Last Updated on September 12, 2010 12:20 pm by Anthony Rome
Cardinals vs. Rams Free Pick
Sam Bradford will make his NFL debut this Sunday when the St. Louis Rams host the Arizona Cardinals. Let’s breakdown the matchup and hand out a prediction.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Cardinals 4-point favorites over the Rams in Week 1, while the over/under total has been set at 38.5 points.
Cardinals Win If:
Derek Anderson doesn’t turn the ball over. Anderson nearly led the Browns to the playoffs in 2007, but then his play dropped off a cliff in 2008 and 2009. Now he has resurfaced in Arizona as the Cardinals starter and he’s expected to fill the shoes of Kurt Warner. If he’s going to succeed, he can’t turn the ball over like he’s accustomed to doing. He has a big arm and can certainly get the ball down field to Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston in the offense, but he forces too many passes and obviously turnovers are tough to overcome. He needs to protect the ball, make good decisions and not try to do too much in the offense.
Rams Win If:
Bradford can keep the chains moving and the defense can generate a couple of turnovers. Rookie quarterbacks are going to make mistakes – it’s inevitable. But Bradford needs to limit his if he wants to pick up his first NFL win. Turnovers in the red zone or worse, in his own territory are going to kill St. Louis, who is already at a disadvantage due to a lack of overall talent. If the defense can produce a turnover or two and build some confidence for the young rookie, then the Cardinals certainly are a beatable team.
Prediction:
The over is the play here. Oddsmakers have the total set right because a rookie quarterback is starting and the uncertainty of Anderson would have some believe that it’s going to be a low-scoring game. But I see multiple turnovers for both teams, which means opportunities to score points. And with the total sitting at 38.5, I see the total comfortably going over. As far as the side, I like the Rams to keep it within a field goal and home dogs getting points is never a bad play.
2010 NFL Week 1 Free Pick: ST. LOUIS RAMS +4 & OVER 38.5