Our weekly Thursday night football slate features yet another pair of teams searching for their footing in this 2022 season. The Cardinals v Saints will undoubtedly be an upgrade from last weeks albatross. Still the question remains: Do we get a high-scoring thriller or another bed time story filled with field-goals and sacks?
Cardinals
Coming into the 2022 season the Arizona Cardinals high hopes of NFC West dominance are all but dashed. They have the worst record (2-4) in that division and can’t beat any team worth mentioning. On Thursday night they’ll look to improve upon their season and win one at home against the visiting Saints.
In order to get back on track the Cardinals need QB Kyler Murray to get off to a hot start. His lack of explosive plays this season have hurt the Cardinals both offensively and defensively. Murray has only six touchdowns through six weeks. The term “tough-sledding” doesn’t begin to define how inept their offense is looking under Murray.
Tonight the Cardinals return their top receiver in DeAndre Hopkins. He’ll be coming off a six game suspension handed to him this offseason by the NFL for PED use. There’s no doubt from Cardinals fans everywhere Hopkins is the spark that this 17th ranked offense needs. Having these two superstars reunited on the gridiron will ignite a Cardinals offense that has been muted for the better part of this season.
Saints
On Thursday night the Saints (2-4) try to salvage what’s left of their injury riddled 2022 season. Gone are the days where Drew Brees could inject late-game magic and provide leadership to a team that seems lost; instead the Saints march on with Andy Dalton.
Dalton is the incumbent starter while Jameis Winston nurses an ankle and back injury. Although Dalton is serviceable with three touchdowns and just one interception, he’ll need to be a tick better if New Orleans hopes to win this evening. He’ll be without Jarvis Landry (ankle) and Michael Thomas (foot) to challenge the Saints secondary. However, Dalton will have use of Alvin Kamara and rookie sensation Chris Olave. These weapons hope to give the Saints enough firepower and lead them to victory tonight.
Prediction
Heading into this Thursday night matchup the Arizona Cardinals are getting back their top receiver and playing at home. Both are a huge advantage and will weigh heavily on a Saints defense that is missing its top cornerback in Marshon Lattimore.
Unfortunately for the Saints they are matching-up against a team that gaining players while they are waiting for theirs to return. Andy “Red Riffle” Dalton will fight during this live chess match, but he just won’t have enough pieces to work with.
The Cardinals are only 2.5 point favorites, and that’s due to poor and unsteady play from their team as a whole. Tonight they’ll not only win, but also cover the spread against a Saints team reeling from injuries.
Prediction: Cardinals 35 Saints 24. Cards -2.5
