The Arizona Cardinals went 11-6 last season and made the playoffs, but the bookmakers are expecting regression in 2022.
Their regular season win total has been placed under double digits across the board.
Which way would I go? Well, let’s take a trip through the schedule to get a season win-loss record.
Week 1: Cardinals vs. Chiefs
Arizona opened as a three-point underdog in this game but the line has moved to Kansas City -4.5 within the past week. The Cardinals have potential injury and health issues for several key players, while outside linebacker Markus Golden might be in the midst of a hold-in. Both teams should be able to score, and I’ll take Patrick Mahomes to outduel Kyler Murray in an entertaining opener.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Cardinals 27
Record: 0-1
Week 2: Cardinals at Raiders
These two teams have similar Super Bowl odds and, in my eyes, similar upside. This feels like a toss-up, but Las Vegas is at home and will have the services of Davante Adams, while Arizona will be without the suspended DeAndre Hopkins. That, plus the big edge Las Vegas has rushing the passer with the Maxx Crosby-Chandler Jones duo, is why I like the Raiders in a close one.
Prediction: Raiders 27, Cardinals 24
Record: 0-2
Week 3: Cardinals vs. Rams
The defending Super Bowl champions come to town after embarrassing Arizona in the wild card round a season ago. The Rams will likely be slight favorites, but I could see an upset happening in this one. The Cardinals should have a stronger interior offensive line than a year ago with Cody Ford now in the mix, which will help slow down Aaron Donald. Los Angeles received career years from several players in 2021, but I feel like regression could be coming this year, and it will show up in this game as Murray outplays Matthew Stafford.
Prediction: Cardinals 24, Rams 23
Record: 1-2
Week 4: Cardinals at Panthers
Murray has gotten the better of Baker Mayfield in their NFL matchups, and the quarterback edge in this game is substantial. But Carolina is at home and has some good players on both sides of the ball. Luckily for Arizona, it matches up pretty well with the Panthers’ offense, and I think the Cards squeak this one out on the road.
Prediction: Cardinals 21, Panthers 19
Record: 2-2
Week 5: Cardinals vs. Eagles
Arizona once again has the better quarterback, but the Philadelphia roster is superior everywhere else. Jalen Hurts may not be an elite signal-caller, but a great offensive line and the playmaking duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith should help him look great in 2022. Philadelphia also has very talented defensive tackles and Haason Reddick coming off the edge, which is going to be a major issue for the Cardinals.
Prediction: Eagles 30, Cardinals 20
Record: 2-3
Week 6: Cardinals at Seahawks
The Cardinals have two wins by three combined points in this exercise, and finally they grab a much-needed blowout. Seattle has talent at wide receiver but not much else this season. Arizona should be able to move the ball easily and stop Geno Smith on defense.
Prediction: Cardinals 27, Seahawks 17
Record: 3-3
Week 7: Cardinals vs. Saints
Arizona welcomes back DeAndre Hopkins, but the dividends may not be immediate. The Saints have one of the best defenses in the NFL and this one could be a slog to put up points. This game could come down to one or two crucial plays, and I think Arizona will come away with a hard-fought win at home.
Prediction: Cardinals 17, Saints 16
Record: 4-3
Week 8: Cardinals at Vikings
The Cardinals won a track meet when these two teams played a season ago. I don’t see how the Arizona defense can adequately slow down Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson in this one. Add in the home field advantage for Minnesota this time, and it seems unlikely the Cardinals can steal it.
Prediction: Vikings 33, Cardinals 26
Record: 4-4
Week 9: Cardinals vs. Seahawks
Another reprieve against Seattle. The Cardinals grab a victory without much drama.
Prediction: Cardinals 35, Seahawks 20
Record: 5-4
Week 10: Cardinals at Rams
The fuzzy feelings from the upset win in Week 3 won’t last long. The Rams take care of business at home in this one, leaning on a familiar theme: a dominant game from Aaron Donald on the interior and some big plays from Allen Robinson against Arizona’s suspect cornerbacks.
Prediction: Rams 28, Cardinals 17
Record: 5-5
Week 11: Cardinals vs. 49ers (Mexico City)
The Cardinals would probably rather play San Francisco early on, while Trey Lance is still getting his feet wet as the starter. By this point in the season, either he will be comfortable or benched for Jimmy Garoppolo. Either way, the 49ers will lean on their elite offensive trio of Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk along with a strong defense to win a close one.
Prediction: 49ers 27, Cardinals 23
Record: 5-6
Week 12: Cardinals vs. Chargers
The Chargers have stacked the roster around Justin Herbert and added some major impact pieces on defense. Los Angeles went all-in this offseason and should reap the benefits with a fantastic 2022. The Cardinals won’t have much of a chance.
Prediction: Chargers 38, Cardinals 28
Record: 5-7
Week 14: Cardinals vs. Patriots
New England used special teams and superior coaching to steal a victory when these two teams played in New England a couple years back. It will try to use the same formula, but home field advantage should help Arizona quite a bit, and the quarterback advantage is a decided one.
Prediction: Cardinals 31, Patriots 21
Record: 6-7
Week 15: Cardinals at Broncos
Arizona grabbed two easy wins at the beginning of the schedule because Russell Wilson was traded from the Seahawks. Unfortunately, the Broncos will take one back now that they have Russ at quarterback. I’m not sure this one will be too competitive.
Prediction: Broncos 34, Cardinals 26
Record: 6-8
Week 16: Cardinals vs. Buccaneers
The schedule ceases to ease up. Tampa Bay comes to town on Christmas, and Tom Brady will remind everyone of his dominance on national television. We will see some Murray magic in this one to keep Arizona close, but the defensive issues will persist in a crushing loss.
Prediction: Buccaneers 35, Cardinals 31
Record: 6-9
Week 17: Cardinals at Falcons
If the Cardinals only have six wins at this point, a win over Atlanta won’t mean much. However, if they are able to outplay my projection, it could mean a ton in the race for the postseason. It should be an easy win on the road, as Arizona is vastly superior.
Prediction: Cardinals 34, Falcons 20
Record: 7-9
Week 18: Cardinals at 49ers
This could end up being a huge game for both teams if the playoffs are on the line. Arizona has handled San Francisco with regularity in recent years but I believe the tables will turn in 2022. I like the 49ers to win the division, and a sweep of the Cardinals would help them accomplish that.
Prediction: 49ers 23, Cardinals 20
Final record: 7-10
My Arizona Cardinals win total bet: Under 8.5 wins (-110)
