The NFL didn’t disappoint fans this year with a Christmas Day doubleheader that concludes with the Arizona Cardinals hosting the Indianapolis Colts. With both teams very much in the playoff race, both teams will be hungry for a win. At home, the Cardinals are listed as a slim one-point favorite, with the over/under set at 49 points.
Despite being tied for first in the NFC West, the Cardinals might be the team more desperate for a win. They have lost two in a row, including that embarrassing loss to the Lions last week. Not long ago, the Cardinals were the top seed in the NFC, but with a loss this week, they could easily be in a Wild Card spot.
Of course, the Colts would be happy to earn a Wild Card spot. Since Indy got swept by the Titans this year, it would take a lot for the Colts to overcome their one-game deficit in the AFC South. Nevertheless, the Colts have won five of six games and are pushing toward a Wild Card spot if they can keep winning.
Listen to the Chants
The MVP chants for Indy running back Jonathan Taylor continue to get louder. Taylor has been on fire over the last two months and is fresh off a 170-yard performance against the top defense in the NFL last week. On the other hand, the Colts are going to need more out of Carson Wentz, who completed just five of his 12 passes last week for a mere 57 yards.
The Colts are hoping that Taylor and a solid defense can be enough down the stretch. Indy has a Pro Bowler at all three levels of the defense, which is why the Colts have allowed 17 points or less in four of their last five games. The Colts have also excelled at creating takeaways this year, amassing 31 in 14 games.
Anybody Here?
While Kyler Murray is back from injury, the Cardinals are now missing DeAndre Hopkins, with the likes of Rondale Moore, James Conner, and Zach Ertz all questionable this week. In addition to the depleted supporting cast, Murray has just three touchdown passes and three interceptions in his three games since returning from injury. He no longer looks like the MVP candidate he was early in the season but now needs to step up more than ever with the players around him hurting.
Naturally, the Cardinals are going to need more from their defense with the offense in a funk. Despite having a top-5 defense, the Cardinals have allowed 30 points in back-to-back, including last week’s game against the lowly Lions. The silver lining is the linebacker position is the strength of the Arizona defense, which should help them to keep Taylor contained.
The Running Man
The Colts are undefeated this year when Taylor rushes for over 100 yards, and it looks like a good bet that he can do it again. The Colts are going to ride Taylor as far as they can while the Arizona offense isn’t even close to firing on all cylinders. Bet on the Colts to get a road win on Christmas.
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