This Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals meet the Washington Commanders in a season opener for the 10th time. This rivalry dates all the way back to 1932, when the Chicago Cardinals took on the Boston Braves. The Cardinals have not played at FedExField since 2017; the teams’ last meeting took place out in the desert in front of an empty stadium, due to COVID-19 protocols at that time. Kyler Murray ran for two scores and threw for another, picking up 286 yards through the air in a 30-15 win for the Cardinals. This time around, Murray is injured, and the coaching staff was so unenthusiastic about his backups, Colt McCoy and Clayton Tune, that the team traded for Josh Dobbs to get the start. The Commanders will start Sam Howell, who didn’t get much action until Week 18 last year because head coach Ron Rivera admittedly didn’t know how well Howell could play. So we have two teams that are looking to find their way meeting on Sunday; if you are planning to include this game in your NFL betting, check out our NFL Cardinals vs Commanders prediction first.
Week 1: NFL Cardinals vs Commanders Betting Odds | Bet NFL Football Lines by Xbet Sportsbook
When: Sunday, September 10, 2023, 1:00 pm ET
Where: FedExField, Landover, MD
TV: FOX
Radio: KMVP 98.7 FM Phoenix / WBIG 100.3 FM Washington
Live Stream: FuboTV
NFL Odds: Washington -7 / O/U 38 // Washington -335 / Arizona +260
Why should you bet on the Cardinals?
You never know – Josh Dobbs could put together an efficient game and hit a few balls down the field. Dobbs is also quick, so he could scramble and unsettle the Washington defense, keeping them from dropping back eight or nine into coverage. The hook might be quick, though, even though the stated backup, Clayton Tune, is a rookie and didn’t face defenses like Washington’s when he was playing for the University of Houston. James Conner can help Dobbs out a lot if he can pound the ball on the ground.
The Cardinals’ defense has a lot of youth, which means a lot of energy – but also a lot of mistakes, particularly early in the season. The veterans who remain to lead them do not have a lot of credibility in terms of long-term success, but they do know the system and can help the youngsters figure things out. If this defense can get to Sam Howell and force some bad decisions, this could end up going Arizona’s way.
Bet on the Cardinals to Win Today
Why should you put your money on the Commanders?
Sam Howell has a lot more potential than experience, but he looked confident in the Commanders’ Week 18 win over Dallas. The Cowboys didn’t have a lot to play for, as they had clinched a wild-card berth in the playoffs but could not improve their seeding with a win. Howell has Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson running routes, but the O-line will need to give him time in the pocket.
On defense, Washington has a ferocious pass rush, especially now that Chase Young is back and healthy. The Cardinals have three new starters on their offensive line, so if they don’t have communication and chemistry established, we’ll know pretty quickly. The Cardinals have Marco wilson and rookie Kei’Trel Clark at cornerback, a pair that Washington might be able to exploit as the game goes on.
Bet on the Commanders to Win Today
Final Score and Prediction
It’s hard to expect much out of the Arizona Cardinals’ offense as the team basically just met its starting quarterback a few days ago. With the retirement of J.J. Watt, the Cardinals’ defense also lacks any sort of star power, which means that they’re relying on a new system with largely young personnel. This is the sort of game that Washington should take charge of early and roll to a convincing victory, except that we have such a small sample size of Sam Howell’s ability. I like Washington to roll here, thanks to their pass rush, and I predict a final score of Washington 20, Arizona 9.
NFL Cardinals vs Commanders | Odds to Win Conference Championship
AFC Championship
| AFC Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +390 |
| Buffalo Bills | +460 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +520 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +970 |
| New York Jets | +1025 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +1100 |
| Miami Dolphins | +1150 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +1275 |
| Cleveland Browns | +1825 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +2400 |
| Denver Broncos | +2700 |
| New England Patriots | +3900 |
| Tennessee Titans | +4000 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +5400 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +7000 |
| Houston Texans | +9500 |
| AFC Lines to Win | |
NFC Championship
| NFC Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Eagles | +310 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +370 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +620 |
| Detroit Lions | +750 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +1350 |
| New Orleans Saints | +1525 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +1725 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +2300 |
| New York Giants | +2400 |
| Green Bay Packers | +2800 |
| Chicago Bears | +3000 |
| Washington Commanders | +3600 |
| Carolina Panthers | +3600 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +4100 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +5600 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +12000 |
| NFC Lines to Win | |
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