The building blocks appear to be in place. Murray looks as if he might have been worth the risk as the No. 1 overall draft pick, and Arizona is quickly gaining a reputation for stealing quality players. It did so with the late-season acquisition of the versatile and game-breaking running back Kenyan Drake, then unloaded his predecessor for perhaps the NFL's top receiver in DeAndre Hopkins.
The Cardinals also addressed their needs in the draft, taking perhaps the most NFL-ready defender in Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons and a pair of solid prospects at defensive end.
The 2020 schedule appears to be a favorable one for non-conference opponents, and it's possible Arizona could finish .500. But it could be considered a major accomplishment if the Cardinals finish higher than fourth out of four in the NFC West. Consider betting Arizona in Week 11 at Seattle, as the Cardinals have covered five straight visits to CenturyLink Field.
ARIZONA CARDINALS BETTING PROFILE
2019 record: 5-10-1, last in NFC West
2019 against the spread: 9-5-2
2019 ATS margin: +0.5
2019 Over-Under: 9-7
2020 strength of schedule: Tied for 10th-toughest; opponents combined for a .516 winning percentage last year
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WILLIAM HILL 2020 ARIZONA CARDINALS FUTURES ODDS
Win total: 7 (Over -130 favorite)
To make playoffs: No -300, yes +240
Division: +1200 to win NFC West
Conference: +2800 to win NFC
Super Bowl 55: +6000 to win
NFL MVP: QB Kyler Murray +2000, WR DeAndre Hopkins +15,000
Coach of the Year: Kliff Kingsbury +1400
Defensive Rookie of the Year: LB Isaiah Simmons +800
SportsLine Model's projection: 6.9 wins (Pick is Under)
ARIZONA CARDINALS GAME-BY-GAME BETTING TRENDS
Week 1 at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET: The Cardinals lost both games SU last season but covered both.
Week 2 vs. Washington Redskins, 4:05 p.m. ET: Arizona is 2-10 SU and 4-8 ATS in the series.
Week 3 vs. Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m. ET: Arizona is 7-2-1 SU and ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Week 4 at Carolina Panthers, 4 p.m. ET: Carolina has won and covered four straight in the series.
Week 5 at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET: The Jets are 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in the series.
Week 6 at Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m. ET: The Cardinals are on a 4-1 SU and ATS streak in the series.
Week 7 vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m., ET: The Cardinals are 2-4 ATS at home in the series.
Week 8: Bye
Week 9 vs. Miami Dolphins, 4:25 p.m. ET: The Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
Week 10 vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:05 p.m. ET: Arizona is 1-6 ATS and SU in the series.
Week 11 at Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 p.m. ET: The Cardinals have covered five straight in Seattle.
Week 12 at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET: The Over is 8-0 the week after Arizona visits Seattle. New England is 6-1 ATS and SU in the series.
Week 13 vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m.: Arizona's last home win and cover in the series came in 2014.
Week 14 at New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET: The Cardinals have won and covered four of the last five meetings.
Week 15 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:05 p.m. ET: The Cardinals are 5-3 ATS in the last eight meetings.
Week 16 vs. San Francisco 49ers, TBD: Arizona is on an 8-2 ATS run overall in the series.
Week 17 at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET: The Cardinals are 0-6 SU and ATS in the last six meetings.
EXPERT PICK FROM MIKE TIERNEY, LAST SEASON'S TOP NFL HANDICAPPER FOR SPORTSLINE: Over 6.5 wins
Quarterbacks entering their second seasons commonly take a leap forward, and Kyler Murray is poised for an Olympic-style long jumper's leap. Peerless WR DeAndre Hopkins joins the fold, allowing the ageless Larry Fitzgerald to assume an ideal complementary role. With some coaching creativity, Swiss-army-knife linebacker Isaiah Simmons could be the league's most impactful rookie on defense. Arizona closed 2019 on a semi-high, winning two of its last three. The biggest hurdle to an Over is navigating the half-dozen challenging division games.
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