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The Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants both thought they would be making the playoffs this season and instead face each other in Week 16 simply playing out the string. Injuries and inconsistency have helped sink both of these teams and now the focus is mostly on the offseason.
Each team has two games remaining and are playing for pride at this point. The Cardinals have the better record but both teams have struggled. The Giants at least have their starting quarterback in Eli Manning, while Arizona is dealing with a lot of injuries, including to quarterback Carson Palmer.
The Cardinals are favored because they have the home field advantage and their defense is playing well but this contest could go either way.
This contest in Week 16 of the regular season will go down Sunday, December 24, 2017, at 4:25 p.m. ET at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
New York Giants +3.5
Arizona Cardinals -3.5
Over/Under 40.5
Odds Analysis
The Cardinals are slight favorites, with the margin an interesting one as the Giants would cover if they lose by a field goal or less. Even so, Arizona is getting the majority of the money with more than 54 percent of the action headed its way.
The scoring total is low as both of these teams are missing several stars on offense. The defenses should dominate in this one and the betting reflects that with nearly 70 percent of the action taking the “under.”
The Giants are +163 underdogs on the moneyline while the Cardinals are listed as the -190 favorites.
Injury Report
Kerwynn Williams — The Cardinals are down to their fourth-string running back already but Williams may not play because he injured his quadriceps last time out. If Williams can’t play, the Cardinals would likely turn to Elijhaa Penny, a former undrafted free agent with little experience. Arizona is already missing David Johnson and Adrian Peterson, who are both on injured reserve.
Landon Collins —The Giants’ Pro Bowl safety is battling an ankle injury that he said he shouldn’t really be playing on but is going to do so anyway. He is one of the most talented players on New York and is a critical piece. If he is slowed by the injury, though, the Cardinals may try to take advantage.
Jason Pierre-Paul —The Giants’ star defensive end is dealing with a finger injury and didn’t practice on Wednesday. However, he missed the end of last week’s practices and still played on Sunday, and plans to play through the ailment. The finger injury shouldn’t have a huge effect on Pierre-Paul’s ability to get to the quarterback.
Player To Watch
Drew Stanton — The Cardinals decided to go back to the veteran at quarterback after Blaine Gabbert struggled in last Sunday’s loss to the Redskins. Arizona had six trips into the red zone against Washington but couldn’t score a touchdown in the 20-15 loss.
Stanton is still a backup himself but coach Bruce Arians believes he gives the team a better chance to win. Stanton has been in the offensive system for many years and understands the playbook better than Gabbert.
The Cardinals’ offense isn’t expected to be great in this one but even an average performance could lead to a victory since the defense figures to keep the Giants in check.
Free ATS Pick
Both of these teams are not going to the playoffs, but the Cardinals have generally been more competitive this year. The Arizona defense is the best unit on either team, and add in the home field advantage and it’s an easy choice to take the Cardinals to cover.
This game is missing plenty of star power but Eli Manning is in after he was benched for one game earlier this season, which led to coach Ben McAdoo’s firing. Manning could turn the ball over multiple times in the loss. Take the “under” as it might not be a pretty matchup.
NFL Odds: Cardinals 20, Giants 16
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