Patriots at Cardinals: Previews, Predictions and More

New England Patriots vs Arizona Cardinals

Pretty much the entire world is excited about the NFL finally kicking off this week. Okay, so maybe not the entire world—but it sure can feel like it at times. The NFL is by far the most popular sport in America. We talk about it all season long and that talk doesn’t die off when the players hang up the pads. Instead, the conversations just get amped up even more. That’s certainly the case for the first Sunday Night Football matchup of 2016 with the New England Patriots visiting the Arizona Cardinals.

For the past two offseasons that talk has centered around the Patriots and their polarizing quarterback, Tom Brady. Brady was suspended four games before the start of the 2015 season, but was able to play thanks to an appeal that went in his favor.

A legal tug-of-war ensued ever since and now Brady will finally sit out the first four games. For that reason, a lot of eyes will be on this game as fans will try and see if his backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, is the heir apparent to Tommy Football.

Will he be the real deal that keeps their Super Bowl floats alive? Or might he sink the ship while Brady waits quietly for his turn to get revenge on the league for his suspension.

As for the Cardinals they are coming off their third-straight season with at least 10 wins. With veteran Carson Palmer as the guiding force at quarterback, the Cards powered their way to a 13-win season in 2015. Their offense is explosive with weapons like Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, and Michael Floyd at wide receiver. At running back they have an interesting mix of young and old. 24-year old David Johnson will be the featured guy with 30-year-old Chris Johnson as his back up.

Both teams have a connection as well, thanks to a trade back in March. Outside linebacker Chandler Jones was sent from the cold of Boston to the heat of the desert. In exchange, the Cardinals gave former seventh-overall pick Jonathan Cooper to the Pats. Jones finally gives Arizona a legitimate pass rusher who can stay on the field for every snap. Cooper is hoping to revitalize his career with the Patriots.

So, who will win? Let’s see what the oddsmakers have to say on this one.

Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Who is Favored to Win?

Ben Fawkes over at ESPN has a page where all the odds from Las Vegas are readily available. Here, the smart money seems to be on the Cardinals to overtake the Brady-less Patriots.

Of course the way to get people interested is by giving some points to the underdog. Here Vegas is giving a couple of field goals as the odds are saying the Cards are favored by six points. The reason for the Cardinals to be favored isn’t just because of Tom Brady being out. While that is the biggest reason, sure, Arizona did have a better record than New England last season by one game.

Also being at home is a huge advantage when you have 2,700 miles separating the two teams. As for the over/under, most lines are showing somewhere between 47 and 51 total points.

This number could be a little high considering one team, Arizona, is a dominant defensive bunch. New England is no slouch here either, evidenced by their comfort is moving on from Jones who has produced 36 sacks in his four NFL seasons. Chances are, taking the under here would be the smart move in this contest.

Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Final Score Prediction, Game MVP

While the oddsmakers are saying Arizona, this prediction will go against the grain and say New England will find a way to steal a win on the road in a close contest. Losing Brady hurts, but New England knows how to win regardless of any noise around them.

In 2008 the Pats lost Brady for the entire season. They inserted little-known backup Matt Cassel and he was able to lead them to 11 wins and just five losses that year. 11 wins with a backup is nothing to scoff at. It’s even more impressive when that backup was a seventh round pick who couldn’t get on the field at USC (he was behind Carson Palmer of the Cardinals oddly enough).

This time they just have to navigate four games and with a much better option behind Brady. Garoppolo was a second round pick for a reason. He is smart, has great accuracy on his passes and also shows good instincts on the field. He will be able to do enough to get the ball out to playmakers like tight end Rob Gronkowski and receiver Julian Edelman to put points on the board.

Defensively look for newly acquired pass rusher Barkevious Mingo to make a big play or two as he rehabs his bust label in a new home.

Game MVP: It’s gotta be Garoppolo. The Eastern Illinois grad will make fans start to see that there can be life without Brady as he tosses a couple touchdowns and plays smart football against one of the best defenses in the game.

Pick: New England Patriots: 21, Arizona Cardinals: 20