NFL Odds & Week 15 Betting Preview: Cardinals at Redskins

NFL Odds & Week 15 Betting Preview: Cardinals at Redskins

Written by on December 14, 2017

There are some very important games in Week 15 of the NFL season. In fact, I could see just two that mean absolutely nothing in terms of the playoffs. The Cardinals-Redskins is one such meaningless game. But, hey, you might just get some good value out of the NFL odds with this one. So, let’s go through this matchup and see who’s favored in the NFL Week 15 odds.

NFL Odds & Week 15 Betting Preview: Cardinals at Redskins

When: Sunday, 1 PM ET Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Md. TV: Fox RadioSports 620 AM (Arizona) / ESPN Radio WTEM 980 AM (Washington) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Odds: Redskins -4.5 (43)

Weather Forecast

  • Overcast: 6°C/43°F
  • Humidity: 57%
  • Precipitation: 15%
  • Wind: 6 mph S
  • Cloud Cover: 84%
  • Type of Stadium: Open

Last Meeting

In Week 13 of last season, Washington visited Arizona and lost 31-23. Carson Palmer threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns and David Johnson scored twice.  Palmer’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Johnson with 11:09 to play put Arizona ahead 24-20. Alas, both Palmer and Johnson are out injured this season. Washington drove to the Arizona 28-yard line before Patrick Peterson’s interception of Kirk Cousins’ pass with 41 seconds left sealed the victory. Cousins completed 21 of 37 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown. The Redskins and Cardinals have faced one another 122 times. It represents the Redskins’ third-most games played against any opponent and the most against an opponent in which the series does not include a postseason game. The Redskins are 74-46-2 all-time against the Cardinals. The Redskins’ 74 wins against the Cardinals are the team’s second-most against any opponent.

Why Bet on Arizona?

The Cardinals are traveling cross-country this week to play in a stadium where they haven’t won in nearly 20 years: FexEx Field. Since opening in 1997, the Cardinals have gone 1-8 at FedEx Field, with their only win coming back in November 1998. Arizona has six wins this year but not yet back-to-back. It tries again here off a 12-7 win over Tennessee. All the Cards’ points were off the foot of Phil Dawson, who connected from 47, 23, 32 and 35 yards. The Cardinals intercepted Marcus Mariota twice in the second half after the Titans nursed a 7-0 lead at halftime. Blaine Gabbert completed 17 of 26 for 178 yards for Arizona with no interceptions, but was sacked eight times, most by a Cardinals quarterback this season. Kerwynn Williams rushed for 73 yards as Arizona outgained Tennessee on the ground 136-65. Williams started again for an injured Adrian Peterson, who is probably done for the year. The Cards will have a new-look offensive line this week. That’s because left tackle Jared Veldheer was put on injured reserve because of a cracked ankle and right guard Earl Watford it out with a high ankle sprain. Veldheer is the third starting offensive lineman to go on IR this season for the Cardinals, who have now had six offensive linemen miss games.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 17.77
  • Total Yards: 322.84
  • Pass Yards: 241.69
  • Rush Yards: 81.15
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 24.38
  • Total Yards: 320.61
  • Pass Yards: 223.92
  • Rush Yards: 96.69

Why Bet on Washington?

Since the beginning of the 2016 season, the Cardinals have gone 1-9 straight-up and 0-10 ATS in games with a TV kickoff time of 1 p.m. ET. Also, the Cardinals are just 1-5 ATS in road games this season. Prior to dropping their last two contests against the Cardinals, the Redskins won eight straight against Arizona across the 2000-11 seasons. The Redskins have won seven straight home games against the Cardinals dating back to 1999. The Redskins are 47-20 all-time in home games against the Cardinals, including a 14-8 home record against the franchise as the Chicago Cardinals (1932-59), a 19-8 home record against the franchise as the St. Louis Cardinals (1960-87), and a 14-4 home record against the franchise since its move to Arizona (1988-present). The Skins are off back-to-back blowout losses. It was 30-13 at the Chargers last Sunday. Cousins completed 15-of-27 passes for 151 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Cousins didn’t have his best game, completing only 55 percent of his passes and struggling on 3rd down. His lone touchdown came early in the game to Vernon Davis. Cousins failed to surpass 200 yards for the first time since Week 2. He’s thrown at least one interception in four of his last five games — and in 7-of-9 contests since Washington’s bye. Coach Jay Gruden on Kirk Cousins, “He was not quite as accurate as he has been. Everyone who has seen Kirk play in his three years, knows he missed throws he normally makes.” Washington placed tight end Jordan Reed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, ending his season. Always injured, Reed was limited to a career-low six games and had 27 catches. Reed reported to camp with a toe injury that had been bothering him since 2016. Things went downhill from there as he battled shoulder, chest and hamstring ailments, amongst others. He’s one of the better tight ends in the NFL when healthy. He’s missed 28 out of 80 games since entering the NFL in 2013. Linebacker Chris Carter was also placed on IR.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 21.92
  • Total Yards: 338.31
  • Pass Yards: 240.69
  • Rush Yards: 97.62
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 26.46
  • Total Yards: 351.47
  • Pass Yards: 229.85
  • Rush Yards: 121.62

Latest NFL Odds Trends

  • Arizona is 7-15-1 ATS in the last 23 games
  • Arizona is 2-4 SU in the last 6 games on the road
  • The total went UNDER in 8 of Arizona’s last 12 games
  • Washington is 3-7 ATS in the last 10 games
  • Washington is 1-4 SU in the last 5 games
  • The total went OVER in 7 of Washington’s last 10 games

Expert Prediction & NFL Week 15 Pick

Washington could be a popular NFL odds survivor pick this week – it will win by at least a touchdown.