MNF: Patriots @ Cardinals
Best Pick: Patriots -2.5
The Cardinals take the field after a long bye week. Before the bye week, the Cardinals took a devastating loss in the final seconds with a TD and 2 point conversion by the Chargers. The last time we saw the Pats was on prime time, and they were smushed by the Buffalo Bills. Both teams are coming off of bad losses. These two teams match up well stylistically. We are in for an entertaining game tonight.
Damien Harris (listed as doubtful) and the Pats look to stomp the Cardinals in the desert on Monday Night Football
DeAndre Hopkins is coming off of an illness and hit the injury report this week. Expect Hopkins to not only play tonight, but also make a huge impact for the Cardinals.
Like I mentioned in the beginning of the blog, the Pats are coming off of an embarrassing loss on Thursday night against Buffalo. Typically speaking, Bill Belichick’s teams don’t take 2 losses in a row. This season has been an anomaly for the Pats taking back to back losses against Baltimore and Green Bay earlier this season, then again with back to back losses against Minnesota and Buffalo. The Pats are coming into the matchup off a mini bye, they had more than enough time to prep for this game.
Expect to hear Matthew Judon’s name a lot tonight. The key of the game will be getting Kyler on the ground. The Pats front 7 have an opportunity to go to town tonight against the Cardinals offensive line. The Pats defense is going to try to keep the Cardinals in 3rd and long all night, so they can pin their ears back and put pressure on Kyler.
The Cardinals passing attack will have their hands full with the Patriot’s defense. Jalen Mills is listed as questionable for tonight with a groin. Luckily for New England, the Pats front 7 should cause major disruption in the Cardinals backfield making it a bit easier on the secondary.
2.5 is a low number to cover, even for a struggling Patriots offense. The Cardinals don’t do much well on defense. If Mac Jones can capitalize on the opportunities the Cardinals defense presents, the Pats will win the game and cover.
