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Cardinals visit struggling Giants on Sunday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 9/14/2014  at  5:54:00 AM
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ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-0)
at NEW YORK GIANTS (0-1)

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
Line: Arizona -3, Total: 43

The Giants look to avoid an 0-2 start when they host the Cardinals in their home opener on Sunday.

Here is the BetDSI Sportsbook betting preview for this matchup:

Arizona scored just six points in the first half of their opening week game despite some big plays. In the fourth quarter, the Chargers had a 17-6 lead before the Cardinals started to click. QB Carson Palmer led two touchdown drives with the second one coming with just over two minutes left to give Arizona the 18-17 victory. The Giants, however, were demolished in Detroit, as QB Eli Manning threw two interceptions in a 35-14 loss. This Giants defense could struggle with Carson Palmer after allowing Matthew Stafford to throw for 345 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals defense, on the other hand, made timely stops against Philip Rivers and the Chargers. Since 1992, the Giants are 9-3 SU and 6-5 ATS when hosting the Cardinals in New York. Even with last week's non-cover, Arizona is still 6-1 ATS in the first two weeks of the season since 2011. Tom Coughlin, however, is 43-28 ATS in the first half of the season as head coach of the Giants. S Tyrann Mathieu (knee) and LB Alex Okafor (thigh) are listed as questionable for the Cardinals, while LB John Abraham (concussion) is out indefinitely. New York WR Odell Beckham (hamstring) is out indefinitely, and a couple of linemen are both questionable in DT Markus Kuhn (ankle) and OT James Brewer (back).

Can the Giants bounce back at home on Sunday? For the answer, connect to NFL Best Bets for all the StatFox Experts picks throughout the 2014 regular season and playoffs. During the 2013 campaign, the experts combined for a 52% ATS success rate in NFL Best Bets, highlighted by Brian's 60% ATS mark (41-27-6). Scott had a 54% ATS accuracy (36-31-3) on NFL Best Bets, while Gary was 53% ATS (26-23-3). Scott also thrived with his NFL Totals, finishing at 56% (40-31), capped off by a perfect 5-0 run in the postseason. Brian started the 2014 season with a perfect 3-0 record on NFL Totals and a 3-2 ATS mark in Best Bets for Week 1.

The Cardinals faced a lot of question marks heading into Monday night, but they responded with a big 18-17 victory in their home opener. The Arizona defensive line was dominant all night, allowing just 52 yards on the ground on 24 carries. They allowed 238 passing yards, but when they needed stops, they got them. The offense wasn’t nearly as consistent, struggling during the first half before eventually getting it going. QB Carson Palmer threw for 304 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Both touchdowns came in the fourth quarter on drives of 10 plays and 11 plays respectively. Top RB Andre Ellington was a question mark coming into the game, but he looked great despite his injured foot. Ellington rushed for 53 yards on 13 carries and also added five receptions for 27 yards through the air. WR Larry Fitzgerald was held to just one reception for 22 yards, but fellow WR Michael Floyd stepped it up with a huge performance. Floyd had five receptions for 119 yards, including a 63-yard reception when the Cardinals were pressed up against their own goal line. They now have a matchup against a Giants offense that really struggled against the Lions.

New York's debut of its Green Bay Packers-inspired offense could not have gone worse. QB Eli Manning struggled behind a faltering offensive line, throwing for 163 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He did not seem to have the timing down with his receivers that is required in this offense. New RB Rashad Jennings, however, had a very solid debut for the Giants. Jennings rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown while also hauling in four receptions for 50 yards. He will have a gigantic role in this offense this season. WR Victor Cruz was targeted six times in the passing game, but was able to bring in only two catches for 24 yards. The Giants defense really didn’t give Manning much of a chance though. They allowed Matthew Stafford to throw for 346 yards and were unable to cause a single turnover in this contest.


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