The Cardinals could really use a victory in Carolina on Sunday. They are a slight road underdog and have yet to be favored in a game this season.
The scoring total is lower than in their previous matchups, which may entice bettors. Keep an eye on any weather conditions.
Here are my three favorite prop bets for the game:
Kyler Murray over 21.5 rushing yards (-113)
There has been a lot of chatter this week about Kyler Murray’s lack of carries early in the season. It’s been brought up in past years and hasn’t necessarily resulted in a big shift, but the offense is in such a rut that it feels like a pseudo-necessity against the Panthers.
There could also be remnants of Hurricane Ian in the region, which could make throwing the ball harder. Murray will likely stay within the offense, per usual, but subconsciously he may choose to run more to kickstart a lackluster offense.
Murray surpassed this number in each of the first two games of the season and I think he will do so again in Carolina.
James Conner under 78.5 rushing and receiving yards (-115)
It’s been a really slow start to the season for Conner, who is averaging 3.0 yards per carry and 4.9 yards per target through three games. It would take a major about-face for him to threaten this rushing and receiving total, and it’s a figure he has not come close to approaching in 2022.
Conner’s efficiency will improve as the season goes along because it is so poor right now, but his start could have the Arizona coaching staff wondering if he deserves such a heavy workload.
Eno Benjamin and Darrel Williams have both had some strong moments this season, and divvying up the touches more is a possibility in this game. Conner is also dealing with a sprained ankle that he suffered in Week 2, and while he played last week, any nagging ailment could affect his burst.
Conner has not impressed to this point and I like the under on this prop.
Baker Mayfield over 204.5 passing yards (-115)
Mayfield has been nothing short of awful this season, as his Total QBR of 18.8 is last in the NFL. He has completed just 51.9% of his passes and has a sack rate of 10%.
So why take the over? Well, the Cardinals’ pass defense has struggled just as badly, allowing a passer rating of 117.9 to the trio of Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr and Matthew Stafford. Mayfield is not in their league, but this yardage total is also much lower.
He also tends to take chances, which means plenty of turnovers and incompletions, but also some big-time chunks. The oddsmakers have the Panthers as the favorites, and if they run out to a lead, coach Matt Rhule will likely go conservative, but I like Arizona’s chances in this one.
I think Mayfield will need to throw throughout the contest, which will help him reach 205 yards or more.
This week’s prop bets record 1-2
Overall: 17-14
