While the two winning teams of last year’s conference championships kicked off the 2016 season Thursday night, the two losing teams from each of those games will meet on Sunday Night Football, as the New England Patriots travel to U of Phoenix Stadium to take on the Arizona Cardinals.
Here’s a complete look at all the betting info you need to know, as well as a prediction for the outcome of the Week 1 prime-time matchup:
Patriots vs. Cardinals Week 1 Betting Info
Note: All odds and numbers courtesy of OddsShark.com and are updated as of September 10
Spread: ARI (-7)
Betting Percentages: 60 percent on ARI (-6.5)
Over/Under: 44.5
Betting Percentages: 51 percent on Over 44.5
Prediction
Not only are the Patriots without Tom Brady, their future Hall of Fame quarterback, but they’ll also be without Rob Gronkowski, their future Hall of Fame tight end, Nate Solder, their starting left tackle and Dion Lewis, their dynamic pass-catching back
The downgrade from Brady to Jimmy Garoppolo, who has attempted 31 career passes, is obviously a big one, but it’s also important to remember how important Gronk is to this offense.
Over the last three years, the Pats are averaging 30.27 points per game with their bruising tight end in the lineup (37 games), and 23.36 points without him (11 games), a difference of more than a full touchdown.
Against many opponents, Bill Belichick’s coaching and New England’s stingy defense might be enough to make up for all the missing key ingredients on offense. But the Cardinals are one of the deepest teams in the NFL, they boast game-changing weapons on both sides of the ball, and they blitz more than anyone, which could be a huge problem for a decimated offensive line and an inexperienced QB missing two of the most dynamic offensive playmakers in the NFL.
Throw in the fact that Arizona is at home, and Bruce Arians squad should prevail on Sunday night.
Prediction: Cardinals 27, Patriots 13 (Cardinals straight up, Cardinals against the spread, Under 44.5)