Sunday, December 13, 2020, Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, 1 p.m. ET
Cardinals at Giants Betting Preview: Cardinals (-2.5/-114), Giants (+2.5/-106)
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals (6-6) are looking to break out of a slump that has seen them drop four of their past five games. Quarterback Kyler Murray has accounted for 32 touchdowns (22 passing, 10 rushing) but is having difficulty dealing with defensive approaches aimed at limiting his ability to escape the pocket. Murray has just 61 total rushing yards over the past three games after having at least that many in seven of Arizona’s first nine games.
Murray completed just 53.8 percent of his passes — 21 of 39 — in last week’s 38-28 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, his second lowest ratio of the campaign. Star wideout DeAndre Hopkins (1,019 receiving yards) also has seen his output drop of late as 55 yards represents his highest total over the past three games. Veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list this week, and he could return after a two-game absence.
Safety Budda Baker leads the team with 94 tackles and also has two interceptions and two sacks. Two other safeties, Jalen Thompson (ankle) and Charles Washington (groin), are ailing, and their statuses will be determined later in the week.
New York Giants
The Giants (5-7) have won four consecutive games and are tied for first place in the NFC East with the Washington Football Team. New York used the power approach to upset the host Seattle Seahawks last week as Wayne Gallman picked up a career-high 135 of the team’s 190 rushing yards and the defensive posted a season-high five sacks. Defensive end Leonard Williams had 2.5 sacks, giving him a team-leading 8.5, while linebacker Blake Martinez is third in the NFL with 111 tackles.
The availability of quarterback Daniel Jones (hamstring) is expected to be determined Friday as he looks to return after a one-game absence. Colt McCoy started against Seattle and completed 13 of 22 passes for 105 yards with one touchdown toss and one interception. He will be ready to play if Jones is ruled out. Gallman has just 504 rushing yards on the season, but 229 of them have come over the past two weeks.
Martinez (back) missed Wednesday’s practice but is expected to be fine by Sunday. New York surely doesn’t want to play without him after allowing an average of just 16.5 points during the four-game winning streak.
Cardinals at Giants Betting Pick for Week 14
The Giants just defeated Russell Wilson and the Seahawks — in Seattle — behind a backup quarterback. That certainly provides belief that New York can beat Murray and the Cardinals in the Meadowlands whether or not Jones is back on the field.
Arizona is trying to cure its offensive woes, but the Giants have been playing superbly on the defensive side. Murray is not an easy quarterback to corral, but nobody figured New York would sack Wilson five times either.
Cardinals at Giants Betting Pick:
Giants 23, Cardinals 20
Cardinals at Giants Best Bet for Week 14
The Giants are hot and the Cardinals are not — that’s the most important thing. That leans toward Arizona’s offense being slowed down and the total dipping under.
Cardinals at Giants Best Bet: UNDER 45.5 total points (-115)
