Patriots vs Cardinals Preview & Free Pick [December 12th 2022]

New England (6-6) at Arizona (4-8)
When: Monday, December 12th 2022
Where: State Farm Stadium,
Glendale, AZ
Time: 8:15 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Arizona -2/44

Open an account at MyBookie to receive a $1,000 Deposit Bonus!

The New England Patriots are playing their third-straight prime time game when they visit the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football to conclude the Week 14 schedule. The Patriots are sitting two games out of the final playoff spot in the AFC behind the Miami Dolphins pending their result on Sunday night. We get the popularity of the Patriots, but they’re not a team deserving of three consecutive night games. New England lost at the Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving night 33-26 then were cooked at home to the Buffalo Bills 24-10 on a Week 13 Thursday night contest. While the defense has been solid, the offense is holding this year’s team back. New England ranks 24th in total offense at 318.9 yards per game and are tied for 19th in scoring at 20.8. Quarterback Mac Jones had a successful rookie campaign in 2021, but has regressed a bit in 2022.

The Patriots will face another struggling team in Arizona, who has really underachieved this season after coming in with high expectations. The Cardinals are three games out of a playoff spot with a bunch of teams in front of them. They are more than likely going to miss the postseason and head coach Kliff Kingsbury is on the hot seat despite getting a contract extension over the summer. Arizona is coming off a bye after dropping two straight and have lost six of their last eight overall. The most recent was a 25-24 home loss to the L.A. Chargers in Week 12. New England has won six of the past seven in the series, including 20-17 at home in the 2020 COVID season. Cam Newton was the Pats’ QB then and threw for just 84 yards and had two interceptions, while Kyler Murray threw for 170 and a pick for the Cards. The Patriots are 4-1 against the spread in the past five meetings.

GET $1,000 TO BET ON FOOTBALL

In New England’s Week 13 loss to the Bills, the team managed just 242 total yards and held possession for less than 22 minutes. They were 3-of-12 on third down and 0-for-1 in the red zone. The Pats are tied for last in the NFL in red zone efficiency, having scored touchdowns just 12 times in 32 trips. Center David Andrews returned after his one-game absence due to a thigh injury, but New England was missing starting running back Damien Harris (thigh) along with tackles Isaiah Wynn (foot) and Yodny Cajuste (calf/back). Wynn will not play Monday, Harris is doubtful and Cajuste is questionable. The defense ranks seventh overall (311.8) and seventh in points allowed (18.8). New England, which is 1-4 ATS in its past five Monday games, will play at Las Vegas on Sunday.

Murray had missed two games with a hamstring injury but played the last two weeks and didn’t look good. In Week 12, he threw for 191 yards and two scores and was held under 200 yards in Week 11 as well. James Conner had 25 carries for 120 yards in the loss to the Chargers, his first 100-yard rushing game in two seasons. It was the first time the team had more rushing attempts than passing attempts since a Week 4 win over the Carolina Panthers. Wideouts DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown were on the field for the first time this season. Murray has a career-worst 6.1 average yards per attempt this year after signing an offseason extension. Cornerback Byron Murphy (back), receiver Rondale Moore (groin) and guard Rashaad Coward (chest) will miss the game. Left tackle DJ Humphries is on injured reserve and done for the year.

Neither of these teams are making the playoffs and it might be a tough watch. I’ll take the Patriots, who can win this game with their defense. Murray is really struggling this year and a lot of pressure is on Kingsbury. Also, I’m sure it will seem a little like a New England home game in Glendale.

Week 14 NFL Staff Selections

Pick: Patriots -1.5

Tweets by ucapper

CLICK HERE TO BET NFL FOOTBALL ODDS AND PROPS