Entering their final game before a week 11 bye, the Buffalo Bills travel to Arizona to battle the Cardinals in one of the late afternoon slots. Able to get back on track offensively last Sunday, the Bills upset the red hot Seattle Seahawks 44-34. They advanced to 7-2 for the first time since the 1993 season. Upset in week number 9 in a home matchup with the Miami Dolphins. The Cardinals saw their three-game win streak snapped. Dropping them into a second-place tie with the Los Angeles Rams. A battle between two of the games elite offenses; here’s what to expect in this one.
Buffalo
Riding high after a victory over the NFC leading Seattle Seahawks in week number 9. Third-year quarterback Josh Allen played one of the best games of his young career. Throwing just seven incomplete passes, the Bills quarterback finished the game 31-38 for 415 yards and three touchdowns.
Needing to be sharp once again on Sunday, the Cardinals will look to get back cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick and Byron Murphy to go with shutdown cornerback Patrick Peterson and stellar safety Budda Baker in one of the most improved secondaries in the league. With starting center Mitch Morse and right tackle Cody Ford both expected to play in this one,
Allen should have time in the pocket. The Cardinals have struggled to generate a pass rush at points this season. Straying away from the run game with one of the best wide receiver cores in the game, look for this one to come down to play of the Bills pass catchers against Arizona’s secondary.
Tasked with another tough matchup after slowing down Russell Wilson and company a week ago, the Bills defense will have their hands full with second-year quarterback Kyler Murray. Dynamic through the air and on the ground this season. He leads the team and ranks eighth in the league with 543 rushing yards through nine weeks. Needing to stay disciplined while keeping contain along the defensive line, if he can get loose, it will be a long day for Leslie Frazier’s group chasing him around.
Arizona
Unable to hold up defensively in their week 9 loss to the Dolphins, the Cardinals defense allowed rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to throw for 248 yards and two scores. Currently ranked 21st in the league in yards per game with over 391 given up per contest. The team will have their hands full with the high-powered Bills passing attack in this one.
Expected to be without defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and with Baker hindered by a groin injury, it will be all hands on deck for Vance Joseph’s group. Running more four receiver personnel than any other team in the league, one matchup to watch in this one will be between star wideout Stefon Diggs and shutdown cornerback Peterson. One of the highest targeted players in the game. Diggs, currently leads the NFL in receiving yards through nine weeks of the season with 813. Still playing at a high level at the age of 30. Peterson has held the former Vikings receiver to just 11 catches for 73 yards in their three previous matchups.
Firmly in the MVP race at the midpoint of the 2020 season, Murray and the Cardinals offense should again be in for a big week. Down three starting defensive backs after it was announced that starting cornerback Josh Norman tested positive for Covis-19 with Levi Wallace and safety Dean Marlowe being deemed as close contacts.
The Bills defense will have their hands full. One of the heaviest blitzing teams in the league at over 36 percent of the time, Arizona’s offensive line has allowed just 1.2 sacks per game on average. Adept at running the read-option, Leslie Frazier’s group has also struggled against mobile quarterbacks all season long. Allowing 179 rushing yards and four scores on 35 attempts, if Murray is able to get going with his legs, Kill Kingsbury’s team will be set up for success.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, November 15th
Start Time: 4:05 P.M. EST
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Stadium: State Farm Stadium
TV Info: CBS
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Points Spread: ARZ -3.5 (-110) | BUF +3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: ARZ -170 | BUF +140
Over/Under: O 56.5 (-110) | U 56.5 (-110)
A challenging game to measure with both teams able to score at will offensively. With the Bills defense down three defensive backs, take the Cardinals to cover the 3.5 spread and at a -170 price on the money line. After not having a game go over during their first six weeks of the season, Arizona has seen both of their last two contests go over the number. With the Bills going over the game total in six of their nine games this season, and with both offenses red hot, the over is a lock in this one.
Prediction
A game destined to be a back and forth affair. Both teams need victories to keep pace in their respective divisional races. Fresh off a loss to the Dolphins last week, look for Kliff Kingsbury‘s team to head into this one extra motivated as they remain just one game back of the Seahawks. With a bye week insight and the second of two cross country trips in this one. Look for the Cardinals to squeak out a victory over the Bills in this one.
Final Score: Buffalo 30 Arizona 35
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
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