Cardinals vs. Redskins Spread Prediction
The Washington Redskins travel to Arizona on Sunday to take on the Cardinals at 4:25 p.m. ET. The Cardinals are listed as a small home favorite but is there value in taking the points with the Redskins?
Game Snapshot
475 Washington Redskins at 476 Arizona Cardinals
4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 9, 2018
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Cardinals are 2-point favorites to beat the Redskins. The total, meanwhile, sits at 43.5 points. As of this writing, 66% of the public betting tickets are on the Cardinals to cover the point spread.
Washington Redskins
ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim confirmed Adrian Peterson will start Week 1 against the Cardinals. As expected. Peterson was a late arrival this summer, signing with Washington about midway through August following Derrius Guice’s season-ending ACL tear. He looked sharp in his lone preseason appearance, delivering 56 yards on 11 carries against Denver. The 33-year-old should handle most of the early-down work for Washington this year, though he’ll likely cede passing downs to Chris Thompson.
Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals signed David Johnson to a three-year, $39 million extension. It’s a last minute deal on the eve of Week 1. The Cardinals were reportedly far apart in talks with Johnson as recently as Friday, but the sides were able to bridge the gap with a shorter-term extension. Johnson gets $30 million guaranteed and $13 million AAV, making him the second-highest paid back behind Todd Gurley. It’s a player-friendly deal for Johnson coming off a lost 2017. One of the league’s top all-purpose playmakers, Johnson is now signed through his age-29 season.
NFL Betting Trends
Washington
The Redskins are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games on the road.
Arizona
The Cardinals are winless in their last four games against the spread when the contest is played in September.
Prediction
This is truly a coin flip game but I’m taking the Cardinals. Their defense is underrated and while their offensive line is suspect, they should be able to move the ball thanks to David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. The Redskins, meanwhile, have questions at running back and while Alex Smith does a great job protecting the football, big plays haven’t been a stable of his game. I’ll lay the points.
NFL Preseason Prediction: Arizona Cardinals -2