It’s no surprise the Arizona Cardinals over/under wins total for the 2024 season is set at 6.5. Anyone wagering on that would collect if the Cardinals win at least seven games and obviously lose if they win six or fewer games.
After winning only four last season, but with three coming after quarterback Kyler Murray returned to the field, it would be considered a major disappointment if the Cardinals don’t win at least seven.
So, what do those outside Arizona think? Vic Tafur of The Athletic made a prediction for every team, but wrongly said that two teams are “projected” to have losing records.
Firstly, betting numbers aren’t projections. They are merely put out to hopefully result in an equal amount of money being wagered on each side. Plus, those odds often move based on what is being bet.
Secondly, two of the team “projected” to have losing records are Cleveland and the Rams, both of which have 8.5 odds. A winning bet would mean they had a winning record of at least 9-8.
Be that as it may, here are Tafur’s picks and comments for the Cardinals and the remainder of the NFC West
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From Tafur’s predictions:
The 49ers have won over 12 games the last two years, and Brock Purdy still has all of his offensive toys. The defense sputtered a little down the stretch last season, but losing Chase Young may actually be a positive. I also thought they quietly had one of the better drafts in the league. So, what’s the problem? Rest. Or lack thereof. As Warren Sharp points out, the 49ers have the largest net rest disadvantage (-21 days) when you compare schedules. They play eight games where they will have less rest coming than their opponents — that’s the most in NFL history. (The Ravens, on the other hand, have a plus-16 rest differential). It’s why we will go with 11 wins instead of more.
My take: Really? Basing a prediction on rest that might be a one-day difference? The rest number means little unless it is broken down by looking at who they play in those weeks. Color me unimpressed with that logic. The 49ers are arguably the best team in the NFL, and if they end up winning only 11, it won’t be because of a lack of rest.
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From Tafur’s predictions:
There was a lot of great coaching in the NFL last season, as the Rams were another team that overachieved. Old man Matthew Stafford also held up — a dicey proposition to happen again — and, oh yeah, Aaron Donald is gone (though it wouldn’t shock us if the best defensive player in the game came back from retirement late in the season to help out his old friends). Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris also split (to the Falcons), and we think that’s a big deal. We like Stafford’s no-look passes, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams as much as the next guy, but we see an 8-9 team. Maybe even 7-10.
My take: The Rams won 10 games last season, which wasn’t an overachievement. Yes, they will miss Donald, but yes, most everyone would be shocked if he returned late in the season and not close to being in football shape. What would be shocking is if they don’t win at least nine games.
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From Tafur:
New coach Mike Macdonald took down all the old pictures in the halls from the Pete Carroll era, which raised some eyebrows. But he is a pretty good artist himself and he should draw up some good stuff for a Seahawks defense to get a lot better. First-round defensive tackle Byron Murphy II single-handedly improves an awful run defense and wins NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (13-to-1 odds. You’re welcome.)
Plus, we think people are sleeping on Geno Smith — some even think the acquisition of Sam Howell means more than needing a guy to hold a clipboard. But Seattle dropped 30 passes (ninth-most in the NFL) and gave up 229 pressures (sixth-most) while Smith still led the league in game-winning drives and had a higher passer rating than Patrick Mahomes, Burrow and C.J. Stroud.
My take: The Seahawks might win at least eight games, but it won’t be for the reasons Tafur says. Murphy should be a good player, but it’s difficult for inside linemen to be the Defensive Rookie of the Year instead of edge rushers or defensive backs, much less “single-handedly” turning around the run defense. Moreover. Smith didn’t have a higher passer rating than Mahomes or Stroud. Smith was 17th in the league at 92.1, while Burrow was 91.0, Mahomes 92.6 and Stroud 100.8, and Burrow struggled while playing injured. Facts are important.
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From Tafur:
Marvin Harrison Jr. will be a big help to Kyler Murray, as will a revamped offensive line. James Conner is still a load carrying the ball and tight end Trey McBride is going to make everyone a lot of money in fantasy football. The Cardinals also got better defensively with savvy, understated free-agent pickups like cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and draft picks like defensive lineman Darius Robinson and cornerback Max Melton. Plus, we realized that we picked the 49ers and Rams to both go under their totals in the NFC West, so the Cardinals and Seahawks cash in on some of that.
My take: It’s hard to make the case the offensive line has been “revamped” when three returning players started all 17 games: Paris Johnson Jr., Will Hernandez and Hjalte Froholdt, even with Johnson switching sides. Still, the overall prediction is sound. Assuming Murray stays healthy all season, this should be a team that wins at least eight games.
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