NFL picks: The Arizona Cardinals emerged as a surprise betting value and contender last year in Bruce Aryan’s first year as head coach and are maintaining their board value so far this preseason sparked by one of the more effective offenses so far in NFL exhibition play. The Cincinnati Bengals are winless so far in preseason both on the field and at the betting window and are near the bottom of the exhibition rankings for points allowed although defense is not expected to be a long term problem for them. The Arizona Cardinals will host the Cincinnati Bengals at the University of Phoenix Stadium with coverage on NBC Sunday Night starting at 8 PM ET. BetDSI opened with the Cardinals as a two-point favorite and with a total of 43.
Bungles So Far
Cincinnati is 0-2 straight up and 0-1-1 against the spread with both of their games going over the total. The Bengals rank 12th in the NFL for total offense and 7th for points scored. Cincy ranks 18th in exhibition action for total defense and 30th for points allowed. The Bengals are coming off a 25-17 home loss to the New York Jets as 3-point favorites with the game going over the total of 41. Andy Dalton just signed a big fat new contract and seems beyond ready for a big season as he has a 144.4 QB rating so far in preseason and RB Matt Scott is averaging over nine yards per carry and AJ Green is averaging 26.2 yards per catch on five receptions.
Soaring Cardinals Offense
The Arizona Cardinals are 1-1 straight up and 2-0 against the spread with an even 1-1 split on preseason totals. Arizona is ranked 6th for overall offense and 2nd for scoring offense while ranking 15th for total defense but a more impressive 5th for scoring defense. Arizona is coming off a 28-30 loss at Minnesota but got the money as 4.5 point dogs with the game soaring over the total. The QB trio of Drew Stanton, Carson Palmer, and Logan Thomas all have a QB rating of at least 124.0 for a phenomenal betting asset.
Our Pick
The deep quality of play of the Arizona QBs and their defensive play makes the Cardinals our call in this one.
