This Season Could Get Ugly for the Arizona Cardinals
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The Arizona Cardinals have new uniforms, but they won't have quarterback Kyler Murray to start the 2023 season.It might be an extra long year for the Arizona Cardinals. They have a rookie head coach, a franchise quarterback recovering from a torn ACL, and a roster with holes. That's not a recipe for success in the NFL.
This article originally appeared in the weekly Stadium Talk newsletter with Betting Predators, a sports betting media platform. You can subscribe to our newsletter and get it delivered straight to your inbox.
Quarterback Watch
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Kyler Murray tore his ACL on Dec. 12, 2022, against the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. The average length of rehab from a torn ACL is nine to 12 months.It's hard to win in today's NFL without a top-flight quarterback.
The Cardinals thought they had one when they drafted Kyler Murray with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft. The jury is still out on Murray, who is 25-31-1 in 57 pro starts and sidelined until his surgically repaired right knee is ready.
Until then, it’s the Colt McCoy show. The rest of the Cardinals quarterbacks are rookie Clayton Tune, David Blough, and Jeff Driskel.
Another New Era
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and Philadelphia Eagles.Former Philadephia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon replaces Kliff Kingsbury as Cardinals head coach.
After Philly's defense broke down and got cooked by the Kansas City Chiefs in last season's Super Bowl, some people were surprised Gannon got the job in Arizona. Eagles fans said good riddance.
Gannon is no Kliff Kingsbury, and Kingsbury is now an assistant coach at USC. How long before Cardinals fans want Kingsbury back? Or Bruce Arians.
Don't Call It Tanking
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Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is the face of the franchise while Kyler Murray is out of action.Nobody wants to believe a season is over before it starts. Although safety Budda Baker reworked his deal to stick around the desert, and Arizona has a few other bright spots (see: safety Jalen Thompson, a strong offensive line, skill players like Marquise Brown, Trey McBride, and James Conner), the odds are stacked against the Cardinals.
On the Clock for 2024
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Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and the team have avoided saying the franchise has entered rebuild mode, even if it sure does feel like it.First-year Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort has been in the NFL for 21 years (including 15 seasons with the New England Patriots). He knows what it takes to win Super Bowls.
Whatever happens in 2023, the Cardinals have a promising future with two first-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft, a second-round pick, two third-rounders, a fourth-rounder, two fifths and a seventh-round choice.
Play It Smart
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Kyler Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022, including a $29.035 million signing bonus, $159.8 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $46.1 million.The Cardinals have an 18 percent chance of getting the No. 1 overall pick in 2024. That's better than their odds of making the playoffs (+1100) this year.
The smartest play might be to sit Murray, even if he's healthy, and look ahead.
All odds are subject to change.
Arizona Betting Insights
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True character is revealed in the face of adversity. We're going to find out what the Cardinals are made of.Arizona had an 8-9-0 record against the spread in 2022.
Last season, nine Cardinals games went over the point total.
Arizona ranked 22nd in the NFL in total offense with 323.5 yards per game in 2022 and 21st in total defense with 348.9 yards allowed per contest.
The Cardinals scored 340 points (20.0 per game) last season (21st of 32) and allowed 449 points (26.4, 31st of 32).
The Cardinals went 1-8 at home and 3-5 on the road.
When underdogs, Arizona had three victories (3-11) versus a 1-2 record when favored.
The Cardinals were 3-9 in the NFC, including 1-5 in the NFC West.
The Cardinals have a 7-21-1 record as underdogs at home since 2016.
This article originally appeared in the weekly Stadium Talk newsletter with Betting Predators, a sports betting media platform. You can subscribe to our newsletter and get it delivered straight to your inbox.
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