Patriots vs Cardinals: Keys to the Patriots keeping their playoff hopes alive

The New England Patriots (6-6) hope to avoid a third straight loss and keep their slimming playoff hopes alive when they travel to Glendale, Arizona to face the Arizona Cardinals (4-8) on Monday Night Football.

In what is shaping up to be the most important game of the season for the Patriots, they have their work cut out facing a Cardinals team that is better than their record indicates. In order to avoid falling below .500, here are the keys to winning for the Patriots.

Check out the top sportsbook bonuses for betting on the Cardinals/Patriots 

1.

4.6/5

DraftKings Promo Code

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $200 in Bonuses Instantly!

USA Players Welcome

Min. Deposit: 5

Open DraftKings

Get bonus now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. Wagering offered by DK Sportsbook. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 6/28/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

2.

4.6/5

FanDuel Promo Code

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed – When You Bet $5 for 7 Days!

USA Players Welcome

Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: 5

Open FanDuel

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, KY, WV). Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.gamblersanonymous.org . Must be 21+ in NJ, PA, MI, or WV. $10 first deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus spins which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. Contact 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

3.

4.5/5

BetMGM Promo Code

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

USA Players Welcome

Min. Deposit: $5

Open BetMGM

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.

4.3/5

Fanatics Promo Code

10 x $100 bet match in FanCash

USA Players Welcome

Open Fanatics

Get bonus now

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)

5.

Caesars Promo Code

Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets

USA Players Welcome

Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit

Best Alternative

Open DraftKings

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

Get The Ball Out Quickly

 Quarterback Mac Jones might not be a fan of this game plan after some choice words during their last Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills, but the Cardinals defensive tendencies call for the ball to be out quickly. Check out the top football betting strategies.

The Cardinals are second in the league in dialing up blitzes, and they do get to the quarterback. They are second in the league in QB knockdowns and fifth in QB pressures. They also rank tied for fourth in passes batted at the line, so the offensive line will need to do better-cut blocking than they have in recent weeks. The Patriots offensive line is banged up, specifically at both tackle positions, so Jones will need to identify pre-snap where the pressure is coming and find his hot read.

The Patriots receivers will need to do their best Deebo Samuel impersonation and grind out as many yards after the catch as they can against a defense that has allowed the most yards after the catch and is ranked fourth in missed tackles.

Keep Kyler Murray In The Pocket

 This is much, much easier said than done. Kyler Murray is one of the most athletically gifted quarterbacks we have seen in NFL history. He has the ability to escape the pocket and create game changing plays out of nothing.

However, his passing numbers this season have been below average. His passer rating this season is the lowest of his career, his intended and completed air yards are on track for career lows, and while he has taken care of the ball better than before, he is also making far less plays than we are accustomed to seeing.

The Patriots have struggled to contain the likes of Lamar Jackson and Justin Fields in matchups earlier this season, so it remains unknown whether this defense has the capacity to bottle up Murray.

Check out the top sportsbooks for betting on the Cardinals/Patriots

4.6/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $200 in Bonuses Instantly!

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. Wagering offered by DK Sportsbook. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 6/28/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed – When You Bet $5 for 7 Days!

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, KY, WV). Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.gamblersanonymous.org . Must be 21+ in NJ, PA, MI, or WV. $10 first deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus spins which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. Contact 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

All Eyes On DeAndre Hopkins

 Another game, another top receiver in the league went up against the Patriots defense. Wideouts Justin Jefferson and Stefon Diggs enjoyed their days against the New England secondary, combining for 16 catches, 231 yards, and both reached the end zone.

De facto defensive coordinator Steve Belichick will have his hands full with how to stop DeAndre Hopkins, who has been on a tear this season. Hopkins, who traditionally lines up on the offense’s left side, has been on the move this season. He has played in the slot 26% of the time this season, the third-highest rate of his career and his highest rate since 2019, according to Pro Football Focus. Check out the top football odds.

It will be tougher to double him since he moves around a lot more than usual, so it will be up to cornerbacks Jonathan Jones and rookie Jack Jones. Both corners posted their season-worst PFF grades in coverage, thanks to the incredible route running of Diggs. This week will not be much different against Hopkins. Both Jonathan and Jack will need to bring their A-game for D-Hop.