Arizona at New England

Last week was Arizona's worst game of the year. They got down 14-0 early to the Vikings on a punt return and long TD pass and they never recovered. Combine that with the fact that the Pats are off their best game of the season against Oakland, and the oddsmakers have been fored to inflate this one to offer value on the Cards. These teams are just about a dead-heat statistically on defense and at the same time the Cards have an offensive advantage. Sure, New England has been the "hotter" team of late. But is not too often that you see a line posted at this lofty level when the team getting the points is, at the worst, the just as good on both sides of the ball. Arizona has the QB advantage as Kurt Warner has a rating 10 points higher than Cassel. The Cards get a pass last week as they are a good team. They clinched the division and had no interest against the Vikings and it showed. They took the week off. They were blitzed by the media, and you can bet they have something to play for here. It is the Patriots and a measuring-stick game for this team, and their ability to go on the road and play a tough team. The weather could become a factor here with rain, snow, and wind in the forecast offering further value in the already inflated line. I'll back the Cards, and fade the Pats here in a buy-low, sell-high situation.