New England Patriots @ Arizona Cardinals - December 15, 2024

As I sit down to reflect on the upcoming clash between the New England Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, I’m reminded of the intricate dance that is NFL football. Both teams are coming off tough losses and are eager to turn their fortunes around. However, this matchup presents a fascinating juxtaposition of two struggling squads.

The Cardinals enter this game with a record of 6-7, but they have lost three straight games. Their offense has been relatively productive, averaging just over 22 points per game, thanks in part to a solid passing attack that boasts a completion percentage of nearly 70%. With an average of about 216 passing yards and an impressive rushing attack contributing around 141 yards per game, Arizona’s offensive balance is something that can exploit weaknesses in the Patriots’ defense.

On the other hand, we have the Patriots limping into this contest with a dismal record of 3-10. They’ve also dropped their last three games and struggle offensively, averaging only 17 points per game. While their passing numbers aren’t terrible—averaging just under 200 yards—they fall short in efficiency compared to Arizona. Moreover, New England’s running game has not been as explosive as it needs to be if they want to keep pace with their opponents.

From my years coaching and analyzing team dynamics, one thing stands out: confidence is key. The Cardinals may be facing challenges but they still possess more playmakers capable of changing the tide than New England at this moment. Arizona’s ability to move the ball effectively through both air and ground will likely put significant pressure on a beleaguered Patriots defense that has shown vulnerabilities throughout the season.

Now let’s talk about spreads and totals—a crucial aspect for any coach or analyst looking for insight into how teams might perform relative to expectations. The Cardinals opened as four-point favorites against New England, which reflects their status as home team and slight edge in overall talent. Given how both teams have fared recently against spreads—Arizona being 5-2 ATS in their last seven games while New England sits at just 4-7-1 ATS over its last twelve—the expectation here is clear: I believe Arizona will cover that spread comfortably.

However, I’m also inclined to think that we’ll see a lower-scoring affair than anticipated; thus my prediction leans towards an outcome under the total set at 43.5 points. The Patriots’ struggles scoring combined with Arizona’s recent trend towards lower scoring games (four unders in their last five) suggests that both defenses might rise up when needed most—even if neither unit has been stellar throughout the year.

In summary, my expectations for Sunday’s matchup are clear: I predict that the Arizona Cardinals will secure victory over the New England Patriots while covering the spread—and I foresee this being a hard-fought battle where total points remain under what oddsmakers projected. As always in football, expect surprises—but given current trajectories, it’s hard not to favor Arizona heading into this critical matchup.