Arizona Cardinals: Vegas Sets Cardinals’ Over/Under at 5 Wins

Dec 9, 2012, Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons (91) and Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) pressure Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton (19) during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, the Arizona Cardinals won five games, but they made lots of moves this offseason. Vegas doesn’t think it will matter.

According to Revenge of the Birds, the Cardinals’ over/under has been set at five games. While the offense hasn’t been perfect so far, the Cardinals filled their holes and have capable players at each position. Carson Palmer, who managed to post the league’s 16th-best passer rating in 2012 despite being stuck in a bad situation with the Oakland Raiders, is now the quarterback for the Cardinals.

While the Cardinals have four games against the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks and the league’s seventh-toughest schedule, five wins seems a bit low. Why?

The Cardinals won five games with horrid offensive line and quarterback play, but the Cardinals now have Jonathan Cooper and Levi Brown on the line, in addition to Pro Football Focus’ third-best tackle from Week 9 to Week 17 in Bobby Massie.

It remains to be seen whether the revamped Cardinals can win games, but they have motivation here. No team wants to win five games in a 16-game season, and for a team that is being coached by a guy who went 9-3 with a young team with low expectations, expectations are high. While I don’t see the Cardinals contending for a championship, I think most people can agree that the over would be the wise choice here.