Bet on Cardinals vs. Bengals at BetMGM for $1,000 Risk-Free

Rolando Rosa Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

The Arizona Cardinals will head to the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday night in the preseason opener for both teams. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET from Paul Brown Stadium. Coverage will be televised on each team’s local channel. 

Last season, the Cardinals posted an 11-6 record for their first winning campaign since going 13-3 in 2015. In the Wild Card round, the Cardinals lost 34-11 to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams. The Bengals finished last season with a 10-7 record and reached the Super Bowl for the first time since 1988. The Bengals fell to the Rams 23-20 in the Super Bowl. 

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Last season, the Cardinals’ offense ranked 10th in passing yards (251.5) and rushing yards (122.1) and 11th in points per game (26.4). Quarterback Kyler Murray passed for 3,787 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Murray also rushed for 423 yards and five touchdowns. 

The Cardinals’ top receiver last season was Christian Kirk (77 receptions, 982 yards, five touchdowns), who’s now on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is serving a six-game suspension to start the season. 

James Conner anchored the backfield with 752 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Defensively, the Cardinals were tied for 21st in points per game allowed (21.5). The Cardinals’ leader in sacks (10.5) was defensive end Chandler Jones, who is now on the Las Vegas Raiders. Safety Jalen Thompson was tops on the Cardinals in total tackles (121) and tied for second in interceptions (3). Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. led the Cardinals in interceptions (44) and recorded 64 tackles. 

Last season, the Bengals’ offense ranked seventh in passing yards (259.0) and tied for seventh in points per game (27.1), while being 23rd in rushing yards (102.5). Quarterback Joe Burrow passed for 4,611 yards, 34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase tallied 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. Wide receiver Tee Higgins collected 74 receptions for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns. 

Joe Mixon carried the load on the ground with 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns. 

Defensively, the Bengals were 17th in points per game allowed (22.1). Defensive end Trey Hendrickson amassed a team-best 14 sacks and tied for the team high in forced fumbles (3). Linebacker Logan Wilson led the Bengals with 100 tackles and four interceptions. Safety Von Bell had the second most tackles (97) and tied for a team-high three forced fumbles. 

Since relocating to Arizona in 1988, the Cardinals have only reached the playoffs six times. They advanced to their lone Super Bowl in the 2008 season and lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cardinals last playoff win was in 2015 against the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round. 

The Bengals knocked off the Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs en route to the AFC title. Prior to last season, the Bengals hadn’t won a playoff game since defeating the then-Houston Oilers in the Wild Card round in the 1990 season. Under former coach Marvin Lewis, the Bengals lost seven times in the Wild Card round during his tenure (2003-2018).  

The Bengals are favored by 1.5 points over the Cardinals. For the money line, it’s Cardinals +105 and Bengals -125. The over/under is set for 31.5 points. 

With the starters likely to see limited action, figure on the under occurring. The Bengals will cover the spread and beat the Cardinals in the preseason opener.

Written by Rolando Rosa, our US sports betting industry expert. 

Rolando Rosa

Rolando Rosa is a South Florida native and graduate of Florida Atlantic University. Rolando is a sports editor/writer and has worked on iCasino content since 2022 across multiple websites. More from Rolando Rosa