Las Vegas oddsmakers liking Arizona Cardinals this weekend

The betting world believes that the Arizona Cardinals will take care of business this weekend against the Oakland Raiders

For one of the few times this year, the Las Vegas bookmakers are showing the Arizona Cardinals some respect. It’s not often that the oddsmakers put stock into a club that’s won just twice in nine tries. That’s exactly what has happened with this weekend’s matchup against the lowly Oakland Raiders, however.

The Cardinals, no juggernauts themselves, have been made a more than solid five and a half point favorite versus the Silver and Black this upcoming Sunday. Oakland head coach Jon Gruden’s group have won only once so far in 2018, giving them a worse record than the Cards. The fact that Big Red can be favored so substantially is an indication of how weak this week’s opponent really is.

Much of the blame for the Raiders’ struggles this season has been laid at the feet of their quarterback, Derek Carr. Their $125 million man has committed 11 turnovers in nine games, but his supporting cast has played poorly as well. Oakland’s scoring attack has also been hampered by the Amari Cooper trade and the season-ending groin injury suffered by Marshawn Lynch.

The trading of Cooper wasn’t the only front office deal that has affected the squad on the playing field. The defense’s legs were cut out from under it when superstar Khalil Mack was dealt to the Chicago Bears in early September. The unit is currently ranked 27th-overall in the league and is allowing a whopping 30.2 points per contest.

All signs point to a coming out party for rookie passer Josh Rosen and the rest of the Arizona offense. Running back David Johnson was outstanding last Sunday in Kansas City, and could play even better against the Raiders. Rosen should have ample time to throw to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and company since Oakland has generated just eight quarterback sacks thus far in ’18.

The matchup against the Raiders presents the gamblers out there with a dilemma. It’s usually not a good idea for Cardinals fans to bet with their hearts, and not their heads. This weekend’s tilt with Oakland may be the exception to that rule, however.