Raiders visit Cardinals to Open Preseason
The 2016 NFL Preseason continues on Friday when the Oakland Raiders visit the Arizona Cardinals in a showdown between an up and coming team and a team that was one game from the Super Bowl last season. The current line has Arizona favored by 3 points with the over/under point total on 37.5.
Following their 7-9 season last year, the Oakland Raiders hope to improve with a goal of reaching the postseason and possibly taking the AFC West title away from last year’s division, conference and Super Bowl winner the Denver Broncos.
Offensively the Raiders are lead by Derek Carr their talented quarterback. In 2015, Carr threw for close to 4,000 yards, while tossing 32 touchdowns passes. Amari Cooper, a rookie last season out of Alabama had 72 receptions and those numbers are expected to increase in 2016.
The rushing attack for the Raiders was led by Latavius Murray, who had 1,066 yards on the ground. The Raiders must improve their rushing attack to help take pressure off Carr when he drops back to pass. On defense, Khalil Mack led the Raiders with 15 sacks during last season.
Last season, the Cardinals played in the NFC Championship but lost to the Carolina Panthers. The Cardinals are hoping this season to take one more step and play in the Super Bowl.
Carson Palmer the talented veteran quarterback for the Cardinals finally remained healthy the entire season. He passed for more than 4,600 yards while tossing 35 touchdown passes.
Larry Fitzgerald was the top target for Palmer with 109 receptions for more than 1,200 yards. This season look for David Johnson and John Brown to add to the Cardinals offensive attack.
Over the past five times the two teams have played head to head, Oakland is 4-1 ATS.
Arizona is 1-6 ATS over its past 7 games played at home.
The UNDER has cashed in 6 of the past 8 games the Cardinals have played overall.
The UNDER has cashed in 3 of the past 4 games the Raiders have played on the road.
During the early part of preseason, the younger, deeper teams tend to come out on top. The aging offense of the Cardinals might not even have any top players on the field.
Both Palmer and Fitzgerald for the Cardinals might not even play at all. The Raiders will have a number of young players fighting for starting spots and roster spots giving them the advantage here.
Prediction: Arizona will play fewer starters than Oakland. Lean here toward the visiting Raiders.
