Early Downs › Week 16

Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints: Week 16 preview

• The Arizona Cardinals (2-5) visit the New Orleans Saints (2-5) on Sun, Dec 27 · 1:00 PM ET.
• The Cardinals offense ranks 19th in EPA per play (−0.02); the Saints defense ranks 26th (+0.08 allowed). Biggest Cardinals edges: rushing success rate, non-explosive EPA per play, average 3rd-down distance. The Saints defense holds the edge in explosive run rate.
• The Saints offense ranks 21st in EPA per play (−0.03); the Cardinals defense ranks 28th (+0.11 allowed). Biggest Saints edges: EPA per dropback, yards per dropback. The Cardinals defense holds the edge in EPA per designed run, average 3rd-down distance, rushing success rate.
• Luck check: the Saints have been unlucky (−2.4 points per game from kicking and fumble luck).
• Pace: projected for about 132 total snaps, 3 more than a typical game.
• Weather: Indoors, so weather isn't a factor.