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2014 Cardinals Preview & NFL Football Future Lines & Pick

2014 Arizona Predictions

The Arizona Cardinals were arguably the best story in the NFC last year – only eclipsed by the Kansas City Chiefs as the team that made the most drastic improvement. The addition of Head Coach Bruce Arians has completely changed the culture of this team and has made it one to be reckoned with – right off the bat.

2013 Record Straight Up: 10-6-0
2013 ATS Record: 10-5-1
Odds to win the 2015 Super Bowl XLIX: 40/1
Odds to win the 2015 NFC Conference: 22/1
Odds to Win the 2014 NFC West: +700
Cardinals Futures from Bovada

Carson Palmer also offers a little bit of QB dependability – something that has been missing in the desert for YEARS. Arizona plays a third place schedule this year and has a real chance to make some noise in the uber-tough NFC West.

Thank goodness the days of Kevin Kolb, John Skelton and Max Hall are over in Arizona – Carson Palmer, although he may not be elite anymore, seems to be the answer to a and age-old QB situation – not since the days of Kurt Warner have the Cards had a legitimate threat lining up under center.

Palmer was good last year and has a chance to be better this year. His O-line got an upgraded in the form of Jared Veldheer from Oakland while seventh overall pick in 2013 will be back after just making five starts last year. The blocking should be better allowing a bounce back from…

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Larry Fitzgerald had a poor year in 2013 – there is no way he will deliver another dud. He is healthy and ready to terrorize again. Remember – Fitz made Kolb, Skelton and Max Hall look good at times – he is a game changer and much better that he played last year. Lining up on the other side of Fitzgerald will be Michael Floyd who had 1,054 receiving yards in 2013 and looks like a star in the making. Ted Ginn was added in free agency, they selected Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas and Brandon Myers exists as a reliable veteran tight end.

Perhaps the biggest difference on the Cardinals could be their running game – it has certainly been a disappointment and will have to step up this year. Bruce Arians is high on Andre Ellington who is unproven but showed flashes last year – a 15-154-1 line against the Falcons being his best performance.
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The running game is definitely a huge question mark for the Cards ahead of this season – a commitment to the run is crucial in the NFC West as shown but the Seahawks and the 49ers. Ellington has to be the guy to chew up bunches of yards to keep defenses from keying on an old, slow Carson Palmer.

Arizona had one of the best defenses in the league last year but they were decimated in the offseason – Karlos Dansby signed with the Browns and All-Pro linebacker Daryl Washington was ruled out for the season for marijuana usage. A 34 years old Larry Foote will be Washington’s replacement – not good!

The Cardinals will still have Patrick Peterson – one of the true shutdown cornerbacks in the NFL while an underwhelming Antonio Cromartie will patrol the other side. Tryon Mathieu should be back from injury as well – making the back end of Arizona’s defense looking good.

Cardinals 2014 Betting Prediction:

The real strength of the Arizona Cardinals last year – their defense has had the life sucked out of it – I think the loss of Dansby and Daryl Washington loom larger than most would think. To compete in the NFC West you have to play solid, smash mouth defense and I don’t think the Cardinals can get that done without those two guys.

While I see the Cardinals offense improving next year, their step back on defense will be the big story. I see a 9-7 season this year – not quite at the level that saw them finish 10-6 last year.

With NFL football betting times just a short time away, Cappers Picks NFL handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team NFL Season Predictions & Previews for those of us who can’t wait.

Bet on the 2014 Super Bowl winner, plus 2014/15 Conference and Divisional winners.

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.