Our New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals prediction takes a look at the Week 14 matchup that features two offenses searching for their identity. Let’s take a look at the current sports betting odds, key storylines to watch, and make a prediction for the game. Note that all odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Patriots vs. Cardinals Odds
- Spread
Patriots -1.5 - Moneyline
Patriots -125 - Over/Under
44 points
Patriots vs. Cardinals Prediction
The Patriots are coming off of a disappointing loss in Week 13 to the Buffalo Bills and now sit at the bottom of the AFC East with a 6-6 record. While they certainly are not out of the playoff discussion in the AFC, there are greater concerns that Patriots fans have with this team.
The experiment of having Matt Patricia as the de facto offensive coordinator certainly has not gone the way that Bill Belichick had hoped. The Patriots are averaging just two more passing yards per game than the Denver Broncos, they’re averaging only 20.8 points per game on offense, and Mac Jones has just seven passing touchdowns on the year to seven interceptions.
There are good things to point to in this offense, yes. Rhamondre Stevenson has been everything the Patriots hoped for — and more — coming into the year. But New England’s offense isn’t matching up to how the defense is performing, and it’s leading to the Patriots falling to the bottom of the division.
However, the offense will have a chance to redeem itself this week against the Cardinals. Arizona is currently allowing 26.8 points per game this season, which is the second-lowest mark in the league.
The key for New England winning this matchup and staying in the playoff discussion is to find their identity on offense and lean into in this favorable matchup. It simply comes down to whether or not the coaching staff can recognize this and get out of their own way.
As for the Cardinals’ side of things, they’ll go into this game looking to snap a two-game losing streak. In fact, Arizona has now lost four of their last five games, and things could continue to unravel quickly in the desert if they drop this game to New England.
This offense has looked potent and powerful in previous seasons but has taken a major step backward this year. It’s difficult to get in sync, though, when Kyler Murray has been out of the lineup for a few games, DeAndre Hopkins missed the early portion of the year, Zach Ertz landed on IR, and even Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore have missed time with their own injuries.
MORE: Jets vs. Bills Prediction, Odds, and Picks for Week 14
Even with all of those injuries in mind, Arizona has still fallen short of expectations and will look to get back on track this week against the Patriots. However, New England currently is allowing the seventh-fewest points per game this year. They’ve been one of the toughest matchups for opposing offenses, which doesn’t bode well for an Arizona offense that’s fallen short of expectations this year.
The key for Arizona winning this game is dependent upon the defense shoring things up coming off of their bye week. The Cardinals are allowing the second-most points in 2023, but they have the players on defense to keep Jones and the Patriots’ passing attack in check. It’s simply a matter of whether or not they can execute.
Patriots vs. Cardinals Prediction
Patriots 24, Cardinals 23