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David Bastl
Arizona Cardinals NFL Predictions: 2019 Season Preview and Odds
The Cardinals finished the 2018 season with a 3-13 record (straight up), and a 7-8-1 mark against the spread, covering 46.7 percent of their games. They were also 7-9 to the over during the regular season.
Everything is new in Arizona. New Head Coach, new Quarterback, new hope. The Cardinals were the worst team in the NFL last season. They also had the worst season in franchise history, and that’s saying something, considering the team has only qualified for the post season eight times in its existence.
Let’s start off with the coach Kliff Kingsbury who left USC (Offensive Coordinator) for this NFL opportunity. Prior to that, he was 35-40 in seven seasons at Texas Tech, not exactly off the chart numbers, but the Cardinals are hoping he is the next Sean McVay.
Arizona Cardinals Acquisitions and Moves
The Cardinals number one pick up this off season was the number one overall draft pick, Quarterback Kyler Murray. Murray was the Heisman Trophy winner and the Cards hope the next trophy he gets is the top offensive player of the year award. Murray is currently listed at Sports Interaction as the favourite to do so paying +170.
The team was busy via free agency bringing in a number of players including 37 year-old Linebacker Terrell Suggs. Suggs will be entering his 17th NFL season and may not produce at the same speed as in past years, but will provide leadership and a culture change in the Cardinals dressing room. Other additions include Cornerback Robert Alford, Linebacker Jordan Hicks, back-up Quarterback Brett Hundley, and Receiver Kevin White. White was an interesting signing as he was a former first round pick of the Chicago Bears but was very injury-prone and did not produce when called upon.
Deletions to this roster include Linebackers Deone Bucannon and Markus Golden, Offensive lineman Mike Iupati, Safety Antonie Bethea and Quarterbacks Josh Rosen and Mike Glennon.
Arizona Cardinals 2019 NFL Schedule
The Cardinals are tied for 12th in strength of schedule. Opponents they face this year were a combined 129-125-2, for a winning percentage of .508 last season.
It’s all about Kyler Murray when it comes to marketing the Cardinals, and this upcoming schedule features a number of juicy match-ups. In weeks three and four, the Cardinals face two of Murray’s idols in Cam Newton of the Panthers and Russell Wilson of the Seahawks.
Circle week nine and eleven as they meet the 49ers, a team that the Cardinals swept last season. Also, the Rams in weeks thirteen and seventeen, a team that swept the Cards last year beating them a combined 65-9 in the two games.
Week 1: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 9 (4:25 p.m.)
Week 2: at Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 15 (1 p.m.)
Week 3: vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 22 (4:05 p.m.)
Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 29 (4:05 p.m.)
Week 5: at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, October 6 (1 p.m.)
Week 6: vs. Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 13 (4:05 p.m.)
Week 7: at New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 20 (1 p.m.)
Week 8: at New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 27 (1 p.m.)
Week 9: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 31 (8:20 p.m.)
Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 10 (1 p.m.)
Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 17 (4:05 p.m.)
Week 12: Bye
Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 1 (4:05 p.m.)
Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 8 (4:25 p.m.)
Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 15 (4:05 p.m.)
Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 22 (4:25 p.m.)
Week 17: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 29 (4:25 p.m.)
Arizona Cardinals NFL Betting Odds
Sports Interaction places the Cardinals win total at 5.5, with a slight lean on the under. They are expected to finish last in the division, paying +2500 to pull off the upset and win it. Speaking off upsets, the Cards come in at +4000 to win the conference, and an off the chart +8000 to win the Super Bowl.
Arizona Cardinals Prediction
The Cardinals were outscored by a total of 200 points over 16 games last season, so surely the only direction will be up for this franchise. But, it doesn’t help matters that there top Cornerback Patrick Peterson, will miss the first six games of the regular season because he violated the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy. Kyler Murray gives hope to the future, but the future isn’t next season. The Cardinals finish last in the division with a 5-11 record.