W2W4: New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals
By Hal Bent
SUMMARY AND SCORE PREDICTION
The Patriots have a tough road game to open 2016. With starters Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Jonathan Cooper, Sebastian Vollmer, Rob Ninkovich, and Nate Solder out it makes an already a tough match-up that much more difficult. By playing without all of them it makes it almost impossible to predict a win on the road. The Cardinals are going to be loud, aggressive, and attacking on both sides of the ball.
Arizona has big-play receivers, explosive running backs, and Carson Palmer playing the best football of his career. The first team offense struggled in the preseason and may start slow, but the offense can put together long, clock-killing drives and also strike quick. Their versatility makes them so dangerous.
New England has Jimmy Garoppolo having to face the blitz-happy Cardinals. Patrick Peterson is arguably one of the best cornerbacks (and punt returners) in the NFL. One mistake by Garoppolo and the Cardinals could have six points on the board without the ir offense taking the field.
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New England has to limit their own turnovers (difficult with a ball-hawking defense like the Cardinals and with a quarterback making his first NFL start) and the defense is going to have to make more than one big play. Turnovers, big plays on special teams, or Arizona beating themselves has to happen for the Patriots to get a win on the road.
It’s not that it is impossible, but it will be difficult. I do not think it happens this week.