Arizona Cardinals Odds

Last year's season didn't go quite the way the Arizona Cardinals had planned. What are the red birds doing this year to improve their chances for a post season berth, and do we think they have any shot at a title?

The Cards get to play their divisional rival the Seahawks in one of the late afternoon games in Week 1. Even with their quarterback controversy brewing, the Cards are an even pick em with the Seahawks. Part of the reason could be because the Cardinals are the home team, however, Seattle’s defense and new offense under what will most likely be Matt Flynn will give the Cards troubles. NFL odds makers have set the total to this one at a low 41 points.

At this point in the season, or pre season, I can’t recommend playing Arizona. Seattle is probably the second best team in that division, and I could see them getting a wildcard slot this season. I like the Seahawks on the moneyline.

My Pick: Seahawks ML

The big question around the Cardinals this upcoming training camp and season is John Skelton or Kevin Kolb? I’ll dive into that brewing quarterback controversy below.

The Cards gave up several assets and a lot of guaranteed money to get Kolb from the Eagles, and after he got hurt, Skelton came in and performed rather well. In my eyes, the Cards will do everything possible to give Kolb the upper hand for the job, considering he and the Cards’ front office need to justify giving up so much to get him and keep him. However, there will come a point in the season where if Kolb isn’t performing, money will not be the issue.

Skelton didn’t amaze anyone last season, but he did play well in spurts, and he greatly improved Larry Fitzgerald’s value (for all you fantasy players). Skelton locked onto and almost force fed Fitzgerald, where Kolb liked to spread the ball around more. It appears to be a dead heat at this point, but you can’t tell a lot from OTA’s. Training camp is right around the corner, and I think we are going to need a majority of the preseason to see who will start in the desert.

The Cardinals had a disappointing season last year, as nothing seemed to come together like they had planned it. They traded for and gave a huge contract to Kevin Kolb, which ended in controversy, as Kolb stunk, and back up John Skelton played better.

The Cardinals remain committed to Kolb, as they kind of had to, so this will be a big season for Kolb and the Cardinals. That division is weak and ruled by the 49ers, and the Cardinals are probably not even the second best team in the division. Let’s take a look at some of the NFL odds, offseason news, drafted players and other things effecting Arizona going into this new season.

Free agent news

The Cardinals had a lot of free agents this offseason, and they have done a pretty good job of resigning most of them so far. Out of 23 free agents, the Cardinals have signed 11 of them, and have only lost three so far. The rest are still unsigned.

Arizona retained two of their important offense threats in LaRod Stephens-Howling and Early Doucet. They have also just recently re-signed Clark Haggans, who was a very good linebacker for this team last season.

8-8 might not have seemed that bad last season, but Seattle will be much better this season, and the Cardinals might just regress a little. They have done little to improve on their below average defense from last season, and among all the 32 teams in the NFL, there will be no bigger quarterback controversy heading into the preseason.

Draft results

The Cards had seven picks in the draft, and they went offense on a lot of it. Their top pick was 13^th overall, where they got Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd. Floyd has great size and athleticism, and he has great ball skills. Last season with the Irish, Floyd had 100 receptions, over 1100 yards and nine touchdowns.

With the exception of taking a corner and a safety with the 80^th and 177^th picks, the Cardinals went all offense in the draft. They got three offensive linemen, and even grabbed a quarterback in the 6^th round.

Season schedule

Arizona has to go head to head with the NFC North and the AFC East this season, two conferences that will be very tough. The Cardinals also have a pretty tough start to their season, which includes home games against the Eagles and Seahawks, and a trip to Boston to face the Patriots in the middle during weeks 1, 2 and 3.

The end of their season is pretty tough as well, as three of their final five games are on the road, including closing out their season against the Bears and Lions at home, and then on the road against the 49ers in week 17.

It’s up for debate as to whether the Cardinals are ready to compete or ready to rebuild…again. NFL Odds Makers have the Cards at +5500 to win the Super Bowl. It sounds like Vegas thinks they are rebuilding again and will regress from their 8-8 season. There are only ten teams with worse odds to win it all.