Arizona Cardinals 2012-2013 Season Odds

The Arizona Cardinals finished last season strong, winning five of their last six games, but it wasn't enough to make up for an abysmal start. The Cardinals ended up 8-8 and missed the playoffs. The late season run also started a quarterback controversy that still hasn't been settled heading into the season.

Odds to win NFC West: +500
Regular Season Win Total: 7 (+145)
Props: NFL Receiving leader odds Larry Fitzgerald 9/1

Kevin Kolb began last season as the Cardinals quarterback, but injuries limited him to nine games. When Kolb was out John Skelton started at QB and filled in quite admirably. In Kolb's nine starts the Cardinals were 3-6, compared to 5-2 in Skelton's seven starts. Head coach Ken Whizenhunt has a decision to make before Week 1, but obviously just because one of them starts the season as quarterback doesn't mean they're going to finish it.

Whoever is starting QB will need to help the Cardinals develop a No. 2 receiver. No. 1 is locked down by Larry Fitzgerald, one of the top wideouts in the league. After that someone from among Early Doucet, Andre Roberts and rookie Michael Floyd needs to step up.

At running back it looks like Beanie Wells will begin the season as starter, but that's in no way set in stone. Well rushed for 1047 yards on 245 carries last season but has had a hard time staying healthy in his short career. Ryan Williams, who the Cards drafted in the second round last season missed all of 2011 after injuring his knee in the preseason. If he returns strong he could make a play for some of Wells' carries.

The Cardinals defense was better than expected last season, but it still wasn't very good. Ranking 18th overall (355.1 yards per game, which included 21st (124.1 yards) against the run and 17th (231 yards) against the pass the Cardinals were a middle of the unit last season. They could definitely see some improvement against the pass with Patrick Peterson having a year under his belt and after bringing in former Steelers corner Williams Gay.

Odds to win NFC West at Bovada as of August 20
San Francisco 49ers -200
Arizona Cardinals +500
Seattle Seahawks +400
St. Louis Rams +800

2012 Arizona Cardinals Schedule (All times Eastern)

01 Sep 9 SEA @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:25pm FOX)
02 Sep 16 ARI @ NE (Gillette Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
03 Sep 23 PHI @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:05pm FOX)
04 Sep 30 MIA @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:05pm CBS)
05 Oct 3 ARI @ STL (Edward Jones Dome 8:20pm NFL)
06 Oct 14 BUF @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:05pm CBS)
07 Oct 12 ARI @ MIN (Mall of America Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
08 Oct 29 SF @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 8:30pm ESPN)
09 Nov 4 ARI @ GB (Lambeau Field 1:00pm FOX)
10 BYE
11 Nov 18 ARI @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm FOX)
12 Nov 25 STL @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:25pm FOX)
13 Dec 2 ARI @ NYJ (MetLife Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
14 Dec 9 ARI @ SEA (Qwest Field 4:25pm FOX)
15 Dec 16 DET @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:05pm FOX)
16 Dec 23 CHI @ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:25pm FOX)
17 Dec 30 ARI @ SF (Candlestick Park 4:25pm FOX)

Arizona Cardinals 2011-2012 Season Odds Preview

Arizona had one of the worst offenses in all of football last season, ranking 31st in passing offense and dead last in rushing offense. Derek Anderson had an abysmal year as the team’s main starting quarterback.

To remedy the situation this offseason, Arizona traded one of their best defensive players in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to Philadelphia in exchange for Kevin Kolb. In Kolb, the Cardinals hope they have found their franchise quarterback.

Odds to Win NFC West: +210
Regular Season Win Total: Over 6.5 (-190)
Props: MVP Odds Kevin Kolb 35/1

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Asked to be the savior of the franchise, there was already plenty of pressure on Kevin Kolb. But with an offseason injury to rookie running back Ryan Williams and the departure of last season’s leading rusher Tim Hightower, there will be even more of an emphasis on the passing attack.

Kolb will have one of the best receivers in football to work with in Larry Fitzgerald. The Cardinals lost reliable wideout Steve Breaston to free agency, but brought in sure-handed tight end Todd Heap to give Kolb a reliable check-down option.

With Hightower and Williams gone, Beanie Wells will be the Cardinals’ primary back. He had a solid rookie campaign in 2009, but managed only 397 yards on 116 carries in 2010.

Losing Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie deals a big blow to a fairly weak Arizona defense. Arizona used the fifth overall pick in the 2011 draft to select LSU’s Patrick Peterson, and are counting on him to adjust to the NFL level right out of the gate and fill in for Rodgers-Cromartie.

Arizona has a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball, especially with the loss of Williams in the backfield. Kevin Kolb should give the Cardinals’ passing offense a huge boost, but he’ll need help from Beanie Wells and the defense for the Cardinals to make a push for the playoffs. Sam Bradford showed what a difference a capable quarterback can make in the NFC West last season; now it’s Kolb’s turn.

Week 1: vs. Carolina

NFC West Odds at Bodog as of August 28:
St. Louis Rams +160
San Francisco 49ers +200
Arizona Cardinals +210
Seattle Seahawks +600

2011 Arizona Cardinals Schedule (All times Eastern)

01 Sep 11 CAR @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:15pm FOX)
02 Sep 18 ARI @ WAS (FedExField 1:00pm FOX)
03 Sep 25 ARI @ SEA (CenturyLink Field 4:15pm FOX)
04 Oct 02 NYG @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:05pm FOX)
05 Oct 09 ARI @ MIN (Mall of America Field 1:00pm FOX)
06 Bye    
07 Oct 23 PIT @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:05pm CBS)
08 Oct 30 ARI @ BAL (M&T Bank Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
09 Nov 06 STL @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:15pm FOX)
10 Nov 13 ARI @ PHI (Lincoln Financial Field 1:00pm FOX)
11 Nov 20 ARI @ SF (Candlestick Park 4:05pm FOX)
12 Nov 27 ARI @ STL (Edward Jones Dome 1:00pm FOX)
13 Dec 04 DAL @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:15pm FOX)
14 Dec 11 SF @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:05pm FOX)
15 Dec 18 CLE @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:15pm CBS)
16 Dec 24 ARI @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
17 Jan 01 SEA @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:15pm FOX)