Arizona Cardinals Schedule Preview: Over/Under 8.5 Wins in 2021? Picks for Every Game
A 2021 schedule preview for the Arizona Cardinals before Arizona sports betting launches this Thursday, September 9th. Follow along as we deliver free NFL betting tips and picks for all 17 games and tell you whether the Cardinals will go over or under 8.5 wins. If you’re betting in the Grand Canyon State this football season, make sure to claim over $500 in FREE BETS at Arizona sportsbooks today!
The Arizona Cardinals have become one of the most exciting young offenses in football, led by 2020 Pro Bowl QB Kyler Murray and perennial All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins. At the midway point of last season—just Murray and head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s second seasons—the Cards looked poised for a playoff berth. But Murray hit a bit of a wall in the second half of the season, mostly due to injuries, and the Cards finished the 2020 slate with an 8-8 record.
What should we expect from Arizona in 2021? For one, we should expect an increased priority on the passing attack. Murray enters his third year as a professional—often the sweet spot season for dynamic young QBs—and Kingsbury has one more year of experience, as well as multiple new pass-catching weapons at his disposal.
But Arizona’s path to its first postseason berth since 2015 won’t be an easy one. The Cards’ 2021 schedule features nine franchises that made the playoffs last season, and their opponents’ cumulative winning percentage last season was .507. They have nine road games compared to eight at home, and four of their first six games will be away from State Farm Stadium. They have a late-season bye week (Week 12), and a very tough stretch following the bye week.
Let’s break down the Cardinals’ 2021 schedule, and analyze their odds of hitting the OVER of 8.5 wins at -105.
2021 Arizona Cardinals Schedule
- Week 1: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 12
- Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19
- Week 3: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 26
- Week 4: at Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 3
- Week 5: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 10
- Week 6: at Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 17
- Week 7: vs. Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 24
- Week 8: vs. Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Oct. 28
- Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 7
- Week 10: vs. Carolina Panthera, Sunday, Nov. 14
- Week 11: at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 21
- Week 12: BYE
- Week 13: at Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 5
- Week 14: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 13
- Week 15: at Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 19
- Week 16: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Dec. 25
- Week 17: at Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan. 2
- Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 9
Arizona Cardinals Picks & Predictions for 2021 Season
Week 1: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 12
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Titans’ 2020 record: 11-5
Head-to-head record: Arizona 7-4
Arizona’s first big defensive test of the season comes in Week 1 against a formidable Titans offense led by Derrick Henry, the reigning rushing champion the past two seasons. Tennessee also boasts a continually-evolving passing attack, with Ryan Tannehill emerging into the Pro Bowl QB Miami saw him becoming years ago. Tanne now has A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, perhaps the best receiver tandem in the NFL, and Mike Vrabel’s Titans should rightfully have their eyes on the AFC Championship. I’ll take Tennessee in a high-scoring shootout.
For an in-depth look at this Week 1 matchup, read this Cardinals vs. Titans Betting Preview.
Titans 34-30. Cardinals’ record: 0-1.
Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Vikings’ 2020 record: 7-9
Head-to-head record: Minnesota 17-11
What did Kingsbury and the Cardinals do to draw the best two rushers in the game over their first two weeks of the season? Jeesh. Still licking their wounds from King Henry in Week 1, the Cards head back to Glendale to welcome Dalvin Cook, who finished second in rushing in 2020. The Vikings also have a dynamic one-two punch through the air in second-year standout Justin Jefferson and veteran stud Adam Thielen. But Minnesota’s defense struggles mightily against upper-echelon passing attacks, so I’m taking Arizona at home here.
Cardinals 30-24. Cards’ record: 1-1.
Week 3: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 26
TIAA Bank Field (Jacksonville, Florida)
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Jags’ 2020 record: 1-15
Head-to-head record: Arizona 3-2
Finally, the Cardinals draw what should be a relatively easy opponent. Trevor Lawrence, the first overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, will be no match for Murray in this one. I think Urban Meyer will improve Jacksonville by leaps and bounds by the end of the season, but let’s not expect immediate results. Give me the Cards in a runaway against the upstart Jaguars.
