The Cardinals got back on track last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be favored in this contest. Buffalo has to turn it around quickly or else the season could be lost before it hits high gear.
Watch this regular season Week 3 matchup live on Sunday, September 25, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at New Era Field.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cardinals -4.5
Bills +4.5
Over/Under 47
Odds Analysis
The Cardinals were upset by the Patriots in their opener, but had everything clicking in a blowout of Tampa Bay in Week 2. That performance, combined with Buffalo’s problems, has made Arizona a decent road favorite and they are getting picked to cover by 83 percent of the early bettors.
The Bills will try to control the ball on the ground and shorten the game, but the Cardinals’ explosive offense makes the “over’ the more enticing choice.
Injury Report
Sammy Watkins -- The Bills’ top receiving target has been slowed by a foot injury. He only had two catches for 20 yards last time out and if he isn’t completely healthy against the Cardinals, it will hurt the offense.
Marcell Dareus -- Buffalo’s talented defensive lineman has been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. His absence has been felt the first two contests and he will miss this one as well.
Evan Mathis -- The Pro Bowl guard was in and out of the opener against the Patriots with a foot injury. He played most of the game against Tampa Bay but limped off late. If he is out, the Cardinals will turn to the unproven Earl Watford in his place.
Matchup to Watch
Bills running game vs. Cardinals front seven -- If Buffalo expects to win this one, it must establish the run. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is a mobile threat and running back LeSean McCoy is one of the shiftier players in space.
However, the Cardinals have done a nice job of stuffing run games in past years and they have a physical defensive line. If the Bills can’t consistently move the ball on the ground, it will cause Taylor to drop back in the pocket and pass, which is not his forte.
Things are further complicated in the passing game with Watkins slowed by his injury, and the fact that the Cardinals can put star cornerback Patrick Peterson on him. Buffalo’s offense will have a tough time in its first game with a new coordinator, and hopes to put together a game plan that will be effective.
Free ATS Pick
The Cardinals were upset in their opener by the New England Patriots but looked closer to last year’s 13-3 team in Week 2. They will play their first road game of the year in Buffalo, but that shouldn’t be a huge hurdle.
Arizona has the superior talent and seems to match up well in this one. The Bills’ ballyhood defensive front hasn’t gotten a lot of pressure in the first two games, and its secondary was a mess last time out against the Jets.
That’s a dangerous combination, as the Cardinals have one of the best passing games in the NFL. Expect the Bills’ slide to continue with a third loss, which will put Ryan further in the crosshairs. He could be fired early in the season if he doesn’t get it turned around.
The Cardinals are the pick to cover, with the “over” the expectation.
NFL Odds: Cardinals 30, Bills 18
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