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Last season, the Cardinals improved on their 5-10-1 2019 record and went 8-8. They did start the season 6-3, but lost five of their last six. The end result was a step forward, but still a disappointment they missed the playoffs. In Kyler Murray’s third season the hope is for another step forward, with a shot at the playoffs. Of course, the NFC West did get much better this offseason with the 49ers getting healthy and the Rams bringing in Matthew Stafford.
We’ll take a look at the latest DraftKings Sportsbook lines and predict if the Cardinals can beat their 2021 win total. The odds below are as of May 24, 2021.
NFC West win totals
Los Angeles Rams 10.5 (Over +105, Under -129)
San Francisco 49ers 10.5 (Over +107, Under -130)
Seattle Seahawks 9.5 (Over -134, Under +110)
Arizona Cardinals 8 (Over -134, Under +110)
Notable offseason moves
The Cardinals added WR A.J. Green, RB James Conner, C Rodney Hudson, DE J.J. Watt, CB Malcolm Butler, and K Matt Prater in free agency and drafted LB Zaven Collins and WR Rondale Moore.
They lost RB Kenyan Drake, LB Haason Reddick, and CB Patrick Peterson in free agency.
Arizona Cardinals prediction: Over 8
With an extra game this season, the urge is to go with the over when confronted with a win total number you don’t feel great about either way. But, in the grand scheme of things, that one game isn’t going to move the total as much as we think. But, there is no doubt the Cardinals are a team on the rise and Murray has shown that he can be an offensive weapon.
If the Cardinals were in just about any other division, the over would be easy, but there isn’t one easy out against these teams. The Jaguars, Texans, Panthers, Bears, and Lions are their weakest matchups, while they’ll hope that Aaron Rodgers doesn’t end up playing for the Packers in Week 8. Otherwise, each game is going to be against a team projected to win more games than they are. If they can get out of the NFC West with a 3-3 record, I believe they get to eight wins with a good shot at hitting the over. Are they that team now? As long as Murray can stay healthy, I believe they are.
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