Arizona at Indianapolos NFL Odds & Experto Analysis for Week 2

Both the Indianapolis Colts and the Arizona Cardinals enter the second week of the NFL’s regular season looking for their first win. The Cardinals led at the half in Detroit last week but saw Matthew Stafford and the Detroit offense erupt for a monster comeback and win, 35-23 — and they also lost star tailback David Johnson in the process. The Colts, playing without quarterback Andrew Luck (shoulder) were simply dismantled by the Los Angeles Rams, who won their home opener in 46-9 fashion. Let’s take a look at this NFL betting matchup as you plan out your wagering for the coming weekend.

Arizona at Indianapolos NFL Odds & Experto Analysis for Week 2

#AZvsIND game info. pic.twitter.com/37RYpsoozs

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 14, 2017

When: Sunday, September 17, 2017, 1:00 PM ET Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis TV: FOX Radio: KMVP 98.7 FM (Arizona) / WFNI 1070 AM (Indianapolis) Live Stream: NFL Live NFL Odds: Arizona -7.5, O/U 44.5

Series History

• Total Meetings: 16
• First Meeting: October 2nd, 1950. Comiskey Park. Chicago, Illinois
• Last Meeting: November 24th, 2013. University of Phoenix Stadium. Glendale, Arizona
• All-Time Series: Tied 8-8-0
• Largest Margin of Victory: Arizona 55-13 (1950)
• Longest Win Streak: Indianapolis 4 (1992-2009)
• Current Win Streak: Arizona 1 (2013)

Latest NFL Odds Trends

• Arizona is 3-8 ATS in the last 11 games
• Arizona is 2-5 SU in the  last 7 games on the road
• The total went OVER in 5 of Arizona’s last 5 games
• Indianapolis is 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games
• Indianapolis is 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games at home
• The total went UNDER in 5 of Indianapolis’s last 5 games at home

Why should you bet on the Cardinals?

The unraveling of Carson Palmer that ruined the Cardinals’ season in 2016 does not appear to have ended quite yet. The Cardinals raced out to a 10-0 lead, but then Palmer fell off the table, throwing three interceptions and going just 27 for 48 — and it’s not like the Detroit Lions have an amazing pass defense. David Johnson sprained his wrist on a carry and then aggravated it on a play in which he fumbled — leading to surgery, which will leave him out until December, according to the most recent reports. Larry Fitzgerald did catch six passes for 74 yards, but the Cardinals have to focus on ball security if they expect to have a chance. Things were not much better for Arizona on the defensive side of the ball. That unit which had been ironclad in 2015 simply looked old against Stafford last week, as he threw four touchdown passes and the Lions scored on all three trips into the red zone. The Cardinals were only able to sack Stafford once. The good news is that the Colts will be starting backup Scott Tolzien as they continue the waiting game with Luck’s shoulder. So the Cardinals should not give up as many points and have a real shot at winning this road contest.

Team Statistics

Offense:

• Average Score For: 23
• Total Yards: 309
• Rush Yards: 45
• Passing Yards: 264

Defense:

• Average Score Against: 35
• Total Yards: 367
• Rush Yards: 82
• Passing Yards: 285

Why should you put your money on the Colts?

We learned in Week One why Scott Tolzien is a career backup quarterback. Against the Rams, he went just 9 for 18 for 128 yards with a pair of interceptions. The Colts put Jacoby Brissett to mop up in the fourth quarter, and he led the Colts on their only touchdown drive. Given how anemic the Colts’ offense looked, Indianapolis could struggle to score until Luck is back. Watch news updates to find out if Tolzien or Brissett will start; as of yet, the Colts have not named a starter. Frank Gore showed a little bit of age as the featured tailback, gaining just 42 yards on the day. As awful as the Colts’ offense was, the defense was even worse. Jared Goff threw the ball for 310 yards and was only able to get to him once for a sack. They did limit tailback Todd Gurley to just 40 yards, but that didn’t really matter as Goff was able to do whatever he wanted. The Colts are missing cornerback Vontae Davis, who is also expected to miss Week Two, so they won’t have their shutdown corner against the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald.

Team Statistics

Offense:

• Average Score For: 9
• Total Yards: 225
• Rush Yards: 75
• Passing Yards: 150

Defense:

• Average Score Against: 46
• Total Yards: 373
• Rush Yards: 63
• Passing Yards: 310

NFL Odds Pick and Final Score Prediction

This is a game between two teams that have a lot of questions to answer. Who will carry the ball for the Cardinals? Will the Colts be able to move the ball at all? Given that the Colts don’t have much promise at the quarterback position, even though they are playing at home, I see the Cardinals imposing their will and winning this one in relatively ugly fashion. I predict a final score of Arizona 23, Indianapolis 12.