Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints Preseason NFL Picks & Predictions 8/17/2018

Friday, August 17, 2018

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

Mercedes-Benz Superdome is the venue for the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints on Friday, August 17, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 3.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 39.5. The Saints were 10-8-0 against the spread last year and their over/under mark was 11-7-0. The Cardinals were 6-9-1 ATS and their over/under record was 6-10-0.

Valuable Arizona Cardinals Betting Trends

The Arizona Cardinals were 6-10-0 against the over/under last season

The Arizona Cardinals were 6-9-1 against the spread last year

Important New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

The New Orleans Saints were 11-7-0 against the over/under last season

The New Orleans Saints were 10-8-0 against the spread last year

Key Arizona Cardinals Injuries

08/03/18 TE Jermaine Gresham Achilles is "?" Sunday vs Washington
08/03/18 LB Markus Golden Knee is "?" Sunday vs Washington

Key New Orleans Saints Injuries

08/03/18 WR Brandon Coleman Undisclosed PUP
05/21/18 RB Mark Ingram Suspension 4-game suspension (eligible to return 10/08 vs Washington)

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Arizona Cardinals ran for 1,386 yards as a unit last year, which ranked 30th in the league. They ran 409 times, averaging 3.4 yards per rush as a unit. The Cardinals were penalized on offense 110 times for 880 yards last season, which had them 14th in the NFL in penalties. They were 25th in the National Football League in points scored with 295. They ran 1,059 plays last year for 5,026 yards, which ranked them 22nd in the NFL in total offense. The Cardinals averaged 4.7 yards per play, which was 30th in the league. As a team they accumulated a total of 310 1st downs last season, ranking them 17th overall as an offensive unit. Sam Bradford completed 32 throws while attempting 43 passes for a completion percentage of 74.4% last year. He passed for 382 yards. He averaged 11.9 yards per completion and 8.9 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating last season was 124.4.

Defensive Statistics

The Cardinals rush defense gave up 406 attempts for 1,434 yards last season, putting them in 6th place in the NFL against the run. They had 129 penalties for 1128 yards on defense last year. That placed them 32nd in the league. They allowed a score on 31.5% of possessions on defense, which was 9th in the NFL. Arizona was 19th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 361. They gave up a total of 4,975 yards on D, which was 6th in the league. The Cardinals were 5th in yards per play allowed with 4.9. Their pass defense allowed 5.9 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 14th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses completed 343 throws on 564 attempts against the Arizona Cardinals defense last season, ranking them 18th and 25th in the league. The Arizona pass defense also surrendered a total of 3,541 yards in the air, which was 14th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Arizona Cardinals tried 40 field goals last season and made 32, which was 10th in the league. Their kickers had a FG percentage of 80.0%. Arizona Cardinals kickers made 89% of their extra points, going 23 for 26 last season. Their punters accumulated 4,159 yards on 88 punts, averaging 47.3 yards per punt. That ranked them 6th in the NFL in punting average. Arizona was 4th in the NFL in punt returns with 41 last year. They totaled 288 punt return yards and averaged 7 yards per return, which was 22nd in the league. Their longest punt return last season was 20 yards. They returned 29 kicks for 592 yards on special teams, placing them 24th in kick return yardage. The Cardinals averaged 20.4 yards per kick return and had a long of 55 yards last season. They were 24th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 6,245.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New Orleans Saints were 4th in the NFL in points scored with 448 last season. They ran 1,000 plays last year for 6,259 yards, which ranked them 2nd in the league in total offense. The Saints averaged 6.3 yards per play, which was 1st in the National Football League. As a team they accumulated a total of 332 1st downs last year, placing them 8th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground New Orleans ran for 2,070 yards as a team, which ranked 5th in the NFL. They ran 444 times last year, averaging 4.7 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Saints were penalized on offense 105 times for 967 yards last season, which had them 17th in the league in penalties. Drew Brees threw for 4,334 yards last season. He completed 386 passes on 536 attempts for a completion percentage of 72%. His quarterback rating last year was 103.9. He averaged 8.1 yards per pass attempt and 11.2 yards per completion.

Defensive Statistics

New Orleans was 10th in the league in points allowed on defense with 326 last year. They surrendered a total of 5,384 yards on D, which was 17th in the NFL. The Saints were ranked 23rd in yards per play allowed with 5.4. Their pass defense gave up 6 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 16th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses completed 329 passes on 554 attempts against the New Orleans defense last season, placing them 13th and 17th in the National Football League. The New Orleans Saints pass defense also gave up a total of 3,597 yards through the air, which was 15th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense allowed 406 attempts for 1,787 yards last year, putting them in 16th place in the league against the run. The Saints committed 108 penalties for 850 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 7th in the NFL. They gave up a score on 33.3% of possessions on defense, which was 16th in the league.

Special Teams Stats

New Orleans was ranked 16th in the league in punt returns last season with 34. They accumulated 218 punt return yards and averaged 6.4 yards per return, which was 25th in the NFL. Their longest punt return last year was 24 yards. They returned 36 kicks for 825 yards on special teams, ranking 8th in kick return yardage. The Saints averaged 22.9 yards per kick return and had a long of 106 yards last year. They were 2nd in the league in all-purpose yards with 7,447. The New Orleans Saints attempted 36 field goals last season and made 31, which was 11th in the National Football League. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 86.1%. New Orleans kickers made 94% of their extra points, going 47 for 50 last year. Their punters totaled 2,822 yards on 60 punts, averaging 47 yards per punt. That placed them 8th in the NFL in punting average.

Who will win tonight's Cardinals/Saints NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Saints -3.5

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