The New England Patriots beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-13, covering as 2-point road favorites, on Monday Night Football to wrap up NFL Week 14. The game also stayed Under the betting total of 44 points.
The Cardinals lost starting QB Kyler Murray on the third play from scrimmage when he suffered a non-contact knee injury on a scramble. It was an injury-marred first half as the Patriots also lost RB Rhamondre Stevenson and WR Davante Parker.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Cardinals actually looked to be in control behind backup QB Colt McCoy as they built a 13-7 lead, but twice had to settle for Matt Prater field goals to help keep the Patriots within striking distance. Nick Folk kicked a 51-yard FG as time expired in the first half to cut the lead to 13-10, but the Cardinals still cashed as 1/2-point, first-half underdogs. The first-half total went Over 21.5 points on Folk’s kick.
But the Patriots’ defense took over in the second half, shutting out the Cards the rest of the way as they outscored them 17-0 to cover as 3-point second-half faves. The second-half total stayed Under 21 points.
With the game tied 13-13 with less than six minutes left in the third quarter, the New England defense turned in the key play of the game as LB Raekwon McMillan scooped up a fumble by Arizona WR DeAndre Hopkins and returned it 23 yards for the go-ahead score.
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Favorites went 8-5 straight-up in NFL Week 14, but underdogs still led 8-5 against the spread as the Texans (+17 in 27-23 loss at Cowboys), Jets (+10 in 20-12 loss at Bills) and Broncos (+9 in 34-28 loss vs. Chiefs) covered in losses.
Home teams went 7-6 SU and ATS. Overs went 7-6, but primetime Unders led 2-1 in the Thursday, Sunday and Monday night games.
On the season, faves lead 130-72-2 SU with 4 games closing pick-’em, but dogs still lead 108-90-6 ATS (54.5%).
Home teams lead 111-89-2 SU with 6 neutral-site games and 101-95-6 ATS (51.5%). Unders lead 114-92-2 (55.3%) and primetime Unders improved to 24-18-1 (57.1%).
