How will the Cardinals fare against the Las Vegas Raiders?
We brought it to you last week, and we will again throughout the season. Here are our predictions for tomorrow’s matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Joe Comeau
I don’t like calling a game a “must win” but getting things turned around and showing signs of life is going to be of vital importance this week. The Cardinals have a tough schedule, and can ill afford to stumble out of the gates.
The good news is that Derek Carr is not Patrick Mahomes and the Cardinals should (hopefully?) see a return of some of their injured players. I think the defense will still have its struggles, but I anticipate the offense will look much better, now that it has had the opportunity to knock off some of the rust and dust of the offseason.
Cardinals win 37-28
Robert Moore
I see this matchup as more of a true shoot-out. The Week 1 shakes are out, so now it is game on. Carr looks to have a prime focus on Adams. Fortunately, Carr isn’t Mahomes so depending on if the Cardinals can get pressure will determine how many INTs he throws.
Kyler will be Kyler. If the 0-line can get their act together, you’ll see more diversity with the offense. Kingsbury needs to utilize the TEs and the run game. Hopefully, he has learned his lesson.
I see the Cards squeaking out a dub 31-27.
Jackie Samaniego
Have we seen the Cardinals hit rock bottom already in Week 1? Perhaps. Which means they can only go up from here. All the rust and miscommunication can be put behind them now that the team has played a real game.
Not saying Derek Carr is a slouch, but he is no Patrick Mahomes. Given that our defense is still questionable this might be the shoot-out we thought we were going to see against Kansas City.
Besides the injuries and lack of depth, a lot of blame from last week’s loss can be put on coaching. Kliff and Vance need to make some adjustments this week. Hopefully we can get a couple of players back this week and Byron Murphy can be 100% (he was dealing with an illness last week).
The Cardinals will continue to be a good road team and win 31-28.
Andrew Heidemann
Week One was a mess for the Cards, but they do have a chance to even their record this week.
The biggest key to this game will be stopping All-Pro receiver Davante Adams and Pro Bowl tight end, Darren Waller. Waller and Adams are the Raiders’ top receiving options and if the Cardinals take them away the Raiders will have limited options available.
The Cardinals defense has the most to prove this week after their utter disaster of a performance last weekend, but the good news for them is that defensive end JJ Watt will hopefully make his return to the lineup. If Watt is in the lineup, you can expect this Cardinals defense to be rolling.
If the Cardinals defense shows up and Kyler plays like his Pro Bowl self, this game will be close but the Cardinals will run away with the victory.
Assuming all goes right on the road, the Cardinals will win 37-21.
Kyler Burd
I hate to be a buzzkill yet again, but I will take the opposite line of my esteemed colleagues here at AZSPORTS Underground.
The performance we saw out of the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday was nothing short of abysmal. It was the worst start for the squad since a 2005 drubbing from the New York Giants.
I would struggle to find a single positive thing to say about the defensive performance. Offensively, I think Kyler Murray did what he could but he will be even more shorthanded this week with Andy Isabella declared out with a back injury. The pressure is now fully on Marquise Brown, Greg Dortch, and AJ Green. If the tight ends can get more involved in the passing game, that would go a long way to keep the sticks moving.
JJ Watt seems on track to play, and that will undoubtedly improve the Cardinals front seven, but it would be difficult to argue that the return of Watt will completely turn around a flailing defense. Hopefully, former Raider Trayvon Mullen will be available, but in his first game in Cardinal red, it is hard to rely on him being a complete game changer.
I’m trying, but I can’t share the same positivity. I think this game will be a lot closer and the Cardinals will avoid an embarrassing blowout, but I doubt their efforts will be enough to get the road win.
Raiders win 27-21.
