NFL Thursday: Saints, Cardinals are bad, but one gets big spark from return of star player. Our pick
NFL WEEK 7
GREG COTE’S THURSDAY PICK
SAINTS (2-4) at CARDINALS (2-4)
Line: ARI by 2.
Cote’s pick: ARI, 27-20.
TV: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Prime Video.
Saints vs. Cardinals. Papal Bowl? Should the referee don a Pope hat? We digress. The Super Bowl will be played in this same stadium in Glendale on February 12. Safe to say neither of these teams will be in it. Week 7 kicks off with a third straight lousy-looking Thursday night matchup -- although star WR DeAndre Hopkins’ return from a six-game suspension could be the spark Arizona and Kyler Murray (and this game) needs. Cardbirds also added pouty WR Robbie Anderson from Carolina, and the help comes just in time as Zona loses leading receiver Marquise (Hollywood) Brown to a foot injury. N’Awlins and (likely) Andy Dalton also get help as WR Chris Olave returns from a concussion, but I expect the offensive breakout on the home side against a Saints defense allowing the fourth-most points in the league. Arizona also is just plain overdue a strong showing at home. Cards are 0-3 in the desert this season and have lost eight in a row at home dating to last year. The skid ends here.
Note: Betting line courtesy Caesars Sportsbook as of Wednesday afternoon. Picks for remainder of Week 7 games will appear online Thursday afternoon and in print Friday.
