NFL Week 2 Picks: Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants

Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants
Sunday, 9/14/14, 1:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: New York -1
Current Betting Line: Arizona -2.5
Opening Total: 44.5
Current Total: 43
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Arizona Cardinals are 4-7 ATS as favorites since 2012

Arizona hits the road after a season-opening 18-17 win over the San Diego Chargers as three-point home favorites to close out ESPN’s Monday Night Football doubleheader, as it won the statistical battle by 113 yards. Cardinals signal-caller Carson Palmer really came alive in the final quarter of that affair, which is important to consider when making your Week 2 NFL betting picks, as he completed 8-of-12 passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, the stop unit limited a potent San Diego offense to 290 yards, including just 52 on the ground. Arizona is 8-4 SU and 4-7 ATS as favorites since 2012.

The Cardinals may struggle to create a pass rush and get after Giants quarterback Eli Manning, as 16-year veteran John Abraham is considering retirement after sustaining a concussion Monday. Arizona is already playing without the services of star defensive tackle Darnell Docket for the entire season due to a knee injury.

New York isn’t going to attract much action from sports bettors when looking over the NFL betting odds, as it comes off a 35-14 defeat to the Detroit Lions as 6.5-point road underdogs Monday—getting out-gained by a sizable 220-yard margin. The Giants have won three of the last four meetings in this particular series, including a 31-27 victory as one-point road favorites on Oct. 2, 2011. Manning completed 27-of-40 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns in that affair. New York is 5-10 SU and 6-8-1 ATS as underdogs the last two-plus seasons.

The Giants need to get the ball out to their playmaking wide receivers, as Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle combined for just four catches in the opener. New York has no real vertical passing game at the moment due to its offensive line’s inability to protect Manning on a consistent basis. Running back Rashad Jennings also found it hard to find running room—finishing with 46 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.