Cardinals 31-17. Cards’ record: 2-1.
Week 4: at Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 3
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Rams’ 2020 record: 10-6
Head-to-head Record: LA 45-38-2
Here we are again, with another tough road matchup. It seems Arizona’s easy games are sandwiched between tough ones, and this might be among the toughest of the season. LA swept the Cardinals each of the past two seasons, a misfortune that Kingsbury’s squad will have to turn around if Arizona expects any whiff of the playoff race. Spoiler alert: I don’t like the Cards chances against LA this year, either. The Rams added Matthew Stafford under center, who should be a marked improvement over Jared Goff in Sean McVay’s system. And while Murray has flashed big games against the Rams D in the past, I still like the Rams at home.
Rams 28-24. Cards’ record: 2-2.
Week 5: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 10
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
49ers’ 2020 record: 6-10
Head-to-head Record: San Fran 32-27
Many believe the 49ers will experience a bounce-back season, and I largely agree, but I’m not so sure it will be smooth sailing in San Fran from the get-go. Will Kyle Shanahan roll with Jimmy G, rookie sensation Trey Lance, or a two-headed QB attack? Will the Niners’ D return to dominant form once again? Is George Kittle going to play a full season? Do Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have a chance at becoming the next superstar wide receiver tandem? Who’s the running back du jour for Shanny this season? So many questions, so little time. I like Arizona to emerge victorious at home in this one.
Cardinals 28-23. Cards’ record: 3-2.
Week 6: at Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 17
FirstEnergy Stadium (Cleveland, Ohio)
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Browns’ 2020 record: 11-5
Head-to-head record: Cleveland 33-15-3
Another tough road battle for the Cards, whose front-seven will again be put to the test against a one-two running back punch—this time Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Cleveland’s offense made a big leap in 2020, culminating in an 11-5 record and a Wild Card playoff win over the division-rival Steelers (followed by a near-upset of the reigning-champion Chiefs). Baker Mayfield finally looks like he belongs in the NFL, and the Dawg Pound remains a tough stadium to visit (the Browns were 6-2 at home last season).
Cleveland rocks the Cards 35-27. Cards’ record: 3-3.
Week 7: vs. Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 24
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Texans’ 2020 record: 4-12
Head-to-head record: 2-2
This should be one of the easier matchups for Arizona all season, with Hopkins and Watt welcoming their former franchise to Glendale for what should be a whooping. Lord only knows the eventual fate of reigning passing yards champ Deshaun Watson, but suffice to say we don’t like the Texans’ chances of rebounding from their abysmal 4-12 record one season ago.
I’ll take the Cardinals in a convincing 31-20 win. Cards’ record: 4-3.
Week 8: vs. Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Oct. 28
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Packers’ 2020 record: 13-3
Head-to-head record: GB 45-26-4
See what I meant by easy games sandwiched with tough ones? Green Bay is never a picnic, especially with its core trio of Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and Davante Adams still intact. I don’t like Arizona’s pass-rush or secondary enough to confidently pick an Arizona upset in prime time here. I’m taking the
Packers 33-24. Cards’ record: 4-4.
Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 7
Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Niners’ 2020 record: 6-10
Head-to-head Record: San Fran 32-27
By Week 9, I think San Fran will have things figured out, and I think rookie Trey Lance will be running a high-octane offense. This spells trouble for the Cards, who always have trouble against explosive offenses on the road. Arizona falls below .500 for the first time since Week 1, and Cards fans start to worry they are in for another disappointing second half.
49ers 30-24. Cards’ record: 4-5.
Week 10: vs. Carolina Panthera, Sunday, Nov. 14
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Panthers’ 2020 record: 5-11
Head-to-head record: Carolina 13-5
Christian McCaffrey may be the best all-around offensive player in football, but at the end of the day his QB is still Sam Darnold. Arizona gets back in the win column with a convincing win over a mediocre Panthers squad.
