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Pro Picks takes Cardinals to snap 8-game home losing skid

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Graphic shows NFL team matchups and predicts the winners; 3c x 1/2 inches

A pair of underachieving 2-4 teams face off on Thursday night when the Arizona Cardinals host the New Orleans Saints.

Maybe, the winner can turn its season around.

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Kyler Murray and the Cardinals get DeAndre Hopkins back for the first time since a knee injury sidelined him for the final three games of last season and a six-game suspension for violating the NFLā€™s policy on performance-enhancing drugs delayed his return.

Arizona is 3-9 in its past 12 games since a 10-2 start in 2021. Hopkinsā€™ injuries and absence from the lineup coincided with that slide.

ā€œI hope that he can provide just a spark,ā€ Cardinals coach Kilff Kingsbury said. ā€œThe way he competes and his play-making, his after-the-catch stuff, heā€™s a guy you get it close to him heā€™s going to make a play on the ball.ā€

The Saints expect leading receiver Chris Olave back after he missed a game with a concussion but are dealing with several injuries. Theyā€™ve averaged 30 points with backup quarterback Andy Dalton while going 1-2 in the past three games. Two losses were by an average of 3.5 points.

The Cardinals are only a 1 1/2-point favorite, per FanDuel Sportsbook, at home, where they have lost eight straight games. Arizonaā€™s most recent home win was against Houston last Oct. 24.

Pro Picks sees that losing streak ending.

CARDINALS, 24-20

Kansas City (minus 3) at San Francisco

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs watched Josh Allen and the Bills avenge a playoff loss. The 49ers canā€™t do much in the second half.

BEST BET: CHIEFS, 29-20

Indianapolis (plus 2 1/2) at Tennessee

Coming off a bye, the Titans aim to complete a season sweep over their AFC South rival. The Colts have rallied to win two straight games behind Matt Ryan.

UPSET SPECIAL: COLTS, 24-23

Detroit (plus 7) at Dallas

Dak Prescott may be rusty if he returns, as planned, after missing five games. It wonā€™t affect the outcome, only the score.

COWBOYS, 23-20

New York Giants (plus 3) at Jacksonville

After beating the Packers and Ravens in consecutive weeks, the Giants get no respect from oddsmakers going against a Jaguars team that has lost three in a row.

JAGUARS, 22-17

Cleveland (plus 6 1/2) at Baltimore

If the Ravens avoid taking a double-digit lead, theyā€™ll be fine. Baltimore has lost three of its six games after taking a double-digit lead in every game.

RAVENS, 27-22

Atlanta (plus 6 1/2) at Cincinnati

Two teams sitting at 3-3 when both were supposed to be heading in opposite directions. The Bengals are reigning AFC champions. The Falcons are rebuilding.

BENGALS, 28-17

Green Bay (minus 5 1/2) at Washington

Good news for the Packers that theyā€™re done facing New York teams. They also go against a team missing its starting quarterback.

PACKERS, 26-17

Tampa Bay (minus 10 1/2) at Carolina

Tom Brady isnā€™t happy after another poor performance. That doesnā€™t bode well for the Panthers.

BUCCANEERS, 34-13

Houston (plus 7) at Las Vegas

The Raiders are rested and ready to bounce back from a poor start. The Texans are touchdown underdogs despite a slightly better winning percentage at 1-3-1.

RAIDERS, 27-16

New York Jets (plus 1 1/2) at Denver

Russell Wilsonā€™s first season with the Broncos hasnā€™t gone as planned. The Jets are off to their best start in seven years.

BRONCOS, 23-20

Seattle (plus 6 1/2) at Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers will be coming off an overtime win over a divisional rival on a short week. That helps the Seahawks.

CHARGERS, 27-22

Pittsburgh (plus 7) at Miami

The Steelers try for their second straight win over a Florida team. They wonā€™t catch the Dolphins off their guard.

DOLPHINS, 23-17

Chicago (plus 7 1/2) at New England

Bailey Zappe or Mac Jones? The Patriots could bring back Steve Grogan against this Bears team.

PATRIOTS, 23-16

2022 RECORD

Last Week: Straight up: 8-6. Against spread: 10-4.

Season: Straight up: 57-37. Against spread: 50-43-1.

Best Bet: Straight up: 0-1. Against spread: 0-1.

Season: Straight up: 4-2. Against spread: 4-2.

Upset Special: Straight up: 1-0. Against spread: 1-0.

Season: Straight up: 3-3. Against spread: 4-2

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Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi

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More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


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