The Oakland Raiders will attempt to log their fifth straight win at home dating back to last year’s regular season when they take on the winless Cardinals in each teams regular season dress rehearsal.
ODDS
The Cardinals are perceived to be the better overall team here with Oakland opening up as a 1-point home favorite and the total lined at 40. The betting public agrees and has turned Arizona into the slim 1-point favorite with under bettors dropping the total to 39.5.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Carson Palmer hasn’t gotten much play throughout the first two weeks of the season. He only threw four passes in the opener against Kansas City for 77 yards, but got to break a sweat last week against San Diego in completing 3-of-7 passes for 88 yards and a score.
His 57-yard connection with speedy wide receiver J.J. Nelson was one of the games few highlights, and it led to Palmer’s TD strike to John Brown a couple plays later.
Palmer is firmly entrenched as the No.1 starter, but there’s a solid rivalry brewing for the back-up spot between rookie Phillip Sims and veteran Drew Stanton. Look for each to get plenty of reps to allow Bruce Arians more visual proof as to whom his back-up should be.
Derek Carr bounced back nicely from a poor 2015 debut against the Rams by completing 4-of-8 passes for 78 yards without an interception thrown. His 40-yard hookup with rookie wide receiver Amare Cooper gave “Raiders Nation” a glimpse into the future, but there’s still plenty of growing up and work to do in Oakland with the passing game mustering a total of 384 yards through two games.
Carr is likely to go into the 3rd quarter with Christian Ponder and Matt McGloin fighting it out in hopes of locking down back-up duty.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
Cardinals quarterbacks were slammed to the turf a combined six times last week after not allowing a single sack the week prior versus St. Louis. Both of Arians’ starting tackles were charged with allowing a sack.
If the Cardinals are to compete for the NFC West title, Arizona must put together a front wall that can withstand the relentless pressure it’s surely going to face in its six divisional games.
It would also go a long way in making sure their veteran injury prone field general remains upright and has the time needed for the offense to go deep like it prefers.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"If we can protect Carson, we have some guys who can not only create separation, but can be explosive," Steve Keim said Monday morning on his weekly appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
"It's one thing to get beat physically, but to blow assignments mentally is unacceptable," Keim said. "At times, the offensive line didn't do a good job of picking up stunts.
Oakland has tallied four sacks this preseason, so it will present a solid challenge for the Cardinals patchwork line to contend with.
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
Rookie RB David Johnson is not the Cardinals’ starting running back. That job belongs to Andre Ellington even though he’s yet to take a snap this preseason.
However, if rookie David Johnson is able to build off the 66 yards he gained last week on just 13 carries, I’m sure Arians will find a way to work him into the offensive equation.
Johnson said Arians told him "get north and south. Don't dance. This isn't college anymore."
"As the game started progressing I felt a little bit better," Johnson said. "It started slowing down a little bit more. I started reading the holes a little bit more, and just helping out the offense."
If Arizona is finally able to march out a viable ground attack this season, Johnson will have no doubt played a large role making those that took a flier on him late in their fantasy drafts extremely happy.
INJURIES
The Cardinals are a mess up front right now due to tackle Bobby Massie’s suspension and the unfortunate injury to guard Mike Iupati who will be back in early November.
Wide Receiver Michael Floyd is still nursing some broken fingers, while Oakland’s lone absence is Andre Holmes who hopes to be back receiving passes in Week 1.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
After suffering a tough last second loss to the Chargers at home last week, many will be quick to ride Arians’ squad in this dress rehearsal. I won’t be one of the many.
Oakland was impressive in its home debut under new head coach Jack Del Rio, and it’s looking to build upon a lucrative home winning streak. Arizona still has questions on both sides of the ball, and enters this game with crucial parts on the mend.
Arians has failed to win his first two Week 3 preseason matchups, and you know as well as I do that everything comes in threes.
Raiders 24, Cardinals 21
BookMaker opened the spread for this Sunday game at -1 in favor of the Raiders. The NFL betting lines total surfaced at 40. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The game between the Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders is slated for Sunday, August 30, 2015, at 8 p.m. ET at the O.co Coliseum. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
