GameScope NFL research

ARI at NO uncertain forecast

Sun, Dec 27 at 1:00 PM ET · Caesars Superdome

Most likely outcome
NO wins — 64.5%
ARI win
35.5%
NO win
64.5%

Expected score: ARI 19.5 – NO 26.7

Total anchored to the league-wide baseline of 46.2 points — a shared baseline, not a matchup-specific forecast.

Home-field adjustment included (+65 Elo rating points)

Fair odds (display only): ARI 2.82 · NO 1.55

How this forecast is calculated

Team ratings (Elo): ARI 1406.6 vs NO 1445.2. 393 games trained (Oct 30).

Model: nfl-elo-v2 — Elo ratings trained on real ESPN results (2025 regular+postseason and 2026 regular season to date), chronological replay, K=20, home advantage = 65 Elo rating points, applied only at true home venues: games the feed flags neutral-site get no home bonus, in training and in prediction. Totals baseline is the mean total points of the training games (measured, not assumed). Score-model spread/total probabilities use the engine's bivariate-normal assumptions (score std 13.5, correlation 0.3) — documented approximations, not measured NFL parameters. No backtest against closing lines exists; treat all outputs as experimental uncertain forecasts.

What the win probability uses: Elo ratings only, plus a home-field adjustment of 65 Elo rating points at true home venues (no adjustment at feed-flagged neutral sites).

Contextual research (displayed, not in the calculation): Contextual research only — form, rest, injuries, head-to-head, weather, and travel do not change the win probability above.

Totals: Expected scores are centered on a shared league-wide totals baseline of 46.2 points (the mean total of the training games) — a baseline, not a matchup-specific forecast.

Score-distribution assumptions: Spread/total probabilities assume team scores are bivariate normal (score std 13.5, correlation 0.3) — documented approximations, not measured NFL parameters.

Validation status: No backtest against closing lines exists. Treat all outputs as experimental uncertain forecasts.

Data used

Form & rest contextual research

ARI (2-5) — 62 days rest

Last 5: 1-4 (1 straight loss)

Oct 25, 2026DENL16-30
Oct 18, 2026LARW18-16
Oct 11, 2026DETL21-45
Oct 4, 2026NYGL24-36
Sep 27, 2026SFL30-36

NO (2-5) — 63 days rest

Last 5: 1-4 (1 straight loss)

Oct 25, 2026PITL10-16
Oct 18, 2026NYGW34-27
Oct 11, 2026MINL13-23
Oct 5, 2026ATLL24-45
Sep 27, 2026LVL27-35

Head-to-head contextual research NO 0 - ARI 1

Coverage: 2024-2026 regular+postseason schedules (ESPN)

DateScoreWinner
Sep 7, 2025NO 13 - ARI 20ARI

Injuries contextual research

Week 8 report — availability for Week 16 unknown. These designations were published for Week 8's games. They are the latest available report, kept as dated context; they do not say who will be available in Week 16.

ARI

Mack Wilson Sr.QuestionableWilson (knee) was limited in Thursday's practice, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Michael WilsonQuestionableWilson (ribs) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Tyler AllgeierQuestionableAllgeier (toe) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Jeremiyah LoveQuestionableLove (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Hjalte FroholdtQuestionablequestionable
Andrew WingardQuestionableWingard (knee) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Elijah WilkinsonQuestionablequestionable
Jalen BrooksInjured ReserveThe Cardinals placed Brooks (wrist) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Max MeltonQuestionablequestionable
Walter Nolen IIIQuestionablequestionable
Jon Gaines IIQuestionablequestionable
Tip ReimanOutHead coach Mike LaFleur stated he's "not too sure" if Reiman (ankle) will play this season, Dani Sureck of the Cardinals' official site reports.
James ConnerInjured ReserveWhen asked Monday if Conner (foot) will play this season, coach Mike LaFleur said "potentially," Dani Sureck of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Show all 25 (12 more)
Carson BeckActiveBeck (back) practiced in full Thursday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Kei'Trel ClarkActive
Zaven CollinsActive
Budda BakerActiveBaker logged two tackles (one solo) during Sundays' 30-16 loss to Denver.
Jack GibbensActiveGibbens recorded seven tackles (four solo) in a 30-16 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Elijah HigginsActiveHiggins caught all three of his targets for 17 yards and made one tackle on kick coverage in the Cardinals' 30-16 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Kendrick BourneActiveBourne caught three of six targets for nine yards during Sunday's 30-16 loss versus the Broncos.
Albert Reese IVActive
Bam KnightActiveKnight accrued seven carries for 48 yards and reeled in three of five targets for 15 yards during Sunday's 30-16 defeat to the Broncos.
Jacoby BrissettActiveBrissett completed 27 of 48 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown while rushing seven times for 16 yards in Sunday's 30-16 loss to the Broncos.
Chad RylandActiveRyland went 3-for-3 on field-goal tries and converted his only extra-point attempt during Sunday's 30-16 loss to Denver.
Trey McBrideActiveMcBride caught 10 of 13 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-16 loss to the Broncos.

NO

Cesar RuizQuestionablequestionable
Nathan ShepherdQuestionablequestionable
Justin ReidQuestionableReid (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris.
CJ DonaldsonQuestionableDonaldson (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris.
Show all 25 (21 more)
Carl GrandersonActiveGranderson totaled four tackles, including 1.5 sacks, in Sunday's Week 7 loss to Pittsburgh.
Pete WernerActiveWerner finished Sunday's loss to the Steelers with eight tackles (three solo).
Jonas SankerActiveSanker posted nine tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's Week 7 loss to Pittsburgh.
Noah FantActiveFant gathered in all two targets for 11 yards during Sunday's 16-10 defeat against Pittsburgh.
Bryce LanceActiveLance reeled in all two targets for 12 yards during Sunday's 16-10 loss to Pittsburgh.
Kendre MillerActiveMiller rushed eight times for six yards in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Steelers in Paris.
Barion BrownActiveBrown hauled in all three targets for 57 yards during Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Steelers.
Mike ReidActive
Tyree WilsonActive
John Ridgeway IIIActive
Treyton WelchActive
Zach WilsonActive
Juwan JohnsonActiveJohnson caught one of three targets for seven yards during Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Steelers.
Devaughn VeleActiveVele caught all five of his targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Steelers.
Alvin KamaraActiveKamara carried the ball six times for five yards and caught all seven of his targets for 57 yards in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Steelers.
Daniel CarlsonActiveCarlson went 1-for-2 on field-goal attempts and made his lone extra-point try during Sundays' 16-10 loss to the Steelers in Paris.
Tyler ShoughActiveShough completed 30 of 38 passes for 278 yards and one touchdown with one interception in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Steelers. He added seven rushing yards on three carries.
Chris OlaveActiveOlave caught six of 10 targets for 56 yards in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Steelers.
Spencer RattlerActiveRattler is active and will remain the Saints' No. 2 quarterback for Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.
Anfernee JenningsActiveJennings (knee) does not have any injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Kaden EllissActiveElliss (calf) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Labels: Out = confirmed unavailable; Doubtful = projected unavailable; Questionable = projected uncertain.

Weather & travel contextual research

n/a — indoor venue

Travel (ARI): ~1,324 miles, 1h time-zone shift east

Research only — not betting advice. All probabilities are uncertain forecasts from a simple model, never guarantees or 'locks'. GameScope places no wagers.
Scores/records/injuries: ESPN unofficial API (live). Weather: MET Norway.