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Note: After this article was published, Saturday's Cardinals vs. Saints game was canceled. Saturday's Week 3 2021 NFL preseason matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints was initially scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET, but its start time changed due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Ida. The early afternoon matchup at the Caesars Superdome is expected to be a close contest. Kyler Murray won't play for the Cardinals, and Jameis Winston has won the Saints' quarterback battle, so neither side is likely to risk much in the preseason finale. 

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists New Orleans as a 3.5-point favorite. The over-under for total points is set at 34 in the latest Saints vs. Cardinals odds. Before making any Cardinals vs. Saints picks or NFL predictions, make sure you see what SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White has to say.

CBS Sports' Fantasy and gambling editor, White, ended the 2020 season on an 80-59 run on all NFL picks, returning more than $1,400 during that span. It's no surprise, as White has cashed huge twice in the world's most prestigious football handicapping competition, the Las Vegas SuperContest.

White went 103-83-5 (+1020) during the 2020 regular season and playoffs and is coming off a 3-0 week on ATS preseason picks.

Now, White has set his sights on Saints vs. Cardinals. You can head to SportsLine to see his picks. Here are several NFL betting lines and trends for Cardinals vs. Saints:

  • Cardinals vs. Saints spread: Saints -3.5
  • Cardinals vs. Saints over-under: 34 points
  • Cardinals vs. Saints money line: Saints -175, Cardinals +150
  • ARZ: The Cardinals were 4-4 against the spread on the road last season
  • NO: The Saints were 4-4 against the spread at home last season

Why the Cardinals can cover

Arizona is 0-2 and has lost by an average of five points in the preseason thus far. However, this game could give the Cardinals a chance to bounce back. Murray isn't playing, but the Saints are also planning to rest their starters. New Orleans' preseason games have been decided by an average of 2.5 points so far. 

The home team will have less on the line now that Winston has been named the starter. Less time under center for starting-caliber quarterbacks could lead to a close game.

Why the Saints can cover

The Cardinals struggled to get any offense going in either of their first two preseason games. There's no guarantee that they'll get things together on the road. Arizona's depth chart behind Murray is suspect. The road team's quarterbacks have completed less than 63 percent of their passes so far, and the Saints are one of the NFL's tougher teams to score against at Ceasars Stadium. 

New Orleans' reserve skill players have shown much more promise than the Cardinals', so Arizona have a tough time matching the Saints' scoring.

How to make Cardinals vs. Saints picks

White is leaning under on the total, and he has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's only sharing what it is, and who to back, at SportsLine.

Who wins Saints vs. Cardinals? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see White's picks, all from the NFL expert who's crushed his NFL picks, and find out.