Kyler Murray is set to make his presence felt today as he leads the Arizona Cardinals against the New England Patriots. This game is bound to stir emotions, marking Murray’s first return to face the Patriots since his significant ACL injury two years ago. Murray’s week of full practice participation shows he’s in top form, shaking off any remnants of a previous illness, and he’s ready to make his mark with no injury holding him back.
However, it’s not all sunshine for the Cardinals heading into this matchup. The injury report isn’t painting the best picture, with running back Emari Demercado ruled out due to a back injury. This, coupled with the absence of punter Blake Gillikin and cornerback Elijah Jones, leaves some gaps in the special teams and secondary. The defensive line could be in for a rough ride too, as both Naquan Jones and Roy Lopez are questionable. Their potential absence could make the Cardinals’ defense vulnerable against the Patriots.
Here’s how you can catch the Arizona Cardinals vs. New England Patriots game, set to kick off at 4:25 PM ET on December 15, 2024. CBS will cover the action, but if you’re more of a streamer, you’ve got options. Tune in via YouTube TV, check out CBS on FuboTV (they even offer a free trial), explore Paramount+ for more CBS goodies, or dive into NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube if you’re out of market.
Looking at the Patriots’ injury woes, they’ve got some key players sitting out. Wide receiver Javon Baker, defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy, and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace are all sidelined. Meanwhile, there are some uncertainties with a list of questionable players that includes Christian Barmore, Kyle Dugger, Christian Gonzalez, Vederian Lowe, and Cole Strange. These question marks could play a crucial role in how the Patriots’ game plan unfolds today.
For the Cardinals, the key stats come from some standout players. Kyler Murray, with 2,862 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, leads the charge with a QBR that makes any opposing defense wary. Running back James Conner contributes a solid ground game with 863 rushing yards. On the receiving end, Trey McBride has been a reliable target with 851 yards. Meanwhile, Budda Baker and Garrett Williams bring grit to the Cardinals’ defense.
The Patriots, on the other hand, will rely on Drake Maye, who has shown flashes with 1,696 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, though consistency has been lacking. Rhamondre Stevenson leads their rushing attack with 671 yards. Tight end Hunter Henry remains a steady option with 610 receiving yards, while the defensive efforts of Jahlani Tavai and Christian Gonzalez will be crucial in trying to stall Murray and Co.
For Arizona, sitting at 6-7, this game is a pivotal moment in preserving their dwindling playoff hopes. Meanwhile, the Patriots have hit a rough patch with a 3-10 record, coupled with a nagging three-game losing streak. Despite the struggles, the Cardinals have shown flashes of offensive brilliance under Kyler Murray, which could be decisive in exploiting the Patriots’ defensive vulnerabilities.
Most pundits are giving the edge to Arizona, predicting a range of possible outcomes that see them come out on top. Whether it’s a narrow 20-19 victory or a more comfortable 27-17 win, the Cardinals need to capitalize on the Patriots’ shaky pass defense if they’re to keep their playoff hopes alive and kicking.
