 NFL Pick - Arizona @ New England
Arizona (1-0 SU and ATS) at New England (0-1, 1-0 ATS)
Cardinals first-round pick Matt Leinart makes his debut in New England against a Patriots team that’s banged up on the defensive side of the ball.
Leinart will see action in the second quarter after starter Kurt Warner takes all the snaps in the opening period. Warner went 9-for-13 for 118 yards and two touchdowns in the Cardinals’ 21-13 win over the Steelers last week as a 4½-point home chalk. John Navarre, who went 11 of 15 for 60 yards but threw two interceptions while playing the second half last week, will be under center in the third quarter, with Rohan Davey playing the fourth.
Arizona RB Edgerrin James had just two carries in the opener, and coach Dennis Green will likely sit him out for tonight’s game.
Patriots’ QB Tom Brady will see increased playing time against the Cardinals after going 4-for-4 for 24 yards in limited play last week in Atlanta, where New England fell 26-23 as a three-point road underdog. Backup Matt Cassell went 13-of-26 for 229 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons, and he’ll get another long look tonight as coaches try to determine if he’s ready to be Brady’s backup.
New England linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Monty Beisel will not play.
The Patriots are 13-8 (12-7-2 ATS) in the last five preseasons, including 7-3 at home (6-4 ATS).
With last week’s win, Arizona improved to 9-4 over the last four summers (10-3 ATS). During that stretch, the Cards are also 5-1 SU and ATS on the road.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ARIZONA  | 
