Cardinals vs Steelers Pick: Betting Prediction for Week 13

The Arizona Cardinals take to the road this week for a showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Arizona was beaten 37-14 on Sunday by the Rams in another rough setback for a team already in double-digit losses. They now have to pick up their weary bodies and soldier on to Pittsburgh to face that tough defense and a Steelers team that has managed to get to 7-4 despite having some issues of their own, especially on offense. On Sunday, the Steelers beat the Bengals 16-10. Can Kyler Murray and the Cardinals give the Steelers a little run for their money, or will the Steelers continue their run of success?

Undervaluing the Cardinals

Last week wasn’t a good look with the Rams running all over this Arizona team. Some hard realities have to be settling in for the Cardinals, and the initial adrenaline of getting Kyler Murray back might be losing its effect. On the defensive side of the ball, they are severely lacking in both stoutness and big-play appeal. And despite a decent-enough receiving crew, a rising tight end in Trey McBride, and a good back in James Conner, Kyler Murray was never automatic with this offense, and it isn’t any better now. Waiting for this group to have a big day on offense has been futile.

Nevertheless, despite playing with deficiencies and other issues across all areas, betting on Arizona hasn’t gone too badly, with them at least over .500. Thinking that their overall futility will translate into betting success going against them hasn’t worked out. It’s because, despite last week and some other big misses, they generally keep things relatively close and hang in there while not often getting over the hump. Against a Steelers team where all seven of their wins are one-score affairs, maybe a case starts to form for Arizona just a bit.

What to Make of Pittsburgh in This Spot

That 7-4 record is a little hard to believe at first when you reflect on the Steelers as a whole. It’s also their record against the spread, illustrating a bit of an overachieving vibe. The offense, led by Kenny Pickett, is not exciting. They have some talented receivers with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, but neither often has a big game. But sometimes, whether it’s one of those guys, Pat Freiermuth, who was big last week, or running backs Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren, somebody makes enough plays to get the Steelers the win with a big assist from the defense. But now we see the Steelers getting the respect of a 7-4 team at home, needing to now cover a number. For what it’s worth, the Steelers would be 3-8 this season if needing to win by six or more points—food for thought, even at home against a team with the second-worst record in the league. Truth be told, the Steelers have been facing some pretty easy opposition lately, and they still don’t get much separation.

A Steelers backer must still like the matchup here for their defense. It was week four since we’ve seen an opponent surpass 20 points against this bunch. There are playmakers on all parts of this “D,” with TJ Watt already at 13.5 sacks. It’s hard to find an angle to justify this Arizona offensive line having much of a chance in this spot with all the heat they will be seeing against a home Pittsburgh defense. For that group, this might be one of their toughest spots of the season. Murray will need to be on-point and his offense is going to need to see a level of crispness we haven’t been seeing from them this year, with or without Murray.

What’s the Right Move?

On one hand, we have a Steelers team able to cultivate wins. But their style of relying on defense and allowing their offense to do enough to squeak by doesn’t make them appealing in the role of anything other than an underdog or maybe a tiny favorite. In this spot, their style and overall results leave much to be desired. But when you look at the state of the Arizona defense, one is within their rights to think maybe the Steelers can get something done this week on offense, get their “D” to give Kyler Murray a tough day, and cruise to the finish line a clear winner.

It’s just that it’s hard. With all the quarterbacks in the league this week who need to win by a certain number of points, why go out of our way to ride Kenny Pickett? At that point, the only thing separating us from ruin is the Cardinals getting off to a fast start. It’s not like Arizona elicits the utmost urgency from opponents. The Steelers could start slow and the Cardinals are capable of little offensive sparks with the talent they do possess. From a skills-position standpoint, I’m not sure Arizona might not even have a small edge in that area.

Take the Points

Again, taking 2-10 teams isn’t supposed to feel good. Pittsburgh is shooting for something, and Arizona already knows this season is a lost cause. But they’ve known that for a while and are still putting up resistance, last week notwithstanding. Without even thinking the Steelers’ success is a smoke-and-mirrors show, I don’t really relish them in this context, even if they are at home against a weak team. I think a loose Cardinals team can make enough good things happen to creep in under that number against a Steelers team where putting up points is a challenge.

Loot’s Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I’m betting on the Arizona Cardinals plus 5.5 points.