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The Arizona Cardinals visit the Washington Commanders Sunday as both teams open their 2023 NFL seasons. Kickoff from FedExField is 1 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Commanders odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
Both teams finished in last place in their respective divisions and have the longest odds to win their division this year.
The Cardinals have a new head coach (Jonathan Gannon) and general manager (Monti Ossenfort) after finishing 4-13 in 2022. QB Kyler Murray begins the season on PUP as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in December so newly-acquired QB Joshua Dobbs will start in Arizona’s season opener. The Cardinals went 2-1 in the preseason.
The Commanders added offensive coordinator/assistant head coach Eric Bienemy, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs, to head coach Ron Rivera’s staff. Washington has new ownership and a new starting quarterback as 2nd-year QB Sam Howell gets the nod. Washington finished 8-8-1 last season.
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Cardinals at Commanders odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 11:57 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Commanders -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals +7 (-110) | Commanders -7 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 38 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Cardinals at Commanders key injuries
Cardinals
- OL Kelvin Beachum (hand) out
- WR Marquise Brown (hamstring) questionable
- TE Zach Ertz (knee) questionable
Commanders
- DE James Smith-Williams (oblique) questionable
- DE Chase Young (neck) questionable
Cardinals at Commanders picks and predictions
Prediction
Commanders 16, Cardinals 10
Moneyline
The Cardinals won 30-15 when these teams last met on Sept. 20, 2020, although things looked a lot different then.
Dobbs is winless in 2 NFL starts, both last season as a member of the Tennessee Titans. Howell is 1-0 in his one start late last season against the Dallas Cowboys’ backups.
The Commanders are playing in front of a sold-out home crowd for the first time in years and the Cardinals have the lowest projected win total in the NFL.
The Cardinals did not score more than 18 points in any preseason game.
PASS.
Against the spread
The Commanders were 8-8-1 ATS last season; the Cardinals were 8-9 ATS.
Arizona’s starting defense did not allow a point in limited preseason action and the Commanders are projected to have the league’s worst scoring offense by ESPN.
Arizona’s offense will struggle against Washington’s tough defensive front but the Commanders will also struggle to score points.
I’m expecting a low-scoring close game.
BET CARDINALS +7 (-110).
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Over/Under
This game already has the lowest projected total of the week.
It will be a sludge match of punts if what the Cardinals’ starters do in the regular season is anything like they did on defense in the preseason.
The Cardinals with Dobbs at quarterbacks simply don’t have the playmaking and Howell has not shown enough to prove he can put up lots of points.
BET UNDER 38 (-110).
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