Cardinals QB Decision
You rarely see an NFL team with no clear-cut starting quarterback during the week before the first game. This is the situation the Cardinals are in, but most observers feel as though Josh Dobbs will get the nod over rookie fifth-round pick Clayton Tune.
Dobbs, out of the University of Virginia, was drafted in the 4th round by the Steelers back in 2017. Last year, he started a couple of games for the Titans, throwing for a total of 411 yards with two picks and two TDs. Clearly, the team is treading water here and hoping for the best while Kyler Murray heals.
Commanders Pass Rush
Josh Dobbs is no Lamar Jackson, but he has some mobility, and he is probably going to need it on Sunday. The Commanders were a top-10 team last year in pressuring the quarterback, and they did it without defensive end Chase Young.
They have home-field advantage here and the added crowd enthusiasm that goes along with a season opener. We think that Dobbs will be under duress throughout the game, and that does not bode well for the Cardinals.
Caesars AZ Promo Utilization Strategy
In order to qualify for the Caesars Arizona bonus for the Cardinals-Commanders game, you have to place a $50 qualifying bet. When we analyze the ramifications, we see two different viable approaches from a strategic standpoint.
First, you have the conservative approach that you can take if your primary objective is to meet the requirement to get the $250 in bonus bets. The Commanders are -320 on the money line at Caesars at the time of this writing, and that is the move we would make.
The other approach is more aggressive. Since you will be getting $250 in betting credit no matter what, you have the latitude to take a shot at a bigger payday. Even if you lose, you are still turning a net profit in bonus bets.
If we were to go with this approach, we like Commanders quarterback Sam Howell to score a touchdown. The odds are +260, so you would win $130 and collect $180 if you put $50 on this proposition and win.
Injury Notes: Two of the major playmakers for the Commanders were limited participants in practice on Wednesday. Terry McLaurin is dealing with a turf toe injury, and Chase Young is recovering from a stinger.
For the Cardinals, Marquise Brown, Zach Ertz, and offensive tackle Kevin Beachum were limited during Wednesday’s practice.
We expect all of these players from both teams to play, but a lack of explosiveness may be an issue.
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