We’re two weeks into the NFL season, and several season win over/under bets are whetting bettors’ appetite. The Arizona Cardinals, who currently have a 3.5 over/under line for their season win total, is one such wager drawing attention in the NFL world.
For most teams, netting four wins to go over the season win total would be a gimme bet. Yet the Arizona Cardinals under first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon appear to be a team that could legitimately struggle to eclipse the three-win mark this year.
Is the 3.5 over/under season win total for the Arizona Cardinals a good bet? Find out more and get our prediction with this in-depth analysis of the NFC West team.
Cardinals Win Total Courtesy of Desert Diamond Sports
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Arizona Cardinals Offense
Since Kyler Murray suffered a season-ending ACL tear late in 2022, the multi-talented QB has been sidelined. And Murray has already indicated he’ll sit out at least through the fifth game of the season, meaning the Cardinals are relying on career back-up QB Joshua Dobbs to run their offense.
Arizona returns RB James Conner (1,082 total yards, 8 TDs in 2022) to lighten the workload for Dobbs. The Cardinals also feature talented WRs in Rondale Moore and Marquise Brown as well as TE Zach Ertz, giving Dobbs reliable targets in the passing attack.
Yet in the season-opening loss to Washington, 10 of the Cardinals’ 16 points were set up or scored by an opportunistic defense. The remaining two field goals were on long drives and set up through big plays. Though early, Arizona seems plagued by an inability to find the red zone, which will continue to limit the Cardinals offensive output.
Arizona Cardinals Defense
Defensively, Arizona should be much-improved over their 31st-ranked scoring defense in 2022 that allowed 26.4 points per outing. The team also ranked in the bottom third of the league by allowing 120 rushing yards and 230 passing yards per contest last season.
The Cardinals’ biggest off-season move was to sign Kyzir White away from Philadelphia. Already, White’s presence has been felt as the LB notched a team-best nine tackles in the team’s first game. With opponents trying to neutralize White, other LBs – such as Victor Dimukeje and Dennis Gardeck – will have opportunities to make plays in 2023.
Arizona’s defensive backfield remains stout despite losing Byron Murphy, Jr. to free agency. Rookie CB Kei’Trel Clark immediately stepped into the lineup in his absence and has performed admirably thus far. Additionally, SS K’Von Wallace recorded a sack and seven tackles in his first outing, and FS Budda Baker forces opposing QBs to look elsewhere for receivers.
Arizona Cardinals Schedule
Arizona’s schedule for the 2023 season is among the toughest in the NFC, according to multiple news outlets. Nine games on the Cardinals’ schedule are against squads that reached the NFL playoffs, and two other contests feature teams with a .500 or better record in 2022.
After a brutal stretch playing five playoff teams in seven weeks to start the season, the Cardinals will find relief in November. Then, Arizona will play on the road against Cleveland before returning home to host Atlanta. Games on the road against the Texans and Steelers round out the easiest part of the 2023 schedule for Arizona.
Final Analysis: Bet Arizona Cardinals Under 3.5 Wins
While Arizona has the pieces to win more than three games, don’t expect the Cardinals to figure out this puzzle in 2023. With a first-time head coach and a huge question mark surrounding Kyler Murray’s availability, expect the Cardinals to find ways to lose close games and win no more than three this season.
