The Arizona Cardinals took steps in the right direction a year ago churning out an 8-8 SU record regardless of the fact that Kliff Kingsbury’s troops opened the season with five wins through their first seven games. Still, the team just barely cashed over tickets on their win total at online sportsbooks. While injuries and COVID played a role with the team managing just three wins over its final nine games, inexperience and the absence of a vocal leader ultimately kept this team out of the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Kyler Murray was only able to do so much. Once his smallish frame started to break down due to all the punishing hits at the tail end of the schedule, Zona simply had little left in the tank. Upper management made a number of moves in the offseason to rectify the situation. An exceptional talent in Zaven Collins was brought in via the draft to pair with last year’s first round pick Isaiah Simmons. J.J. Watt and James Conner were also snatched up to help mentor all the youngsters littered up and down Zona’s roster on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals offense is already on the verge of being one of the best in the league. If paired with a defense that can build upon last year’s marks, the sky’s the limit for a team competing in arguably the toughest division in the National Football League.
Arizona Cardinals Season Win Total: 8.5 Under -128
Many are of the belief this is a make-or-break season for the ‘ol ball coach. Arizona stands 13-18-1 through his first two seasons in the desert. While there was improvement from Kingsbury’s debut season a year ago, the team will have to show even more improvement in year three. If Murray doesn’t take another step forward and the defense continues to struggle with all the reinforcements brought in throughout the offseason, the odds are high that Kingsbury will be shown the door come season’s end. This year’s squad possesses the highest win total odds since he bolted the collegiate ranks for the pros. Kingsbury hasn’t lost season win total bettors money thus far pushing in 2019 and going over by half a game in 2020.
NFL Regular Season Wins Odds at BookMaker
Arizona Cardinals Football Schedule
Week 1: Cardinals at Titans, Sunday, September 9, 1 p.m. ET
Week 2: Vikings at Cardinals, Sunday, September 19, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 3: Cardinals at Jaguars, Sunday, September 26, 1 p.m. ET
Week 4: Cardinals at Rams, Sunday, October 3, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 5: 49ers at Cardinals, Sunday, October 10, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 6: Cardinals at Browns, Sunday, October 14, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 7: Texans at Cardinals, Sunday, October 24, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 8: Packers at Cardinals, Thursday, October 28, 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network
Week 9: Cardinals at 49ers, Sunday, November 14, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 10: Panthers at Cardinals, Sunday, November 14, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 11: Cardinals at Seahawks, Sunday, November 21, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 12: Bye Week
Week 13: Cardinals at Bears, Sunday, December 5, 1 p.m. ET
Week 14: Rams at Cardinals, Monday, December 13, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Week 15: Cardinals at Lions, Sunday, December 19, 1 p.m. ET
Week 16: Colts at Cardinals, Saturday, December 25, 8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network
Week 17: Cardinals at Cowboys, Sunday, January 2, 1 p.m. ET
Week 18: Seahawks at Cardinals, Sunday, January 9, 4:25 p.m. ET
Arizona Cardinals Win Total Analysis
That being said, it’s going to be extremely tough to beat the number this time around. Sharp Football Stats has the Cardinals schedule strength locked in as the 24th toughest, and there isn’t a single easy out in divisional play. The Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers all have win total odds of 10 games or higher. They also rank out as upper echelon favorites to capture the NFC title. On top of all that, the Cardinals get the NFC North, AFC South and standalone games against the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and Dallas Cowboys; three teams that can give any opponent their run for the money on any given Sunday. For Arizona to exceed expectations, it’s going to need to take the beginning of its schedule head on and take care of business. If not, it’s going to have a heck of a time surpassing its impost let alone compete for division bragging rights.
Can Kingsbury finally get the best of Sean McVay? He’s 0-4 SU and 0-3-1 ATS in the four all-time meetings between the head coaches. Can Arizona manage splits against San Francisco and Seattle like it did last season? Can it sweep an NFC West rival? If able to go 3-3 versus divisional opponents, the Cardinals will have an opportunity to exceed their win total and make a run at a playoff bid as a wild card. It might even be able to do more than that should everything come together defensively! I’m expecting another big season from the Murray/DeAndre Hopkins connection. With Rodney Hudson brought in to shore up the offensive line, Pro Football Focus has the unit ranked No. 11 heading into the regular season. The schedule is tough. The division is tough. Are the Cardinals tough? I’m betting they will be with the moves to bring in the veterans proving to be the ultimate difference maker that gets this team over the hump.
Arizona Cardinals Season Win Total Prediction: Over 8.5
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
