Cardinals vs. Commanders Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 1: Washington Favored at Home

sportsbookreview.com

08 September 2023

Cardinals vs. Commanders Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 1: Washington Favored at Home

The Washington Commanders begin 2023 with a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals as we make our top Cardinals vs. Commanders predictions based on the best NFL odds.

Aftera 4-13 campaign in 2022, expectations are low for the Arizona Cardinals and it’s not hardto see why. With quarterback Kyler Murray out for an extended period of time, the Cardinalslook to quarterback Josh Dobbs as they begin their 2023 season. Dobbs was decent for theTennessee Titans last year, but couldn't help them win inhis two starts.

TheirWeek 1 opponents are the Washington Commanders, who have a lot more excitementsurrounding their QB situation. Sam Howell takes over, and though he played only one game in 2022, expectations are very high for the youngquarterback out of North Carolina. With a run game featuring Brian RobinsonJr. and Antonio Gibson, the Commanders look to be one of this season's surprise offenses.

Hereis our best Cardinals vs. Commanders prediction (odds via our best NFL betting sites; pick confidence based on a1-to-5-star scale).

Cardinals vs.Commanders prediction

Commanders -7 (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

Not intended for use in MA
Affiliate Disclosure: Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook

Thestoryline for this game is simple when making your NFL best bets for Week 1. The Commanders have a decent offense goingagainst a terrible defense, while the Cardinals have a very bad offense goingagainst a very good defense. When you add it all up, the Commanders are theeasy pick even with the spread hitting the key number.

Washington allowed just 20.2 points per game lastseason, an NFL seventh-best. In Dobbs' two starts in 2022, Tennessee averaged just14.5 PPG.

Meanwhile,the Cardinals’ defense allowed 26.4 PPG last year, theleague's second-worst mark. Even though Howell will go through somegrowing pains under center, there's no reason he can't take advantageof a weak defense with all the weapons he has.

Evenif the Commanders were to score only 21 points in this game, that should beenough for them to cover this spread. The Cardinals may not even hitdouble-digits, making Washington the easy play with our NFL Week 1 predictions.

Legal sports betting is coming soon to Kentucky – but you can pre-register now! Check out the best sites for Kentucky sports betting and the best Kentucky sportsbook promos! 21+ and present in KY. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets

Cardinals vs.Commanders best odds

Allfive or our best sports betting apps moved this spread to the key number. FanDuel offers an elevated price of -114, so it's the only book we'd recommend staying away from.

Asfor the other best sports betting sites, since we don’t have a good read on the total, wedon’t have any parlay suggestions. So, confidently wager at anyof the four books. FanDuel's price does suggest this spread will continue tomove in the Commanders' favor. Get in as soon as you can toavoid that extra half-point.

Cardinals vs.Commanders odds

TheCommanders opened as 6-point favorites, and saw all the love fromthe betting public. Over 67% of wagers back the Commanders to cover. This support moved the line to a full touchdown at just about every one of our best sportsbooks.With the Cardinals’ woes well-documented, it’s hard to imagine the linedropping back below the key number before kickoff.

Thetotal opened at 38, and stayed put. More than 55% of bettors back the Under, but there's been no movement, and we don’t expect any. TheCommanders could hit this number by themselves if their offense is as good asmany think. But the Cardinals are a huge unknown, and maystruggle to hit double digits.