(late injury and line moves updated on Saturday afternoon)
The Cardinals fell from the ranks of the unbeaten in their last game where Kyler Murray struggled and they head to Carolina to face a Panthers team that won their first game of the season in their last game.
Arizona was rolling with two straight wins before Murray was picked off three times in the 26-23 loss to the Lions. Any loss is a big one in the tough NFC west where the Cardinals are 2-1 along with the Rams and 49ers with the Seahawks at 3-0. The team had only given up 35 points in their first two games before giving up 26 in their last one.
After two double-digit losses, the Panthers broke through in their last game beating the L.A. Chargers 21-16. Their D came up big in the game and in their first two games they had given up 34 and 31 points respectively. These teams met in Week 3 last season in Arizona where the Panthers beat the Cardinals 38-20.
Not only have the Panthers covered in their last four games against the Cardinals but have also covered in their last four home games facing them.
Line Movements:
Arizona opened this game as a 3.5-point favorite when the lines came out. That line is now down slightly to Arizona -3 points as of Saturday night. 73 percent of the bets against the spread are on the Cardinals to cover the line.
The total for this game opened at 51 points. Since then, it has climbed slightly to its current mark of 52 points, though it can be found at 51.5 at a few sportsbooks. Even with the increase, 57 percent of the bets on the total are looking for this one to go over the mark.
Game-time Weather: Temperatures at kickoff are expected to be in the high-60s and will climb into the low to mid-70s as the game wears on. There will be sunny skies yielding to some clouds as the game is played but there is no rain in the forecast for Sunday. Winds are expected out of the northeast at five to seven miles an hour with wind gusts kicking up to near 10 miles per hour.
Murray Looks to Rebound
Murray was pretty solid in the first two games but his three turnovers were killers in the 26-23 loss to the Lions. He did pass for 270 yards with a couple of TD and rushed for 29 yards and a score, but the turnovers hurt bad.
Overall, Arizona outgained Detroit 377 yards to 322 yards and held them to only 90 rushing yards but they failed to force any turnovers.
Even in the loss to the Lions DeAndre Hopkins had a big game with 137 receiving yards and Murray’s next leading target Andy Isabella had two receiving TD he only had 47 yards. Hopkins leads the NFL in receiving yards and will face a Carolina pass defense that gave up 319 yards in their last game. However, he is listed as questionable and may not play in this one. He is considered a game-time decision. Kenyon Drake rushed for 73 yards in the loss to Detroit averaging 4.1 yards per carry and he has totaled 158 rushing yards in the last two games. The Cardinals have had a solid balance on offense, but they have to avoid the turnovers.
Injury Report:
OUT: CB Robert Alford, S Budda Baker, S Chris Banjo, OL Marcus Gilbert, S Jalen Thompson, OL Brett Toth, TE Maxx Williams
Questionable: OL Mason Cole, LB Dennis Gardeck, WR DeAndre Hopkins, LB Devon Kennard, WR Christian Kirk, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, LB Tanner Vallejo
Good Thing for the Turnovers
In the Panthers 21-16 win over the Chargers in their last game, they were outgained by 134 yards and only rushed for 81 yards, but they forced four turnovers and did not commit any. Teddy Bridgewater had his lowest passing yard total of the season with 235 but was 22 for 28 with a TD and was not picked off. In the win, four Panthers had at least 45 receiving yards led by DJ Moore with 65 yards. Mike Davis rushed for 46 yards on 13 carries with 26 coming on one play.
Bridgewater and company have to step up again with star RB Christian McCaffrey on IR and out for this game. Through three games the Panthers only have three sacks and Donte Jackson has both of the team’s interceptions. That has to be a big concern facing Murray this Sunday.
Injury Report:
OUT: WR Omar Bayless, WR Keith Kirkwood, LB Jordan Mack, RB Christian McCaffrey, LB Christian Miller, P Michael Palardy
Questionable: S Jeremy Chinn, G Dennis Daley, CB Donte Jackson, T Russell Okung, DT Kawann Short
Notable Trends
Panthers are:
- 1-6-1 ATS last 8 overall.
- 1-5-1 ATS last 7 as an underdog.
Cardinals are:
- 5-1 ATS last 6 in October.
- Favorite is 5-2 ATS last 7 in series.
