Arizona Cardinals vs. Raiders: Prediction and odds for Week 2

The Arizona Cardinals are looking to redeem themselves in a duel in the desert against the Las Vegas Raiders. Here is this week’s prediction and odds. 

The Arizona Cardinals must prove they are a better team than what they looked like in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was such a blowout that, by the end of the third quarter, the score stood at 37-7 and the embarrassed Cardinals were left to wonder what went wrong.

Many pointed to injuries, but the Cardinals had enough depth to circumvent them, with Marco Wilson having stepped up to make a few good plays and players like Zach Allen applying some pressure. However, as the Cardinals get healthier, they should eek out a better result than last week’s 44-21 loss.

So can they bounce back and show both the NFL universe and their fan base that they are better than what they showed in Week 1? Let’s take a look at the odds before I give you my prediction.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders Odds Week 2

Per Fan Duel, the Arizona Cardinals are (+5.5) underdogs as of Thursday, September 15th on the road against the Raiders. The current over/under sits at 51.5 points, and the Cardinals have a +198 moneyline. The moneyline for the Raiders is -240.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders Prediction Week 2

While the Cardinals still appear to be banged up, they found perhaps two solid contributors to help them keep the ball in their possession with Eno Benjamin and Greg Dortch. And while the Cardinals will face one of the NFL’s best pass rushing duos in Maxx Crosby and a familiar face in Chandler Jones, look for Kyler Murray and company to use the quick game to stave off what will be a relentless pass rush.

The Cardinals may also have Trayvon Mullen back for this one, although safety Jalen Thompson’s status is up in the air. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons should also be out there to prove a point, so if he and the rest of the team owned up to their poor practice habits and will heed head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s call to improve them, you should see a different defense on the field this week.

If, and this is a BIG if, the Cardinals adopted a sense of urgency, look for them to escape the Mojave Desert with a win. So I’m projecting the Cards to take this one, 24-20, in what will be more of a defensive affair than many will anticipate.