The New Orleans Saints travel to State Farm Stadium in Glendale Thursday night, where the equally-disappointing Arizona Cardinals are waiting. Both had high expectations, but both come in at 2-4 and in search of answers. The slightest of home favorites in this game, Arizona is -1, with the total set at 45, according to BetUS sportsbook NFL odds.
New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals NFL Odds by BetUs
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | +1½ (-110) | 45 (-110) | EV |  |
| Cardinals | -1½ (-110) | 45 (-110) | -120 | |
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Saints Not Marching Anywhere
The New Orleans Saints have been decimated by injuries this season, having lost wide receiver Michael Thomas, quarterback Jameis Winston and other frontline players at some portion of the schedule.There was a lengthy injury report at the time of this writing, and a quick turnaround to a Thursday game is not ideal. Whether it’s Winston or Andy Dalton at quarterback remains to be seen as of now.
The Saints blew a late home lead to the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. New Orleans is playing close games, but losing them.
There’s a far better rushing attack than Arizona, even though Alvin Kamara hasn’t had his best season to this point. Expect a steady diet of Kamara as the Saints try to shrink the game at the expense of Murray and the opposition offense.
Welcome Back, Hopkins
As was mentioned, the Arizona Cardinals have begun the season at 2-4. So, they went o ut and acquired wide receiver Robbie Anderson, who was last seen being banished by the Carolina Panthers. It’s a position of need in the desert, as it looks like wide receiver Marquise Brown could be out with a season-ending foot injury. Arizona will welcome back wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who finished his six-week, league-enforced performance-enhancing drug (PED) suspension.
The Cardinals are currently on a two-game losing skid, having fallen to the Philadelphia Eagles, then to the Seattle Seahawks last week. Arizona’s last in the NFC West, a basement dwelling that many figured would be the domain of the Seahawks, An underachieving division to this point, so the Cardinals aren’t grounded.
Arizona isn’t spectacular in any area, which sort of explains a lot, Offensively, the Cardinals are a middle-of-the-road team. Quarterback Kyler Murray has been good, but not scintillating. Adding both Anderson and Hopkins, but losing Brown, obviously will give the team a different look. Arizona still needs work in the run game, as the quarterback leads all its rushers. James Conner, who isn’t leading the team in that category despite running back being his position, needs to be more of a factor. Defensively, the Cards are 10th in points allowed per game.
Cards In Another Thursday Borefest
This game is as close as it gets. Both teams have the same dismal record, but the Saints have more injuries to important personnel at this time. Even though the Cardinals might not have the chemistry between Murray, Hopkins and Anderson, they’re the choice to win.
This, unfortunately, has all the makings of another avoidable Thursday contest. However, If you’re interested in taking a shot, New Orleans is 33-1 (+3300) to win the NFC, while the Cards are a 50-1 (+5000) proposition, as per NFL conference odds.
As the Cards gain two excellent receivers, and with New Orleans missing star cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen), thus the pendulum swings in favor of Arizona.
Cardinals minus the point and the under, also.
