No matter what angles I attempt to give the Cardinals, I can’t find one that results in them covering a touchdown. This sure feels like a game in which the Commanders will attempt to exorcise the demons of their past. Washington is improved on both sides of the ball going against an Arizona team that has regressed on both sides of the ball. The Commanders have homefield advantage, a coaching advantage (at least in terms of experience and track record), and they have Eric Bieniemy looking to prove his offensive genius moving away from the Chiefs. Plus, who wouldn't want to impress a new team owner against the league's worst team?

FanDuel has dipped this below 7 so we'll jump while so even with Marquise Brown and Zach Ertz both active for the Cards. Still such a stripped-down roster. Top Washington WR Terry McLaurin is cleared off his injury. And it's a rare sellout simply as fans want to celebrate Dan Snyder being gone.

Josh Dobbs joined the Cardinals two-and-a-half weeks ago. Now he's preparing to start Sunday at Washington, which fields a strong pass defense and will be pumped up for Game 1 of the post-Daniel Snyder era. Dobbs has below-average weapons and the gameplan will be conservative.

Injuries limited Dotson to just 12 games during his rookie season. He did come on strong down the stretch, posting at least 54 receiving yards in four of his last five games. Now with a healthy offseason under his belt, he could be primed for a breakout campaign. Week 1 is a great matchup against a Cardinals team that lacks talent on both sides of the ball. Terry McLaurin looks like he will play after battling a toe injury at the end of the preseason, but there’s a chance he could be limited or given snaps off in the second half if Washington has built a big lead. Dotson should receive enough targets to hit this over.

I expect the Commanders to see their easiest matchup of the season versus a Cardinals squad that looks terrible on paper whether it's on defense or offense. That should mean low passing volume for the offense as a whole. We saw a situation similar to this last year when the Commanders beat a disinterested Cowboys squad in Week 18: Howell attempted just 19 passes in a runaway win, including only three throws in the fourth quarter. Here's another wrinkle: In that Dallas game, Howell had three scrambles over 25 dropbacks -- one every 8.3 dropbacks. At that rate, the Commanders could call as many as 32 pass plays and this under would still hit.

Brian Robinson averaged only 3.9 yards per carry as a rookie, but he is set up for a big Week 1 against lowly Arizona and its terrible run defense. The Commanders are touchdown favorites. It's a great opportunity for new OC Eric Bieniemy to take pressure off of Sam Howell, by emphasizing the run game.

Jahan Dotson is a second year breakout candidate and despite a subdued rookie season checks all the boxes I look for as an ascending player. He is set to be the number 2 or 1B in a new and improved passing offense led by Sam Howell and former Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy. The Commanders will face a Cardinals team that was the second biggest pass funnel in the NFL last season. Arizona finished the year 25th in pass rush grade and dead last in defensive dropback success %. They also lost their top cover corner in the offseason. With a suspect pass rush and one of the most inexperienced coverage units, Dotson should make a few splash plays and could provide a potential ceiling game.

Will update analysis shortly.

There is some gamesmanship here by the Cardinals in not naming a starting QB. Unfortunately, whoever gets the nod will be facing one of the more tenacious defensive fronts in the NFL. On the other side of the field, the Commanders offense should be able to move the ball enough to get more than a touchdown lead, which should allow that aforementioned defense to really get after whomever is under center.

Eric Bienemy’s play-calling debut for Washington immediately makes this offense dangerous. They were the slowest team last season, and that's about to change immensely. Sam Howell is going to put points on the board against this Cardinals defense featuring lots of new faces. The underrated Washington receiving crew goes wild. Washington to cover.