Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Commanders Pick ATS

Arizona Cardinals (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) vs. Washington Commander (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)

NFL Football Week 1

Date/Time: Sunday September 10th, 2023. 1:00 PM (EST)

Where: FedEx Field Landover, MD

TV: FOX

Betting Odds:

Point Spread: ARI +7/WAS -7

Moneyline: AZ +260/Wash -310

Total: 41.5

The Washington Commanders will look to open the season with a favorable Week 1 match-up against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field. Following on the heels of a somewhat disappointing 8-8 SU season during Head Coach Ron Rivera’s 3rd season, this could be an important year in the Rivera regime. The Commanders have struggled with mediocrity over the last few years. Meanwhile, the rest of the NFC East appears to be strengthening. This season, Washington will likely lean on numerous young talents as they look to take a step forward and get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

On the opposing side of the field, the Arizona Cardinals will enter the 2023 season with minimal promising signs. After a dismal 4-13 campaign last year, the Cardinals fired former Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury and hired former Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon. The Cardinals also let star WR DeAndre Hopkins go in the free market and will start the season without versatile QB Kyler Murray, who continues to rehab from a torn ACL injury last year. Needless to say, this Arizona team is deeply lacking in the talent department, especially on the offensive side of the football, where they have yet to name a starting quarterback between Joshua Dobbs and Clayton Tune.

Who will start at QB for the Cardinals in Week 1?

To be honest, there are much more intriguing storylines going into the opening week of the season that will likely have a bigger impact on the NFL season. However, one of the oddly interesting enigmas is that Head Coach Jonathan Gannon has yet to name a starting quarterback despite being just days shy of the season opener at Washington. In fact, Gannon added fuel to the speculation by not allowing either Joshua Dobbs nor Clayton Tune to speak earlier this week to the media. Personally, I don’t see the reason to continue speculation of who will be the quarterback for quite possibly the worst team in the NFL. With that being said, there are some beat writers that believe rookie Clayton Tune will get the starting nod.

Tune is a 5th-round pick out of Houston who threw for 4,074 yards with 40 touchdowns and ten interceptions last year for the Cougars. Tune also showed solid dual-threat abilities by rushing for another 546 yards on the ground. Judging by some of the comments from the Cardinals’ practices, Tune may hold the higher upside going forward, and that may be the reason that Arizona injects him into the starting lineup sooner than later. Either way, the Cardinals will still be in an uneasy situation against Washington with inexperience at the quarterback position and a roster of talent that lacks star power.

Commanders offense will be fueled by young talent

The Commanders will enter the 2023 season by relying on several 2nd-year starters on the offensive side of the football. Star WR Terry McLaurin is battling a turf toe injury, and his week one availability is in question. However, the offense has some promising returning 2nd-year starters in the likes of QB Sam Howell, RB Brian Robinson, and WR Jahan Dotson. Howell played behind Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz during the 2022 season. However, Howell will get the starting nod this week with just one game of experience under his belt, while QB Jacoby Brissett has been labeled the immediate backup. The Commanders offense puts heavy emphasis on the running game and the short-intermediate passing game, which seems to be Howell’s strong suit. While I’m not convinced that the Commanders have any emerging superstars in this offense outside of McLaurin, I do think they have capable talents to play the roles in this offense, and that will be enough to keep this team competitive when you consider the Commanders defense should be solid.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Commanders Saints Betting Trends

• Arizona is 0-7 SU in the last seven games
• Arizona is 1-5 SU in the last six games on the road
• Arizona is 0-8 SU in the last eight games on the road at Washington
• Arizona is 4-2 ATS in the last six games against Washington
• Washington is 1-4 ATS in the last five games
• Washington is 1-7 ATS in the last eight games in September
• Washington has hit the “under” in 11 of the last 15 games
• Washington has hit the “under” in each of the last five games at home

Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Commanders Betting Prediction

Oh man, this has the ingredients to be an ugly game, especially if these young quarterbacks struggle out of the gate. I am tempted to take the under in this spot. However, I think the Commanders will be more prepared to execute. Consider this a low-confidence pick, but I will lay the points with Washington!

Jay’s Pick: Take Washington -7