2010 Arizona Cardinals: Vegas NFL Predictions, Odds and Picks

Matt Leinart entered Vegas NFL predictions as a top draft pick in 2006 and the anointed savior of the Arizona Cardinals. Leinart proved to be ill-prepared to start as a rookie and his career went quickly downhill from there as Kurt Warner rose from the ashes to lead the Cardinals to the Super Bowl in the 2008 season. Warner has now retired and Leinart will get the chance to rise from the ashes and salvage not only his career but also the Cardinals chances to win the NFC West Division in NFL odds for the third consecutive year. Online sportsbooks opened with the Cardinals as a 40-1 pick to win in Super Bowl odds with an over/under regular season win total of 7.5 (-115) in Vegas NFL predictions.

Arizona finished last year with a record of 10-6 straight up and 9-7 against the NFL betting spread while going under the total in 11 out of their 16 games. The Cardinals ranked 11th in scoring and 14th in points allowed but were a dreadful 24th in turnover ratio. While having to deal with the loss of Warner won’t be easy, the Cardinals are well led by head coach Ken Whisenhunt who has done what many considered impossible in making the Cardinals a winner.

The Cards also have the benefit of playing in the weak NFC West where only San Francisco looks like a true contender in NFL picks while Seattle and St. Louis look weak. Leinart will also have the benefit of receiver Larry Fitzgerald to throw to as the wideout had another stellar year with 97 catches and 1,092 yards along with 13 touchdowns. The collapse of the defense down the stretch last year is cause for concern and must be corrected for Arizona to have a shot at a third consecutive playoff berth.