The Arizona Cardinals are the favorites of people who bet on NFL to make the Buffalo Bills’ record 0-3 on Sunday, September 25th at the New Era Field. The NFL betting online odds for this game are:
Cardinals -4 (-110) 47 (-110)
Bills +4 (-110) 47 (-110)
Following an unexpected loss to the New England Patriots in week 1, the Cards got their grove back by routing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40-7. Arizona QB Carson Palmer finished 18 of 31 for 308 passing yards and three TDs, while CB Marcus Cooper had two of the team’s four interceptions, and scored a touchdown on a 60 yard return.
The Arizona Cardinals scored two touchdowns in a 1:16 period in the final two minutes of the first half for a 24-0 lead into the break. Palmer sat out most of the fourth quarter, and backup Drew Stanton completed one of four passes for 11 yards. On the ground, Johnson & Johnson were back in business – Chris Johnson rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown, while David Johnson added 45 yards on 12 carries, and had three receptions for 98 yards and a TD.
The Bills lost their first home game 31-37 to the New York Jets. Even though Buffalo QB Tyrod Taylor bounced back from a 111-yard performance against the Baltimore Ravens, his 298 yards and three TDs passes to Marquise Goodwin, Greg Salas, and Mike Gillislee weren’t enough to stifle a Jets who were bent on avenging last season’s final game, a loss that that eliminated them from playoff contention.
About the only thing the Bills have going for them heading into this Sunday is the element of surprise, and in their case it’s not really something to brag about. As fans who bet on NFL can see, the Cardinals don’t know which Bills team they will face; the one that falters offensively, or the one that flounders defensively. In the former field, Buffalo are averaging 19.0 points and 276.5 total yards (201.0 passing and 75.5 rushing) per game, while on the latter the Bills are allowing 25.0 points and 400.5 total yards (297.5 passing and 103.0 rushing) per game. Meanwhile, the Cards are averaging 30.5 points and 380.0 total yards (283.5 passing and 96.5 rushing), and allowing 15.0 points and 334.5 total yards (239.0 passing and 95.5 rushing) per game.
Moreover, the Bills might or might not be breaking up internally. First, they fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman, which came as a shock to people who bet on NFL – after all, the Bills offense led the league in rushing yards last season. Then, according to several sources, team owners Terry and Kim Pegula met with a number of offensive players, including Taylor, without head coach Rex Ryan – and he wasn’t thrilled either when he found out. Now it’s a matter of debate whether Ryan fired Roman of his own volition, or the OC’s dismissal was triggered by the owners meeting with the players. Either way, and to quote Honest Abe, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”