Sports Betting Preview: Arizona Cardinals Win Total at 4.5 O/U for 2023 Season
Last Updated: August 7, 2023, 09:13h
The Arizona Cardinals have been given a win total of 4.5 over/under victories for the upcoming 2023 season according to oddsmakers on DraftKings’ NFL futures board. This is the lowest projection on the board.
The Cardinals had a challenging 2022 season, finishing last in the NFC West. Starting quarterback Kyler Murray suffered a serious knee injury in December, and his availability for the upcoming season is uncertain.
Last season, the Cardinals went 4-13 and had the third-worst record in the NFL. They won only one game at home but managed to secure three victories on the road.
With a win total of 4.5 over/under, the Cardinals face stiff competition from seven teams projected to have at least 6.5 victories. These teams include the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Bucs, and Washington Commanders.
Compared to other teams, the Cardinals have one of the lowest win totals, with at least 15 teams projected to have over 9.5 victories.
Changes in Leadership
The Cardinals made significant changes in their coaching staff and front office. Kliff Kingsbury was fired as head coach after posting a 28-37-1 record over four seasons. Jonathan Gannon was hired as the new head coach after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cardinals also brought in Monti Ossenfort as the new general manager.
Ossenfort made bold moves during the 2023 NFL Draft, including a trade down in the first round. The Cardinals selected offensive tackle Paris Johnson with the sixth pick to strengthen their offensive line. However, Ossenfort faced criticism for not trading DeAndre Hopkins, a future Hall of Fame wide receiver who was subsequently cut by the team.
Return of Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray, the Cardinals’ starting quarterback, tore his ACL in his right knee last December. While there is no specific timetable for his return, Murray is determined to rejoin the team as soon as possible. The Cardinals, however, are cautious and prioritize his long-term health over rushing his comeback.
Colt McCoy is expected to start as the Cardinals’ quarterback in Murray’s absence. McCoy had a 1-2 record as a starter last season, completing 68.2% of his passes for 780 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. The team also has veteran quarterbacks Jeff Driskel and David Blough in training camp, as well as rookie Clayton Tune from Houston.
Cardinals’ Betting Odds and Alternative Win Totals
The Cardinals had a poor 2022 season but performed relatively well against the point spread (ATS) with an 8-9 record. They finished with an 8-7-2 record in hitting the over for totals bettors.
The San Francisco 49ers are favored to win the NFC West, followed by the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and the Cardinals. The Cardinals are considered long shots to win Super Bowl LVIII and the NFC Championship.
DraftKings offers prop bets for the Cardinals, including odds of missing or making the playoffs. Currently, the Cardinals are favored to miss the playoffs and have long odds to secure a postseason spot.
If you want to bet on the Cardinals’ win total of 4.5 over/under, an under wager is favored while the over wager offers even odds.
For alternative win totals, the Cardinals have adjusted win totals of 5.5 and 6.5 over/under. The odds favor the under for both scenarios.