NFL 2024/25: Buffalo Bills – Arizona Cardinals
Last season, the Bills won the AFC East crown for the fourth time in a row. However, they failed to make it to the Super Bowl each time they did so with a top squad.
As in 2022 (Divisional Play-offs) and 2021 (Conference Championship), they fell just short again last year to the Kansas City Chiefs. In the new season, the Buffalo franchise is now falling victim to the salary cap.
They had to part with numerous key players in the offseason. Nevertheless, the playoffs are still the minimum target. According to the NFL schedule, the Bills start the new season with a home game against the Cardinals.
The following preview of the game in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season should clarify why I choose the bet “Win Bills HC-3.5” in my Bills Cardinals betting tip at odds of 1.60 at Betway
The bookmakers, who always have an odds boost ready for their customers, are not too impressed by the loss of quality of the home side in the Bills Cardinals forecast.
You currently have to be content with maximum odds of 1.36 for a home win. On the other side, Bills Cardinals odds averaging 3.30 await you for a success of the guests
The two teams have only faced each other 12 times. Buffalo leads the series 7-5. Of the last eight meetings, the Cardinals, who were previously at home in St. Louis and Phoenix, have only won two.
The most recent comparison took place in Arizona in 2020. With eleven seconds left, the Redbirds converted a Hail Mary from QB Kyler Murray, later named “Hail Murray”, to win 32-30.
Now is the time. Buffalo has arrived in a transition year. Especially on defense, the upheaval was quite big. They had to let pillars like Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde go.
In addition, linebacker Matt Milano, who also suffered a season-ending injury in Week 5 in 2023, was injured again in the preseason. But there was also a bloodletting in the offense.
Wide receivers like Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis as well as center Mitch Morse packed their bags. Second-round pick Keon Coleman, who is now set to become one of the most important pass receivers, is a beacon of hope.
In addition, tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox as well as running back James Cook will probably be more involved in the passing game. But the good news for all Bills fans: they still have Josh Allen
The quarterback is still considered by many fans and experts to be the second-best playmaker in the league behind Patrick Mahomes. The QB is now somewhat underrated as a runner, but has also developed remarkably as a passer.
In the offense of offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who took over in the course of the preseason, there is now much to be said for a stronger quick and underneath passing game.
Allen has stabilized as an efficient short passing quarterback over the last few years. Of course, the quarterback does have his lapses from time to time.
But the Bills signal caller was better than Brock Purdy and Tua Tagovailoa in 2023 according to the “Turnover Worthy Play Rate” with three percent and was only just above C.J. Stroud and Lamar Jackson.
The previous year was all about rebuilding for the Cardinals. With quarterback Kyler Murray missing the first nine weeks after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, the Cardinals finished with a 4-13 record.
But after his return, Arizona was already trending upwards again in 2023. With Murray, the Red Birds had the second-most rushing yards per game and also made it into the top ten in terms of total yards per game or EPA per play.
Coach Jonathan Gannon can therefore stay on. The big hope alongside Murray is Marvin Harrison Jr. The wide receiver was drafted fourth in the draft (as the first non-QB).
The son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison (Colts) already attracted attention in college with his numerous skills. The rookie is expected to play a central role in the Cards offense right from the start.
However, the run game, which was one of the best in the league last season (4th in rush yds per game), should continue to be an important part of this offense.
However, the defense is likely to remain a weak point. In the offseason, those responsible have invested in the front and at least stabilized the floor somewhat.
However, the pass rush in particular is pretty shaky following the retirement of B.J. Ojulari. In 2023, only the Commanders allowed more points than the Cardinals.
And with 143.2 rush yards per game, Arizona had the weakest run defense in the league.
Conclusion and Prediction: The Cardinals should certainly not be underestimated, especially on offense. Arizona has improved here compared to last year. But the home side still have the better quarterback in Josh Allen.
In addition, Bills rookie Keon Coleman and Co. are up against a weak secondary. The team from the state of New York is also still a force at Highmark.
In the end, the duel could possibly be a little tighter than the bookies are predicting with a spread of -6.5 for the home side. But a narrow handicap win should be possible for the hosts.
My tip for the Bills Cardinals game is therefore: Win Bills HC-3.5!