Arizona Cardinals vs. Panthers: Prediction and Odds for Week 4

The Arizona Cardinals head east to face an opponent they’ve had little luck against in the Carolina Panthers. Will the losing narrative finally change?

The Arizona Cardinals offense practically forgot to show up in Week 3 against a stagnant Los Angeles Rams team. And while they cut the Rams lead to just one possession, time was not on their side and it ended with yet another loss.

If you’re keeping score, the Cardinals are now 5-9 (playoffs included) since starting the 2021 season 7-0. And somehow head coach Kliff Kingsbury got a contract extension despite the monumental collapse.

Anyway, let’s focus on the here and now. The Cardinals can’t change their paltry 5-9 record since last October, but they can at least even their current record this week. So will it happen? Keep reading for my take.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Panthers Odds – Week 4

Per Fan Duel, the Arizona Cardinals are currently (-1.5) favorites as of Saturday, October 1st on the road against the Panthers. Their current over/under sits at 43.5 and the Cardinals hold a -102 moneyline. The moneyline for the Panthers is -116.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Panthers Prediction – Week 4

This game has all the makings of a defensive affair, but it’s not because either team boasts a great defense. The Panthers currently rank 18th in total defense and the Cardinals, 23rd. Instead, look for two lackluster offenses to try and find the endzone.

Recent history tells us the Panthers have also been a thorn in Kingsbury’s side, and expect this outing to be no different. While the Cardinals have playmakers in Marquise Brown, Zach Ertz, and Greg Dortch, their offense will have a tough time getting anything going unless quarterback Kyler Murray achieves the liberty of doing things in his naturally unorthodox way.

If Murray can scramble, extend plays, and work his magic, the Cardinals have a chance to win this one, especially with a stagnant Baker Mayfield on the other sideline. But then again, the wheels always seem to fall off when Murray faces the Panthers defense. And the last time he played Carolina in 2020, the game was over by the fourth quarter.

So I’m predicting the Panthers to take this one by a score of 28 to 17, with the Cardinals scoring their final seven points in garbage time. I’m not a fan of making predictions like this, but after just two adequate quarters in a possible 12 not counting overtime, it’s only logical to think the Cardinals lose this one big.

(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)