Arizona Sports Betting NFL Preview: Cardinals Prospects For 2022-23
The Arizona Cardinals head into the 2022 NFL season with mixed predictions for how their campaign might go, at least according to the current odds available. The Cardinals outperformed expectations last year when they went 11-6, and now expectations for the 2022 season are somewhat similar. Let’s examine the Cardinals’ current record prediction, their projected win totals, any intriguing prop bets involving the franchise, and their odds to win the division, conference, and Super Bowl in 2023.
All odds are from Caesars sportsbook unless otherwise stated and are subject to change daily. More odds are available at a selection of the top Arizona online sportsbooks.
Arizona Cardinals Record Prediction 2022
Following the release of the NFL schedule, Caesars has provided odds and spreads for all of the Cardinals’ 2022 regular-season matchups. Based on those numbers, the Cardinals are projected as favorites in eight games and underdogs in nine. If the season matches those predictions, the Cardinals would finish with an 8-9 record following Week 18 of the 2022 season.
However, we know the NFL is never that simple — if it was, it would be boring. A prime example is that in Week 1 last season, the Cardinals were 3-point underdogs heading to face the Tennessee Titans. The Cardinals won 38-13. Then, as 3.5-point favorites in Week 2, the Cardinals lost 34-33 to the Minnesota Vikings.
So while the current odds have the Cardinals underachieving compared to last year, there is certainly still reason for optimism. Of the Cardinals’ 17 games, 13 currently have a spread that is 3 points or less on either side. That demonstrates just how hard it is to make predictions about the Cardinals in 2022.
There is no doubting it is a tough start to the season for Arizona. They open with the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Rams. They then finish with a run of five games that include the Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers.
Cardinals Odds, Picks, and Props
Now that we know the sportsbooks prediction for the Cardinals on a week-by-week basis, let’s take a look at their season-long odds for win totals, the division, the conference, and the Super Bowl.
Cardinals win total: 9 (Over +110, Under -130)
NFC West winner: +300
NFC winner: +1500
Super Bowl winner: +3500
Based on what we have seen in terms of the Cardinals’ record prediction, none of those odds look particularly enticing. The sportsbooks are clearly down on the Cardinals, hence the -130 juice on the under. Additionally, despite having a win total that is 0.5 games higher than last year, their Super Bowl odds are the same as they were entering the season in 2021.
With the current record prediction for the Cardinals having them fall just one game short of their projected win total of nine, betting the under at those odds is risky business. There is the option to bring the Cardinals’ win total down to eight, but that comes with odds of -190.
Furthermore, the NFC West has three very good teams in it right now. Therefore, win total and division bets feel like ones to avoid. Taking +3500 as a long shot to win the Super Bowl is a fun bet, given the Cardinals will likely be in the playoffs. However, betting on a team coached by a career 24-24-1 record and an 0-1 record in the postseason to win the conference or the Super Bowl does not make for a smart money proposition.
Cardinals MVP Odds and Player Props
Unsurprisingly, the top option on the Cardinals’ roster to win the MVP is Kyler Murray at +2200. The uncertainty over his future and the way injuries have hampered him in the past two years makes this a tough bet. Murray is certainly talented, and the dual-threat nature of his game always makes him an outside bet to have an opportunity. At odds of +2200, he is among an intriguing group of players with similar upside, including the 2019 MVP winner Lamar Jackson.
Here are the best odds when it comes to Cardinals player props for 2022:
Comeback Player of the Year
DeAndre Hopkins +2200
Defensive Player of the Year
J.J. Watt +6500
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Trey McBride +4000
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Cameron Thomas +6000
Coach of the Year
Kliff Kingsbury +3000
Looking at those odds and the Cardinals’ prediction for the season, there does not appear to be a lot of value. Hopkins coming back from his suspension and having a strong second half is certainly an option. Yet, other contenders for the Comeback Player of the Year Award will potentially have a full season to leave their mark. That could make it tough for Hopkins, who we also saw struggle with his fitness last year.
At the midway point of last season, Kingsbury was in contention for the Coach of the Year Award. His challenge ultimately fell away as the Cardinals’ campaign subsided somewhat. However, Kingsbury having the same odds as Matt Rhule and being below Brian Daboll does not seem quite right. Both the Panthers and Giants are expected to struggle in 2022, while the Cardinals do have an outside shot of winning the division and heading to the playoffs.
Cardinals 2022 Picks
At this point in the offseason, there are no Cardinals’ odds that stand out based on current predictions. There is so much variability in this roster that it provides uncertainty. Murray to win MVP or Kingsbury as an outside Coach of the Year candidate are perhaps the most appealing. However, neither would present much more than a low-stake bet at this point.