Today we are breaking down the total wins to expect from the Arizona Cardinals in the 2021 season.
The sportsbooks have the over/under at 7 games, meaning they are expected to finish with a 7-9 record over their 16 games.
With Kyler Murray coming back for his second year, there’s a lot to build on from his rookie season. He showed an incredible spark as a baller last year, flashing with his arm strength and legs to move the chains.
And for year two, the team has focused on building the defense by making their first six picks in the draft all on the defensive side of the ball. Isaiah Simmons, their 1st round pick, and 8th pick overall, is a beast at linebacker coming from Clemson.
These young players will have the ability to impact the upcoming season, and help propel the Cardinals from the bottom of the pack.
Let’s run through their 16 games to see where we can pin the Arizona Cardinals over/under based on our own selection for wins and losses.
Arizona Cardinals Over/Under
Week 1 – Cardinals at 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a Super Bowl run, coming up just short against Mahomes and the Cheifs. But after dominating the Cardinals in the regular season and the NFC West division, the odds are in their favor kicking off the upcoming season.
While I have the Cardinals making a good run this year, opening on the road against a stout 49er “D” has me giving the Cardinals a close loss in week 1.
Week 2 – Cardinals vs Redskins
Week two and the Cardinals get a soft home game against the Washington Redskins. The Redskins are a team still trying to figure it out. While they look set to run with Dewayne Haskins at QB, they don’t have all the supporting parts around him he needs. It’s going to be another struggle for the Redskins in the upcoming season.
We’ll take the Cardinals to even their record at 1-1 after week two.
Week 3 – Cardinals vs Detroit
Staying home, the Detroit Lions will be looking to show up against the young stars on the Arizona Cardinals.
But it’s not going to be enough.
The Cardinals, coming off a rather easy win against the Redskins, will have another soft win against a struggling Lions. That will put the Cardinals, a young and rising team, at 2-1 heading into week four.
Week 4 – Cardinals at Panthers
The Carolina Panthers brought in former New Orleans and Minnesota QB, Teddy Bridgewater to lead the team after letting go of Cam Newton. They will definitely be a bit of a wild card in 2021, but still trying to rebuild. That causes me to give this win to the Cardinals on the road, as they look to go 3-1 on the season.
Week 5 – Cardinals at the Jets
After a 3-1 start, the Cardinals stay on the road to face the New York Jets. While Sam Darnold showed some streaky ability, he has failed to show consistency. The Jets are a mediocre team, but I think it would be a close game. Still, I’m taking the Cardinals and Kyler Murray to jump to the next level this season, and stealing this win on the road – 4-1.
Week 6 – Cardinals at Cowboys
A Monday night matchup that will put the Cardinals to the test. The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a bad season, but with Zek and Dak back in the house, they will be a tough team to face next year. I have the Cowboys winning this one in a close game, putting the Cardinals back to 4-2 for the year.
Week 7 – Cardinals vs Seahawks
After facing the Cowboys on Monday, on the road, they come back to a big divisional matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks will look to build on their 11-5 record last season, and continue flowing with the same hero’s in charge. Still, when you look at their games last season, the Cardinals were a great matchup and won one of the two meetings. I have the Cardinals showing up at home to advance to 5-2 for the year.
Week 9 – Cardinals vs Dolphins
After a week of rest for the bye during week 8, the Cardinals welcome the Miami Dolphins to a matchup. Well rested, and a young Dolphins team trying to figure it out this season, I am taking the Cardinals. I’m expecting the Dolphins to improve each week this year, with a young QB they can finally build around. But for this game, the Cardinals will get the best of Miami. Up to 6-2 for the year.
Week 10 – Cardinals vs Bills
Another home game for the Cards, and they welcome the Buffalo Bills for week 10. The Bills are an up and comer as well. With a young Josh Allen at QB, Stefon Diggs added at WR, this team will have some big wins for sure. It’s a toss up as to who will win, but I’m leaning towards the Bills for this game. Setting back the Cardinals to a 6-3 record.
Week 11 – Cardinals at Seahawks
After a tough home loss to the Bills, the Cardinals will attempt to bounce back against a road game in Seattle. Both of these games, week 10 and week 11, could go either way, but I love the story line of Kyler Murray beating out the older Russel Wilson in a bit of a changing of the guard. It’s the Cardinals year, and they’ll pull off the win, improving to a 7-3 record.
Week 12 – Cardinals at Patriots
After topping Seattle for one of their biggest wins all year, they get to roll into New England against what will likely be a rebuilding Patriots team. With Tom Brady down in Tampa, well, what more do you need to know. I’m looking for the Cardinals to roll past the Patriots improving to 8-3 for the year.
Now, we are already over the over/under for the sportsbooks of 7. So clearly we are taking the over as we look for the Cardinals to have a bounce back year. There were a lot of close games last season, and I think they make it over the hump this year to make a solid playoff run.
Week 13 – Cardinals vs Rams
After topping the good ol’ Patriots, they face a division rival that fell off the wagon last year. There’s a good chance they bounce back strong, and Goff has one heck of a year. Still, I’m taking the Cardinals at home against the Rams for week 13 – 9-3.
Week 14 – Cardinals at Giants
After ditching Eli last year, the young Giants team will put up a fight at home against the Cardinals. Riding Sa “quad” Barkley throughout the year, they’ll have a winning record this season. I’m taking the Giants over the Cardinals for week 14, in a nail biter on the road, moving them to 9-4.
Week 15 – Cardinals vs Eagles
The Eagles, much like the Rams, fell off last year. After making a Super Bowl run with Foles in 2018, the Eagles haven’t found their rhythm. And I don’t see them finding it much this year. It is a tough to go on the road, against the 9-4 Cardinals and pull off a win. I see the Cardinals advancing to 10-4 for the season.
Week 16 – Cardinals vs 49ers
A rematch from week one pins the top two teams in the NFC West division for a late season meeting. It’s a big game, as it probably is the battle for first in the division, and possibly up there for a bye in the playoffs (depending on the actual wins and losses). But at this point, I think the 49ers are able to hold them off in a close game, sending the Cardinals to a 10-5 record through 15 games.
Week 17 – Cardinals at Rams
The Arizona Cardinals are facing another divisional opponent, to finish the season on the road. I have the Cardinals limping into the playoffs after falling to the Rams on the road for the final week of the 2021 season. 10-6 is still good enough for the playoffs, and a much needed improvement for the young team. They essentially would flip their 2020 record of 10-5-1.
With the sports books listing the Arizona Cardinals over/under at seven wins, you already know how I’m betting it – taking the over with confidence.
They have a pretty soft schedule, with their biggest games “in-division” opponents. Those are going to be tough fought games either way, and lends towards the 10-6 record we are looking for.
Let me know what you think about my analysis on Twitter. You can Tweet me at @theonlydsb.
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To profitable bets,
Ryan
CEO, Daily Sports Bets
