Cardinals Overwhelming Favorites to Cover Spread vs Texans
ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals are just 2-8 on the year but are an even 5-5 against the spread through ten weeks of play.
With Kyler Murray back in the mix, there's hope that record improves over the final half of the season.
Arizona is just 1-4 against the spread acting as the visiting team while Houston is 2-2 at home. The Texans are 0-3 as favorites against the spread and 5-4 overall.
According to BetMGM, The Cardinals (+4.5) opened at +5.5 and have received a slight majority of the money. Despite seeing only 45% of all bets, Arizona received 51% of the dollars.
So, the public is on Arizona, but who are experts pegging as winners?
When looking across the net, it's clear who is expected to cover the spread:
NFL.com: Cardinals +5
"At this moment in time, no NFL player is more MUST-SEE TV than C.J. Stroud. Two autumns ago, the other quarterback in this game held similar box-office appeal. Remember when Kyler Murray had the 2021 Cardinals out to an NFL-best 7-0 start, fueling MVP chatter with his dynamic playmaking prowess? Seems like eons ago, right? Since that high point, Murray's been plagued by injuries and lampooned over an ill-fated contract clause, while the Cards have undergone a full regime change and significant roster turnover.
"Consequently, it was easy to forget about Murray's special abilities. Then he returned to action last Sunday, ran circles around the defense and deftly guided Arizona to a comeback win. This Sunday, I expect both gifted signal-callers to put on a show, with the forgotten elder statesman ultimately besting the toast-of-the-league rookie because NFL scripts are made to be flipped."
NY Post: Cardinals +4.5
C.J. Stroud is starting to put up astronomical numbers (470 and 356 passing yards the past two weeks), yet the Texans are still playing a lot of close games. The last three weeks, the final margins were two, two and three points. Willing to take more than a field goal with Kyler Murray.
The Ringer: Cardinals +4.5
"Kyler Murray is back, and he looked good last week in Arizona’s win over the Falcons. Going back to early this past offseason, I figured the Cardinals would put Murray on ice, roll with a terrible roster in 2023, draft a quarterback in 2024, and trade Murray for additional draft capital. But they’re 2-8, and with Murray as the starter, I don’t think they’ll be bad enough to draft high enough to take Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in the spring. ... Who knew Cardinals-Texans in Week 11 would be set up to be a fun watch? I think we get a competitive game here."
The Athletic: Cardinals +4.5
"Kyler Murray looked very comfortable in his first game back from a torn ACL and ran probably more than he and his coaches expected. He accounted for 282 total yards (250 passing, 32 rushing) and a rushing touchdown in Sunday’s win over the Falcons. The Texans have allowed three touchdowns on designed QB rushes this season, tied for fourth most in the NFL.
"On top of that, Cardinals RB James Conner is back, and the Texans weren’t great against the run before losing LB Denzel Perryman to suspension. On top of that, Stroud is getting MVP mention, and this game for Houston is sandwiched between an emotional win over the Bengals and a big game against the Jaguars."
Yahoo! Sports: Cardinals +4.5
"Remember the rule of the 2023 NFL season: When something looks good and everyone starts to like it, it turns sour. C.J. Stroud's MVP push — which is real, and was before everyone caught on a few days ago — has been perhaps the best story in the NFL this season. And you know what that means. Also, Arizona looked rejuvenated with Kyler Murray back last week. Remember: NFL players don't tank for draft picks."
