 10 came from a pass. They ran 63 total plays for 300 yards for the contest. The Cardinals ran for 175 yards on 27 carries as a team.

New Orleans scores 28 points per game on offense this season, which ranks 3rd in the NFL. In the passing department, they average 29 passes on 42 attempts for a 69% completion percentage this season. They throw for a total of 314 yards per game through the air as well, which ranks them 1st in the league. The Saints run for an average of 104 yards per game on 24 attempts for an average of 4.3 yards per carry. That ranks them 17th in the league. They also run 68 plays per contest and average 6.1 yards per play for an average of 418 yards per game, ranking their offense 1st overall this season. The Saints average 24 first downs per game which ranks them 2nd in the NFL. They accumulate 61.1 penalty yards per game via 6.8 penalties, which ranks 17th in the league.

New Orleans allows 268 passing yards per game, ranking 29th, and they allow 27 points per contest on defense, which ranks 30th. They give up 23 completions on 36 attempts per game for a completion percentage of 64%. The Saints allow 98 rushing yards per game on 26 carries for an average of 3.8 yards per carry, which ranks their rush defense 12th in the NFL. New Orleans allows 367 total yards per game including 5.7 yards per play, which ranks their overall defense 25th in terms of yards per game. They get flagged for 6.2 penalties for 54.1 yards per game, ranking them 6th among NFL teams.

Arizona averages 23 points per game this season on offense, which ranks them 15th in the league. In the passing department, they complete 24 passes per game on 41 attempts for a 59% completion percentage. They throw for 253 yards through the air per game, ranking them 12th. The Cardinals run for an average of 111 yards per game on 25 attempts for an average of 4.4 yards per carry this season, which ranks them 11th on the ground. They also run 70 plays per game and average 5.2 yards per play for a total of 364 yards per game, ranking them 10th in the league on offense. The Cardinals get an average of 23 first downs per game, which ranks 3rd. They average 53.9 penalty yards per game via 6.6 penalties, ranking them 24th in the NFL.

Arizona allows an average of 202 passing yards per game, which ranks 2nd in the league. Their defense overall allows 21 points per contest, which has them ranked 14th. They give up 20 completions on 33 attempts for a completion percentage of 61% per game. The Cardinals allow 97 rushing yards per contest on 26 carries for a 3.7 average per rush, ranking their overall rush defense 10th in the NFL. Arizona allows 299 total yards per game for an average of 4.8 yards per play, which ranks 1st in the league. They force 8 penalties for 66.4 yards in each contest, ranking 25th.

New Orleans Betting Trends

New Orleans is 6-7-0 against the over/under this season

New Orleans has an ATS record of 7-5-1 this season

Arizona Betting Trends

Arizona is 7-6-0 against the over/under this season

Arizona has an ATS record of 4-9-0 this season

Injuries to Watch

New Orleans

12/11/16 LB Craig Robertson Shoulder "?" Sunday vs. Arizona
12/11/16 C Max Unger Foot "?" Sunday vs. Arizona
12/11/16 WR Michael Thomas Foot "?" Sunday vs. Arizona
12/10/16 S Kenny Vaccaro Suspension expected to miss next 4 games
12/05/16 TE Josh Hill Fibula out for season
11/16/16 LB Michael Mauti Illness IR
11/08/16 LB James Laurinaitis Quad IR
10/12/16 DB Erik Harris ACL IR
09/29/16 DE Obum Gwacham Undisclosed IR
09/22/16 CB P.J. Williams Concussion IR
09/04/16 TE Michael Hoomanawanui Leg IR
08/31/16 CB Damian Swann Abdominal IR
08/31/16 LB Hau'oli Kikaha Knee PUP

Arizona

12/12/16 LB Deone Bucannon Ankle injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans
12/12/16 CB Marcus Cooper Back injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans
12/12/16 WR Michael Floyd Legal problems "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans
12/11/16 S Tyrann Mathieu Shoulder "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans
12/11/16 DT Robert Nkemdiche Elbow "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans
11/02/16 T Jared Veldheer Tricep IR
10/24/16 WR Jaron Brown Knee IR
10/09/16 G Evan Mathis Ankle IR
10/05/16 RB Chris Johnson Groin IR
09/02/16 CB Mike Jenkins Knee IR
08/31/16 CB Elie Bouka Leg IR

Guy's Pick: Take Arizona -2.5

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