The New York Giants and the Arizona Cardinals meet Sunday in NFL action from University of Phoenix Stadium. The Giants are fresh off an opener matchup versus the Cowboys. In that one New York took a blowout loss. As for Arizona, they played the Commanders in Week 1. The Cardinals ended up losing by four points. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.

New York Giants 

The Giants went 1-2 in their three preseason outings this year. Sandwiched around a 21-19 win over the Panthers, New York lost to the Lions 21-16 and the Jets 32-24. In Week 1’s rivalry matchup against the Cowboys on Sunday night, the Giants gave up points in every quarter during a rough 40-0 defeat. New York was down 26-0 by halftime and never got anywhere close. 

In the Cowboys game, New York’s Daniel Jones went 15-of-28 for 104 yards and two interceptions. Darren Waller was the team’s leading receiver on three catches for 36 yards, and Saquon Barkley had 51 yards off 12 carries to lead the rush. Barkley also caught three balls for 12 yards in a muted evening. 

New York Giants Team Facts

The Giants have lost four of their last five September games as favorites against NFC opponents.
The Giants have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games following a loss.
The Giants have scored the first touchdown in eight of their last nine games as favorites.
The Giants have lost the first half in each of their last 11 games against NFC West opponents.
The Giants have lost the first quarter in eight of their last nine games.

Arizona Cardinals 

Over on the Arizona side, they lost to the Chiefs 38-10 in their second preseason game, but otherwise won the other pair. Those were Cardinals wins over the Broncos 18-17 and the Vikings 18-17 as well. In Week 1 versus the Commanders, Arizona had a 16-10 lead going into the final quarter. The Cardinals were outscored 10-0 from there however, and lost 20-16.

The Cardinals got 132 yards on 21-of-30 passing from QB Joshua Dobbs, and James Conner was the team’s top rusher with 14 carries for 62 yards. Rondale Moore was the leading receiver with three catches for 33 yards. Marquise Brown had three grabs for 28 yards as well. 

Arizona Cardinals Team Facts

The Cardinals have lost each of their last eight games.
The Cardinals have covered the spread in each of their last eight games against NFC East opponents.
The Cardinals have lost the first quarter in five of their last seven home games against teams that held a losing record.
The Cardinals have scored the first touchdown in each of their last six Sunday games played on the West Coast.
The home team has won the first half in each of the Cardinals’ last seven Week 2 games.

Matchup/League Facts

The Cardinals ranked 31st in the NFL in points allowed per game (26.4) last season
The Cardinals ranked T26th in the NFL in turnover differential (-5) last season
The Giants ranked 1st in the NFC East for rushing yards per game last season (148.2)
The Giants ranked T31st in the NFL in interceptions (6) last season

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stay with the Cardinals. Probably not touching this one, though. With both teams coming off rough losses, this matchup has about as little intrigue as a Week 2 game can have, but on the bright side it should be a competitive matchup. Arizona posted just 210 total yards (114 passing), 13 first downs and 4-of-14 on third-down tries in their Week 1 loss. The nine penalties for 122 yards and two lost fumbles didn’t help either, but at least the Cardinals got on the scoreboard. 

As for the Giants, there’s very little to point to as quality football in their opener loss to the rival Cowboys. New York had 171 total yards (63 passing), 14 first downs, six penalties (72 yards) and three turnovers during the defeat. Things will surely improve in this matchup, but I’m staying away.