New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals Odds

Following back-to-back defeats, the Arizona Cardinals will be looking to get back in the win column when they host the New York Giants Sunday.

Odds makers currently have the Cardinals listed as a 1-point underdog with the total set at 44.5.

After opening the season with a 28-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers, the Cardinals have endured losses to the Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks.

They blew leads in both losses. Last week, Arizona took a 10-6 lead into halftime and never scored again in a 13-10 loss to the defending NFC West champions.

Kevin Kolb completed 25 of 39 passes for 252 yards and had a touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald but was picked off twice.

Since a poor showing at Washington in their season opener, the Giants have bounced back with a pair of wins over the St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Giants won 29-16 at Philadelphia last week behind a strong performance by Eli Manning, who connected on 16 of 23 passes for 254 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. His day added up to a superb passer rating of 145.7.

Philly had no answer for Victor Cruz, who caught three passes for 110 yards with two going for scores.

Another efficient performance from Manning will go a long way toward a victory. However, New York’s running game could take center stage in the desert.

The Arizona stop unit, which allowed Seattle to rack up 122 rushing yards last week, ranks 27th in the NFL with 122.7 yards allowed per game on the ground.

The Giants have cracked the century mark on the ground each of the last two weeks. Ahmad Bradshaw, who led the team with 1,235 rushing yards last season, currently leads the squad with 189 rushing yards.

The Cardinals, who rank 16th in the NFL with 253.3 passing yards per game, have done most of their damage through the air. Kolb will have a chance to rack up some passing yards against a New York stop unit that ranks 20th in the league with 255 passing yards allowed per game.

Kolb will catch a big break if defensive ends Osi Umeyiora and Justin Tuck aren’t able to go. Umenyiora is yet to play this season as he continues to recover from knee surgery. Tuck is nursing a groin injury. Both players are currently listed as questionable for Sunday.

These teams have split the last six meetings with the Cardinals winning the most recent one 24-17 on the road on Oct. 25, 2009.

The Giants have been one of the strongest road wagers in recent years, going 28-13 against the spread in their last 41 road games. It’s also worth noting that the road team is 7-3 against the spread in the last 10 meetings in this series.

In regard to the total, the under has been the play. These teams have played to the under in seven of the last nine meetings.

Jimmy Boyd is off to a hot 6-2-1 start with his Sunday NFL plays through the first three weeks of the season. He is on a dominant 34-18-1 run (excludes preseason) on the pro gridiron dating back to last season. Join him again this Sunday for more expert premium picks!