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Cardinals at Falcons: Game preview, odds, prediction

By John Buhler

Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; NFL referee Tyrol Prioleau (109) separates a fight between Atlanta Falcons fullback Patrick DiMarco (42) and Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Alex Okafor (57) in the fourth quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 29-18. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; NFL referee Tyrol Prioleau (109) separates a fight between Atlanta Falcons fullback Patrick DiMarco (42) and Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Alex Okafor (57) in the fourth quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 29-18. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Falcons will host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. Here is a game preview, the betting odds, and a final score prediction.

There is a full slate of NFL games to be had in Week 12. All 32 teams will be playing this weekend, including a showdown between Arizona Cardinals (4-5-1) and the Atlanta Falcons (6-4). Kickoff from the Georgia Dome will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 27. FOX will have the telecast.

Arizona is in win-now mode after dropping a frustrating game on the road to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11. The Cardinals are 4-5-1 on the year and are three games back of the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. Arizona is also two games back of the 6-3-1 Washington Redskins for the second NFC Wild Card spot entering Week 12.

Atlanta is coming off its Week 11 bye. The Falcons lost a physical game on the road to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10. Atlanta leads the NFC South at 6-4, but only has a one game lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5), and a two-game lead over both the 4-6 Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints.

Odds

Point Spread: Atlanta -4
Moneylines: Atlanta -220, Arizona +190
Over/Under: 50.5

According to OddsShark.com, the Falcons are laying four points at home to the visiting Cardinals. The associated moneylines are Atlanta -220 and Arizona +190. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 50.5 points.

Here are the trends to know with regards to the Cardinals: 1.) Arizona is 1-4 against the spread in its last five games. 2.) The Cardinals are 1-4 against the spread and straight up in their last five road games. 3). They have gone over in all of their last five road games.

Here are the trends to know about the Falcons: 1.) Atlanta is 6-3 straight up and against the spread in its last nine games. 2.) The Falcons have gone over in four of their last five games. 3.) They are 1-4 against the spread in their last five home games. 4.) Atlanta is 3-6 straight up in its last nine home games.

Atlanta has had an extra week to prepare for this game. The Falcons offense is playing well this season, but the running game had dropped off a bit with a hamstring to tailback Tevin Coleman. The bye came at a perfect time for the Falcons: the middle of November and after a loss.

The Falcons may still feel some bitterness after their road loss to the Eagles. Atlanta hasn’t played at home on close to a month, though the Falcons haven’t shined at the Georgia Dome in recent games. Coleman and shutdown corner Desmond Trufant should be back on Sunday versus the Cardinals.

Matt Ryan usually saves his worst games for when he goes up against the Cardinals secondary. Though Atlanta won their previous meeting over the Cardinals in 2014, this is a series that Ryan usually falters.

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Being that Atlanta needs to win to stay atop the NFC South, the Falcons will get it but won’t cover the four-point spread at home. Look for a Matt Bryant field goal to decide this high-scoring affair in the Georgia Dome on Sunday.

Pick: Falcons 27, Cardinals 24

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