Cardinals Win Total Skyrockets After Hot Start
By Reed Wallach
The Arizona Cardinals updated win total is tied for the second highest in the NFL, a testament to just how much they are outperforming their preseason expectations.
Arizona entered the season with a regular season win total of 8 (-135), but are off to a 4-0 and the only remaining undefeated team in the league, as our Ben Heisler noted on Sunday.
It's still very early, but do I get to pat myself on the back just a little for my AZ Cardinals preseason prediction at @BetSided?
— Ben Heisler (@bennyheis) October 4, 2021
Don't worry, we did them for all 32 teams so there's plenty I've gotten wrong too... ? pic.twitter.com/u6AMwVQbQF
After beating three straight teams that are .500 or worse, the Cards beat the favorite to win the NFC West, Los Angeles Rams on the road, announcing themselves as a contender in the NFC.
Behind the play of front runner for the 2021 NFL MVP Kyle Murray, +450 odds as of this writing, the Cardinals are behind only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the highest win total for the rest of the season at WynnBET Sportsbook.
Arizona Cardinals Updated Win Total: 11.5 (Over -120/Under +100)
Arizona Cardinals Updated Odds to Win NFC: +1000
Arizona Cardinals Updated Odds to Win Super Bowl: +1400
Arizona is not out of the woods just yet. The team has a tough matchup against playoff hopeful and division rival San Francisco 49ers this week, but the team is likely making a change at quarterback to rookie Trey Lance.
After that, the team plays in Cleveland and home for Green Bay in two of their next three games.
The Cardinals offense has been electric with Murray under center, but the defense is still suspect. The team is 30th in defensive rush success and 19th in defensive pass success rate, per SharpFootballStats.
With a defense that may be starting to bleed a bit too much, Murray may justify an MVP vote if the Cardinals continue to their play on offense -- top four in both rush and pass success rate.