Commanders vs. Cardinals prediction, odds, line, spread: 2023 NFL picks, Week 1 best bets by proven model
The Washington Commanders are set to host the Arizona Cardinals in a NFL Week 1 matchup on Sunday. The Commanders are coming off an 8-8-1 overall record in 2022, and will enter year four of the Ron Rivera era with Sam Howell starting at quarterback. The Cardinals are breaking in a first time head coach in Jonathan Gannon, and will be without franchise quarterback Kyler Murray, who is recovering from a knee injury suffered in 2022. Newly acquired Joshua Dobbs has been named Arizona's starting quarterback. The Commanders lead the all time series 76-47-2.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at FedEx Field. Washington is favored by 7 points in the latest Commanders vs. Cardinals odds, and the over/under for total points scored is set at 38. Before making any Cardinals vs. Commanders picks, you need to see the NFL predictions and betting advice from the computer simulation model at SportsLine.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up more than $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters the 2023 NFL season on an incredible 163-113 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. It is also on a 17-6 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of last season.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94 percent of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up..
Now, the model has set its sights on Cardinals vs. Commanders and just locked in its picks and NFL Week 1 predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Cardinals vs. Commanders:
- Cardinals vs. Commanders spread: Commanders -7
- Cardinals vs. Commanders over/under: 38 points
- Cardinals vs. Commanders money line: Commanders -316, Cardinals +253
- Cardinals vs. Commanders picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Commanders can cover
Washington was in the playoff hunt for most of the 2022 season. Second year pro Sam Howell takes over as the team's full time starting quarterback after making one start as a rookie last season. In his limited regular season action, Howell completed 11 of 19 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for 35 yards and a TD.
The Commanders have a talented duo at running back in Brian Robinson Jr. (797 yards, 2 TDs) and Antonio Gibson (546 yards, 3 TDs). Washington also has a Pro Bowl target at wide receiver in veteran Terry McLaurin. In 2022, McLaurin notches his third straight 1,000-yard season, hauling in 77 passes for 1,191 yards and five touchdowns. See which team to pick here.
Why the Cardinals can cover
The Cardinals are in the midst of a rebuilding project under new head coach Jonathan Gannon and new General Manager Monti Ossenfort. Kyler Murray remains sidelined for the foreseeable future, and the team has announced veteran Joshua Dobbs will start in his place. In two starts for the Steelers in 2022, Dobbs completed 40 of 68 passes for 411 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Arizona free safety Budda Baker remains one of the top defensive playmakers in the NFL today. The former second round pick out of Washington is a three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection. He has a nose for the ball, and is capable of regularly making game-changing plays. See which team to pick here.
How to make Cardinals vs. Commanders picks
The model has simulated Cardinals vs. Commanders 10,000 times and the results are in. It is leaning Over on the point total, and it's also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's Cardinals vs. Commanders pick at SportsLine.
