Arizona Cardinals vs New York Giants Point Spread Picks

Historically NFL defenses are ahead of the offenses in September. It takes time, practice, and chemistry to get a rhythm going between QBs, receivers, and offensive linemen. The Giants' offense was totally out of sync in the opener getting shut out at home by Dallas with just 171 total yards and 3 turnovers. New York is on a 20-10-1 run UNDER the total, including 7-3 UNDER in September. Arizona has its own offensive problems without star QB Kyler Murray until October. Backup QB Joshua Dobbs has to run the offense and struggled in a 20-16 loss at Washington. The Cardinals had 210 total yards, ran for 3.5 yards per carry, and were 4-of-15 on third and fourth down. The defense was very good allowing 248 total yards, just 3.3 yards per rush. With the Giants 146-113 UNDER the total on natural grass, plus 15-1 UNDER as a road favorite of 3.5 to 7 points, look for a defensive duel. Play New York/Arizona UNDER the total as a Max Play.

Arizona has a terrific offense behind QB Kyle Murray (22 TDs, 10 INTs), sixth in the NFL in total yards, fourth in rushing, and ninth in points (27.7 per game). They've outscored opponents by 36 points (fifth-best in the NFC) and face a New York bunch with a losing record that has been outscored by 34 points. Arizona is two games behind the Seahawks and Rams for first place, is 7-3 ATS against losing teams, and 23-11-3 ATS after allowing 250+ yards passing in their previous game. New York had to fly to the West Coast last week and had a huge emotional win at Seattle, 17-12. QB Daniel Jones (8 TDs, 9 INTs) missed the game and is questionable this week with a hamstring injury, backed up by QB Colt McCoy (1 TD, 1 pick). The Giants are on a 5-15 spread run at home, 3-12 ATS as a home dog, plus 2-10 ATS at home against opponents who average five or more rushing yards per carry. A year ago, the Cardinals beat the Giants 27-21 on this field with 156 yards rushing while winning the turnover battle, 3-0. Play Arizona.

Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones has gotten some accolades for his efforts thus far, replacing Eli Manning. They may not be justified, at least not yet. Jones’ QB rating is well below average at 74.1 on the season and he has also thrown more picks than TDs (6-5). The Giants already poor offense continues to have injury issues, as Saquon Barkley is questionable with an ankle injury. Also questionable for this game is Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram. Two other tight-ends and two other running backs are also out on IR or suspension. Meanwhile, Arizona’s Kyler Murray is getting better each week. Over the past two games, he has thrown for 599 yards, completing 68.1% of his passes, with no INTs. The Cards have put up 60 points in those games and seem to have made meaningful progress on their red-zone issues. They have also run the ball 67 times for 368 yards in those two games, the same amount of yards in their first four games. Home field advantage? Not so for these Giants who are 1-9 ATS in this building the past two and a half seasons. Arizona is growing up fast and I like them here to have a shot to produce their third straight upset. They should at least keep it very close. Guys, make the play in this one on Arizona.

New York came close last week to beating the Eagles, but the Giants let a 13-point lead slip away and lost 34-29. However, a rejuvenated Eli Manning finished 35-of-54 for 427 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. It's a good sign that the Giants still are interested in finishing the season on a high note, especially for interim coach Steve Spagnuolo. Arizona had an ugly loss at Washington with Blaine Gabbert completing only 16-of 41 for 189 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. The Cardinals are 7-16-1 ATS their last 24 games overall and they have been money burners after a good defensive performance. Arizona is 2-13-1 ATS its last 16 games after giving up fewer than 90 rushing yards and 0-8 ATS its last eight games after allowing fewer than 250 passing yards its previous game. The Giants went OVER by nearly 23 points against Philly and the total for this game is on the low side. Look for Manning and the New York offense to build off last week's game and play the Giants and the OVER.

The Arizona Cardinals had to come from behind at home to beat the San Diego Chargers in a thrilling 18-17 Monday nighter. That should give them a boost in week two as they take on the New York Giants. The opener did not go so well for the Giants. They knew that Megatron was going to be the focal point of the Detroit offense, but he still repeatedly found himself wide open. The Giants' secondary looks very beatable, and Carson Palmer carved up a pretty good Chargers defense for 294 yards and 0 INTs last week. The Cardinals should have won much bigger last week as they held a 403-290 yardage advantage. The problem the Giants have is that in their last nine road games, they have allowed five opponents to score 31 or more points, and six of nine have scored 27. That will be problematic to the total here as Arizona has gone an amazing 67-29-1 to the OVER in their last 97 games after gaining over 350 yards in their previous one. And, in the Tom Coughlin era, New York is 16-5 OVER in the first two weeks of the season. Take the OVER in this one.