2011 Arizona Cardinals Predictions
Odds to win the Super Bowl: 60-1
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Can Kolb Carry Burden, Lead New-Look Cardinals Back To Postseason in Year-One of New Era?

After floundering all season long at quarterback in 2010 thanks to the retirement of Hall of Fame-bund quarterback Kurt Warner following the 2009 season, the Arizona Cardinals (5-11 SU, 5-11 ATS, 10-6 O/U) have got their guy!

That’s right NFL betting buffs … the Cards are all in with new starting quarterback Kevin Kolb after acquiring the former Philadelphia Eagles starter in free agency this summer. Now, Kolb will try to get Arizona back in the postseason, but doing so will be no small feat.

Thanks to this expert NFL betting breakdown on the Cardinals’ upcoming 2011 campaign, NFL pigskin bettors everywhere be able to cash in early and often whether betting on or against the Cardinals in 2011.

I like the addition of Kolb a lot and there’s no doubt that he will be a definite upgrade over Derek Anderson, John Skelton and Max Hall, who all started games under center for Arizona last season.

Kolb is a cerebral quarterback that doesn’t make a ton of mistakes, thanks to his years under Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid with the Eagles.

NFL gamblers can expect the Cardinals to improve on their 31st-ranked passing attack from a year ago – and just having the threat of being able to throw the ball – should help running backs Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower have successful seasons as co-featured backs while helping Arizona improve on its league-worst rushing attack which produced just 86.8 yards per game a year ago.

Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald isn’t happy about his contract situation and could bolt following the 2011 season, so a lot is riding on Kevin Kolb’s performance this season.

Arizona added Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams with its second round draft pick and tight end Robert Housler in the second and third rounds respectively. I’m not overly impressed with Arizona’s offensive line and think they are mediocre at tight end as well, which is why they drafted Housler.

The Cards will have a new look on defense in 2011 as well with a new defensive coordinator in longtime NFL assistant Ray Horton. Arizona will run a 3-4 modeled after Pittsburgh’s defense, but trying to emulate the Steelers’s perennially powerful defense and actually doing it are two different things altogether.

Arizona will almost assuredly be suspect against the pass after moving pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in order to get Kolb, however, the Cardinals are expecting big things out of cornerback Patrick Peterson, the No. 5 overall pick in the draft.

Nevertheless, the Cardinals will need some serious improvement on the defensive side of the ball, particularly since they haven’t played much defense at all since head coach Ken Whisenhunt took over prior to the 2007 season.

Arizona is really mediocre almost across the board defensively, though safety Adrian Wilson is a Pro Bowler and veteran safety Kerry Rhodes is very solid. Outside of these two and Wilson is out with a torn biceps, Arizona needs immediate improvement.

Arizona also added defensive tackle Sam Acho with its fourth pick in the draft before drafting a linebacker and defensive tackle with its pair of sixth round picks.

Outlook
The Cardinals open the 2011 NFL regular season at home against Carolina before hitting the road to face Washington and Seattle and I believe the Cards should be able to get through this stretch at 2-1, though I’ll be the first to admit that 1-2 is very, very possible.

Arizona then hosts the Giants, plays at Minnesota and then comes back home after their Week 6 bye to face the Steelers. I can see Arizona posting an 0-3 mark through this stretch to leave them at 2-4 after a half-dozen games.

The Cardinals then travel to Baltimore in Week 8 (loss) before hosting the Rams in Week 9 (win). Arizona then hits the road for a trio of games at Philadelphia, San Francisco and St. Louis and I think NFL betting enthusiasts can expect a trio of losses over this span that drop the Cards to fall to 3-8.

A home date against the Cowboys should leave Arizona at 3-9 after a dozen games before the team picks up consecutive home wins over Frisco and Cleveland and a road win over Cincinnati to improve to 6-9 SU.

Arizona closes out its 2011 regular season schedule at home against Seattle and that should be a win to leave the Cardinals at 7-9 SU. However, I’ll be the first to admit that Arizona could end up with a couple of more wins in the wild, wacky and weak NFC West.

Arizona’s inability to run the ball effectively – or stop their opponents consistently – has been well documented and will likely keep this team from getting where it wants to go in 2011.

By the Betting Numbers
Arizona went 5-11 ATS a year ago, mostly because of their inept play at quarterback. However, the Cardinals will be able to score the ball this season with Kevin Kolb running the show, so gridiron gamblers can expect a much better ATS record out of Arizona this coming season.

I fully expect Arizona to improve on it 3-5 ATS mark at home and 2-6 ATS road mark as well while putting up a nearly identical 10-6 O/U record because of their lack of defense and improved offense. -Eric Williams

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