Cardinals vs. Raiders Point Spread: NFL Week 2 Odds, Prediction
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Jeremy Perry
Last season, the Arizona Cardinals didn’t suffer their first loss until Week 8 of the regular season. In 2022, they lost in Week 1 when the Kansas City Chiefs handled them by a final score of 44-21. The Cards’ defence allowed five touchdowns to Patrick Mahomes as the Chiefs offence walked up and down the field with ease.
On the other hand, the Las Vegas Raiders started their season off with a loss themselves. They were tossed aside 24-19 by the Los Angeles Chargers.
These two teams certainly need to build some momentum back following a tough season opener. Which side is the better bet to get back on track? The Raiders are 5.5-point favourites to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 51.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Arizona is 6-2 ATS in the last eight games when posted as the underdog. They are also 6-1 SU and ATS in their last seven as a road dog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. They’ve traveled well as they are 12-6 SU and ATS in their last 18 away games.
Meanwhile, the Raiders are 20-45-1 in their last 66 games when coming into a game as the listed favourite. More recently, they are 7-5 SU in their last 12 as a favourite but just 3-9 ATS. They are also 1-6 ATS in their last seven when going head-to-head with a team that has a losing record on the season.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals offence really struggled in Week 1 as they had to survive without star wideout DeAndre Hopkins out there on the field. Hopkins is suspended for the first six games of the year and if Week 1 was any indication, Arizona could struggle to move the ball. Kyler Murray was labouring to find open wideouts throughout the night, targeting Marquise Brown and Greg Dortch 15 times. Murray finished 22-for-34 with 193 passing yards and two touchdowns. However, the offence lacked balance.
Arizona does have a strong running back in James Connor but he had just 26 yards on 10 carries last week. Both him and Murray will need to at least provide the semblance of a threat on the ground for the Cards to pick up a win here.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders clearly benefitted from the addition of Davante Adams on offence. Adams picked up 141 receiving yards and a touchdown in his first game alongside former college teammate Derek Carr. The connection between these two guys will certainly play a factor against the struggling Cardinals in Week 2. Carr has to play better, though, as he had three picks in Week 1. He has to do a better job of spreading the ball around as by the end of the game, Adams was double-teamed and nobody else stepped up.
As for their defence, the Raiders have to get pressure on the quarterback. They had no sacks in Week 1. The Chiefs had three against the Cardinals in their contest last week. This battle of containing and pressuring Murray is likely to be the key to whether the Raiders win or lose in this spot. They can’t give Murray time like they did Justin Herbert, who picked them apart to the tune of 279 yards, three touchdowns and just eight incompletions.
ARI
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