The Cardinals and Giants enter Week 4 in a spot that feels like it could tilt either way, but the clearest edge in this matchup may be on the scoreboard rather than the side.
New York is back home after a quick rebound last week, when it followed a 28-6 primetime loss to the Rams that cost it Jaxson Dart with a 12-7 win over the Titans. Arizona, meanwhile, has dropped two straight since opening the season with an upset over the Chargers. The Cardinals did at least cash in against the number in last week’s 36-30 loss in San Francisco, covering as 7.5-point underdogs.
The betting market has already made a sharp move on this one. Arizona opened as a 2.5-point underdog, but injury news pushed the Cardinals all the way to -2.5 favorites. The total has also ticked up, climbing from 43.5 to 44.5.
The case for points is pretty straightforward. As SI Betting’s Iain MacMillan laid out in his Road to 272 Bets column, both defenses have been among the league’s weakest groups.
The Giants and Cardinals rank 27th and 29th in opponent EPA per play, 24th and 26th in opponent success rate, and 26th and 31st in opponent yards per play. Arizona’s offense, by contrast, sits in the top half of the league in several key categories, which fits with the talent it can throw on the field.
“There are a lot of question marks surrounding the Giants' offense with Jaxson Dart out, but one thing we know for certain with these two teams is that both defenses are amongst the worst in the NFL.”
That’s the kind of setup that points to an OVER, even with the number still sitting in a relatively modest range.
“I agree with MacMillan here. I can’t stomach betting on the Cardinals or Giants right now, but this should be a wide-open game given the defensive deficiencies on both sides.”
The expectation here is for both offenses to find enough room to work, even if New York’s output looks more like last week’s 12-point showing than Arizona’s 36-30 shootout in San Francisco. Still, the read is for another OVER at MetLife Stadium, with the Giants doing enough to get it done at home.
In Other News...
Cardinals Just Sent A Clear Message On Marvin Harrison Jr
The early chatter around Marvin Harrison Jr. has not changed Arizonas thinking, at least for now. Despite a slow start to the 2026 season and some trade speculation beginning to swirl, the Cardinals reportedly are not interested in moving the young receiver and continue to view him as part of the roster they want to build around.
ESPNs Dan Graziano reported that Arizona has already made other offensive investments, which helps explain why Harrison is not being treated like a player on the block. The stance could evolve later, but the current plan is for Harrison to stay in Arizona, giving the Cardinals a chance to let the situation settle before anything more dramatic enters the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Suddenly Have A Bigger Pass Rush Concern Before Giants
The Cardinals head into their Week 4 matchup with the Giants already managing a thin margin on defense, with safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson ruled out because of a back injury and edge rusher Josh Sweat listed as questionable with a groin issue. New York, by contrast, enters the game without any players on its injury report, which only sharpens the pressure on Arizona to clean up a pass rush that has been part of the conversation all week.
Coach Mike LaFleur has already pointed to the recent struggles up front and said the team has spent its prep time trying to get sharper for Sunday. For a Cardinals defense trying to create more disruption, Sweats status looms large because the difference between a manageable rotation and a real concern can show up quickly when a game plan hinges on getting to the quarterback. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Quarterback Plan Leaves One Big Cardinals Question Unanswered
The Giants are heading into their matchup with the Cardinals with a clear answer at one of the most important spots on the field, as veteran Jameis Winston is set to start while the offense continues to bring J.J. McCarthy along. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said McCarthy still needs more time to learn the system before he can be trusted in a meaningful game, leaving New York to lean on a familiar hand as it prepares for Arizona.
For the Cardinals, the bigger issue may be how much uncertainty still hangs over the Giants quarterback room beyond Winston. McCarthys status for the game remains unclear, and Jake Haener is expected to serve as the primary backup, which leaves Arizona waiting to see exactly what kind of depth chart it will be dealing with by kickoff. [Read more 🡒]