Cardinals 28-20. Cards’ record: 5-5.
Week 11: at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 21
Lumen Field (Seattle, Washington)
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Seahawks’ 2020 record: 12-4
Head-to-head record: Seattle 22-21-1
What a roller coaster this season will be for Cardinals fans. You win some, you lose some, right? The Cardinals will lose this one at Lumen Field, where Russ Wilson always finds a way to cook. This game should also be a sight to behold for fans of the OVER, as both secondaries struggled to slow down high-powered aerial attacks last season.
Seahawks 35-30. Cards’ record: 5-6.
Week 12: BYE
Week 13: at Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 5
Soldier Field (Chicago, Illinois)
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Bears’ 2020 record: 8-8
Head-to-head record: Chicago 57-28-6
Talk about a tough stretch coming up for the Cards. Arizona gets a Week 12 rest week, just to get thrown right back into Soldier Field in December one week later. Chicago’s D is never fun, but add the elements into the mix and you’re looking at a potentially ugly scene early.
The wheels start coming off as Justin Fields and the Bears win 27-19. Cards’ record: 5-7
Week 14: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 13
State Farm Arena (Glendale, Arizona)
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Rams’ 2020 record: 10-6
Head-to-head Record: LA 45-38-2
Call me crazy, but I have the Cardinals bouncing back after two straight tough road losses. Arizona has played LA tough the past couple of seasons, a lot tougher than their 0-4 record against the Rams during that span suggests. I like Murray and Hopkins to put the offense on their shoulders in this one, and narrowly win an instant-classic prime-time contest.
Cardinals 28-27. Cards’ record: 6-7.
Week 15: at Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 19
Ford Field (Detroit, Michigan)
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Lions’ 2020 record: 5-11
Head-to-head record: Detroit 34-28-6
The Cardinals get back to .500 with a road win over the scrappy Lions, who don’t have enough gusto through the air to compete with Murray late in the season. I like a few different parts of the Lions’ offense, including second-year standout D’Andre Swift, but Jared Goff can’t beat the Cards without the Rams’ defense backing him up.
Cardinals 30-20. Cards’ record: 7-7.
Week 16: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Dec. 25
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Colts’ 2020 record: 11-5
Head-to-head record: Arizona 9-8
It’s a Christmas evening miracle for Arizona, who claw their way back above .500 for the first time since Week 7. Could some momentum be building for a late-season playoff push? Indianapolis has an incredibly talented and disciplined defense, but not enough offensive firepower behind the oft-injured Carson Wentz.
Cardinals at home 28-20. Cards’ record: 8-7.
Week 17: at Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan. 2
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Cowboys’ 2020 record: 6-10
Head-to-head record: Dallas 56-33-1
The NFL really hates Arizona, huh? Putting the Cards in Arlington in early January is a little rough, considering the bevy of other challenges in Arizona’s schedule. But I like Murray and the Cards to pull off a stunning shootout win, provoking Jerry Jones to snarl and sneer in his owners’ box. PS this should be a prime-time game.
Cards 35-32. Cards’ record: 9-7.
Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 9
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Seahawks’ 2020 record: 12-4
Head-to-head record: Seattle 22-21-1.
Murray and the Cards played the Seahawks tough in 2020, winning Game 1 in overtime at home 37-34 and losing Game 2 in Seattle 28-21. I like these teams to split the season series again this year, and the Cardinals’ Week 18 win will catapult them into the playoffs for the first time in well over a half-decade. This game could easily get flexed into a prime-time slot, as it will surely be a firefight between Murray and Russ Wilson.
Cardinals 35-32. Cards’ final regular season record: 10-7, Wild Card winners.
There you have it, Arizona fans and Grinders. I would bet the OVER on the Cardinals winning nine games this season, and I would do so with confidence. Good luck and enjoy the roller coaster ride that will be the 2021 season!
Image Credit: Imagn