In this article we will formulate a Cardinals vs Falcons prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, December 21st at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 16 matchup.
Arizona Cardinals Betting Preview
The Arizona Cardinals are 3-11 this season after they lost to Houston by a score of 40-20 in their last game. Arizona trailed 17-0 after the first quarter and 23-7 at halftime, before losing the second half 17-13 in the lopsided losses. The Cardinals were out gained by a total of 399-307, went 5-12 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 2-0 in the game. Jacoby Brissett went 27-40 for 249 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, while Michael Carter rushed 14 times for 56 yards. Trey McBride led the receivers with 12 catches for 134 yards and two scores in the loss.
Prior to that game, Arizona lost to the Rams by a score of 45-17 and the Buccaneers by a score of 20-17. The Cardinals have lost six games in a row and they are currently last in the NFC West standings. Arizona has scored 21.6 points per game with 238.4 passing yards and 95.0 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 27.7 points against per game this season. Jacoby Brissett has thrown for 2,708 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while Trey McBride has 105 receptions for 1,071 yards and 10 scores this season.
Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview
The Atlanta Falcons are 5-9 this year after they defeated Tampa Bay by a score of 29-28 in their last game. Atlanta led 14-13 at halftime, but they trailed 28-14 in the fourth quarter, before scoring 15 points in the last 10 minutes to escape with the close win. The Falcons out gained TB by a total of 476-338, went 5-11 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at one in the game. Kirk Cousins went 30-44 for 373 yards and three touchdowns, while Bijan Robinson rushed 19 times for 93 yards and one score. Kyle Pitts Sr led the receivers with 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Prior to that game, Atlanta lost to the Seahawks by a score of 37-9 and the Jets by a score of 27-24. The Falcons have split their last four games and they are currently third in the NFC South standings. Atlanta has scored 20.1 points per game with 217.7 passing yards and 122.7 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 24.4 points against per game this season. Kirk Cousins has thrown for 1,218 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions, while Bijan Robinson has 1,174 rushing yards and six scores on 234 carries this year.
Why the Arizona Cardinals will win
- The home team has won each of the last 13 games between the Falcons and Cardinals.
- The Falcons have lost each of their last four games as favorites.
- The Falcons have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as road favorites following a road win.
- The Cardinals have covered the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs without Michael Carter.
- The Cardinals have scored the first touchdown in 10 of their last 12 Sunday home games.
- The Cardinals have won the first half in each of their last six home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Falcons have lost the first quarter in four of their last five games as favorites against NFC West opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Cardinals’ last nine Sunday home games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Falcons’ last eight Week 16 games have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Ten of the last 12 Sunday games at State Farm Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.
Arizona Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- Trey McBride has scored at least one touchdown in five of the Cardinals’ last six games against NFC opponents.
- Jacoby Brissett has recorded 258+ passing yards in each of the Cardinals’ last six games against NFC opponents.
- Jacoby Brissett has recorded 25+ completions in seven of the Cardinals’ last eight Sunday games.
- Michael Carter has recorded 28+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last eight appearances following a loss.
- Michael Carter has recorded 18+ receiving yards in each of his last eight appearances following a loss.
- Michael Carter has recorded 17+ rushing yards in each of his last four appearances against NFC South opponents.
- Heading into Week 16, Trey McBride ranks 1st in the NFL in receptions (105) this season.
Atlanta Falcons Player Prop Facts
- Tyler Allgeier has scored a touchdown in four of the Falcons’ last five games as favorites.
- Kirk Cousins has recorded 232+ passing yards in nine of his last 10 regular season appearances against NFC West opponents.
- Kirk Cousins has recorded 21+ completions in eight of his last nine December road appearances against NFC opponents.
- Darnell Mooney has recorded 44+ receiving yards in each of the Falcons’ last four games as road favorites against NFC opponents.
- Tyler Allgeier has recorded 31+ rushing yards in five of the Falcons’ last six games against NFC West opponents.
- Darnell Mooney has recorded 44+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Falcons’ last four games as road favorites against NFC opponents.
- Heading into Week 16, James Pearce Jr. is one of only three players to record at least one sack in six consecutive appearances this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Heading into Week 16, the Cardinals have suffered the equal-most losses when leading after Q3 this season (5).
- Heading into Week 16, the Cardinals have suffered the equal-most losses when leading at HT this season (5).
- Falcons – 15 different players have recorded 1.0 sacks or more in a game this season – most in the NFL, heading into Week 16.
- Heading into Week 16, the Falcons rank 32nd in the NFL in average kickoff return (22.8 yards) this season.
Cardinals vs Falcons Prediction
Atlanta comes into this matchup after an upset win over Tampa Bay last week, but they have allowed at least 27 points in four of their last five games. The Falcons have been decent on offense, as they rely on Cousins at quarterback. Arizona has lost six games in a row and they have allowed at least 40 points in three of their last five. The Cardinals have scored 20 points or fewer in three straight games, but I think their passing attack will have a big game here. I think Atlanta has the best player on the field with Bijan, but I don’t trust their defense and I think this game could go either way, so give me the points with Arizona.
David Racey is 93-71 (57%) in the NFL this season and is one of the top NFL cappers on the NFL Leaderboard. David went 10-2 in the NFL last Sunday/Monday. Click here for his premium plays for this week!