Arizona Cardinals vs Cincinnati Bengals Point Spread Picks

There is likely going to be rain and some wind, but that's not going to deter Arizona and Cincinnati from putting up a lot of points in this matchup. These are two passing-oriented teams with extremely weak defenses. Both the Cardinals and Bengals are eliminated from the playoffs, so the game should be played extremely loosely. Joe Burrow is a top-five quarterback. He has thrown four touchdowns in two of his last three games. Ja'Marr Chase is the best wide receiver in the AFC, if not all of football. The Cardinals have allowed an average of 34.7 points per game during their last seven games. Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett is averaging 41.6 passes per game during his 10 games as a starter this season. The Bengals have the worst statistical defense in the NFL, giving up the most points, total yards, and rushing yards. They are 29th in pass defense. Cincinnati has surrendered 26 or more points in 11 of its last 14 games. Take the OVER.

Cincinnati's offense has been in a funk, last in the NFL in total yards, plus second-to-last in rushing and points (12.2 per game). They come off a 27-3 loss at Tennessee and have to play another road game. The Bengals are on a 28-16 run UNDER the total, including 18-5 UNDER on the road, plus 30-15 UNDER after a loss by 14+ points. Arizona's offense has been conservative under QB Joshua Dobbs while filling in for injured star Kyler Murray, currently ranked 18th in points scored and 21st in passing. Both the Bengals and Cardinals can get after the quarterback, tied for 11th in the league in sacks (each three per game). Cincinnati is 25-10 UNDER the total away from home against teams that average 4.5 yards rushing per carry and 25-8 UNDER on the road after being outgained by 150+ total yards. In addition, teams like the Bengals off a double-digit loss as a road favorite are 72-32 UNDER the total. Take Cincinnati/Arizona UNDER the total.

Arizona QB Kyler Murray won't play after testing positive for COVID-19, but the Cardinals have good depth and experience with QBs Colt McCoy and Trace McSorely. McCoy was productive last year with 740 yards, three TDs, one pick, and was six-of-seven for 69 yards as the starter in Week 1 of the preseason, a 19-16 win over Dallas. McSorley was with the Ravens last year, and in Week 1 of preseason, he played the first half and was 11-of-18 for 86 yards in a 17-14 win over New Orleans. Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury is undefeated (2-0) in Week 1 preseason games. Cincinnati is fresh off of a Super Bowl appearance with nothing to prove. Coach Zac Taylor is 2-5 straight up in preseason, and the team lost its only August home game a year ago, 29-26, to Miami. Backup QBs Brandon Allen and Jake Browning are below-average with Browning throwing one TD and one INT in three preseason games in 2021. Cincinnati has had many key players banged up with minor injuries this week, so anticipate the Bengals to focus more on health than be motivated for a strong performance or victory. Play Arizona.

Two winless teams meet and rookie Kyler Murray will make his second road start after coming close in a 23-17 loss at Baltimore in Week 2. Murray scored his first career rushing touchdown and finished 22-of-32 for 241 yards last week against Seattle. Andy Dalton was helpless in the Bengals' 27-3 loss to Pittsburgh as he was sacked eight times and picked off once and went 21-of-37 for 171 yards. Cincinnati managed only 175 yards of total offense while allowing 326. The Bengals should have better luck against an Arizona defense that is second-to-last in the league in yards allowed, but Cincy is not much better at #23. The Cardinals are 5-2-1 ATS their last eight road games while the Bengals are 1-6 ATS in their last seven home games and 1-5 ATS their last six October games. Also, Cincinnati is 4-1-1 OVER its last six home games and 24-11-1 OVER its last 36 October games. Murray has been adequate so far in his rookie season with 1,071 passing yards and a 62.7 percent completion rate. The Bengals have a short week to correct numerous obvious problems. Take the Cardinals and the OVER.