Sunday night football will feature Week 2 preseason action between the visiting Baltimore Ravens and the Arizona Cardinals. I’m suggesting bettors ignore the noise around the visitor’s preseason record and instead look at the lineups both teams will be rolling out.
Big-name starters are not expected to see the field Sunday night on both sides but it’s the Cards and the points that have me leaning on a side despite likely playing their No. 3 and No. 4 quarterbacks.
Find out my free best NFL picks and predictions for SNF’s preseason battle between the Ravens and Cardinals.
Ravens vs Cardinals odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
Baltimore opened at -5.5 and was bet as high as -7.5 before dropping to -6. The total opened at 41.5 but has been bet down to 38.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full NFL odds before placing your bets.
Ravens vs Cardinals predictions
Predictions made on 8/20/2022 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Ravens vs Cardinals game info
• Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
• Date: Sunday, August 21, 2022
• Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC
Ravens at Cardinals betting preview
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Betting trend to know
The Under is 4-1 in the Cardinals’ last five games overall. Find more NFL betting trends for Ravens vs. Cardinals.
Ravens vs Cardinals picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
First things first, Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson are both out for Sunday’s meeting, while Arizona’s No. 2 quarterback, Colt McCoy, is also doubtful.
Like all preseason games, spreads are formed on the projected QB play, and with the Cards likely to go back to their third and fourth options, we’ve seen the line go from Baltimore -5.5 at opening to as high as -7.5 before it was bought back down to -6.
Baltimore will go with Tyler Huntley (35 snaps last week) and Anthony Brown (28 snaps last week) under center this week, and although they were a combined 25-for-32 for just 226 passing yards in a 23-10 win last week, their support group at receiver could be an issue this week.
Baltimore enters the season with one of the weakest WR groups in football, and injuries aren't going to help it Sunday. Rashod Bateman, James Proche, and Devin Duvernay are the team’s best WRs and all missed last week and are likely doubtful again Sunday.
Additionally, WR No. 6 Tylan Wallace was injured last week and didn’t practice this week, while depth guys Bailey Gaither and Slade Bolden are both questionable after DNPs last week. If you’re keeping track at home, that’s six of Baltimore’s 12 receivers possibly out.
Mike McDonald’s new defense allowed 5.1 yards per play in Week 1 and should have given up more than 10 points. The Titans lost a fumble inside their 20, threw an interception deep in Baltimore territory, and had a turnover on downs on the Baltimore eight-yard line. Arizona can move the ball after putting up 36 points last week.
Are former Raven Trace McSorley and No. 4 QB Jarrett Guarantano worth the risk, even with the points?
With McCoy likely out, the Cardinals have to take a good look at both McSorely and Guarantano for their No. 3 spot. Position battles can be good things for bettors and this might be the biggest one of the game.
The two Arizona QBs took all the snaps in last week’s 36-23 win. Although the offense didn’t deserve 36 points, with just 310 total yards, the two were competent under center — especially McSorely, who finished 13 for 22 but had 162 yards and a score. He also added 43 yards on the ground. Facing his former employer might also add another element for the likely starter.
The books adjusted the line heavily towards the Ravens, as the Cardinals will be down to their third and fourth option at QB, but the difference between McSorely/Guarantano and Huntley/Brown isn’t as significant as some think. Six points are too many for a preseason game that won’t see any significant starters.
Baltimore's thin WR corps is a serious issue when trying to cover this spread — especially if the Ravens trail in the game or play behind the sticks.
Prediction: Cardinals +6 (-110 at DraftKings)
Over/Under analysis
With most of the significant starters likely spectating, it’s hard to be excited about this Over that's fallen from 41.5 to 38.5.
The Ravens will be playing QBs Nos. 2 and 3, WRs 4, 5, 7, 10, and 11, as well as RBs 4, 5, and 6. Baltimore comes into Sunday night’s match thin at skilled positions, and getting to this total a little late has us leaning to the Under but likely staying off.
The Cardinals aren’t rolling into Sunday loaded with chain-movers either. Their receiver pool is thin and Arizona could be rolling WRs Nos. 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11 in this game while No. 5 RB Jonathan Ward is set to lead the backfield in rushes as he did last week (2.5 yards per carry).
Arizona's offense also put up 36 points last week but managed just 310 total yards and under 200 passing. It moved the sticks mainly on the backs of the Bengals’ 104 yards in penalties.
I like this game to be closer than the spread is indicating but think getting on an Under three points lower than the opening total is just chasing. The position battle will elevate McSorely and Guarantano but they are still fringe roster players.
Although I lean the Under, I’m off it at 38.5.
Prediction: Under 38.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
Best bet
Arizona’s No. 3 QB competition could prove good for the Cardinals' offense that found success last week. McSorely might also find some more motivation against his former team.
“It’d be cool.”
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) August 19, 2022
Arizona Cardinals QB Trace McSorley on potentially ending the Ravens 21-game preseason win streak
Huntley and Brown were efficient last week but are even thinner at wide receiver this Sunday — a position this team entered the preseason as its biggest weakness.
Ignore the Ravens’ past preseason results, the Cardinals will be competitive in the Arizona heat Sunday, and the QB difference isn’t big enough to warrant six points for the visitors.
Pick: Cardinals +6 (-110 at DraftKings)
