Jeff Scott Sports said:
Steve still feels the Arizona Cards are the luckiest team in the league and they keep regressing on the field, but still have been pulling out some lucky wins. Steve feels the number is correct and that points will be at a premium here, especially for the Cardinals. He also feels the cards will get crushed in the playoffs.
Why is it when the Cardinals lose it's expected but when they win it's lucky?
Seattle beats SF 17-7 and it was considered a great defensive effort by SEA (even though their offense was nothing special). Meanwhile, AZ beats STL 12-6 on their home floor and all people can talk about is how lousy the offense looks (yet the fact the Cards ran for over 140 yds against their strong front 7 - and was a better defensive team that night).
Therefore - the "luck" argument regarding the Cards sounds like sour grapes to me - esp. those folks who consistently bet against the Cards the past two years and have ripped-up betting slips to show for it.
Against ATL, the Cards simply didn't show up and play. That was the worst effort I've seen from the Cards in the Bruce Arians era.
Against SEA, the defense simply wore down because the Cards were shooting themselves in the foot, causing a lot of 3 and outs. Stanton had time to pass, but he couldn't hit the backside of a barn that day. And for one of those few moments he made a proper pass, the WR dropped it.
Meanwhile - I didn't see any lucky wins against the Chiefs, Rams, and Lions. Like all teams, sooner or later everyone gets a break during the game.. but I sure wouldn't describe their wins as "lucky." AZ's D has kept them in practically every game - and regardless of what folks think about the AZ - their 2014 game plan is to keep it close and win it in the 4th, like they have most of the year.
In other words, just because the math doesn't fit one's ideals doesn't mean a team gets lucky. Maybe the person who thinks the Cards get lucky readjust their thinking - because isn't that what a good bettor/sharp does?
I know one math formula that generally equates to a NFL win: Good defense + playing well in 4th = Victory
Here's another math formula that will generate cash for all bettors involved for the rest of the year: AZ defense + AZ home field = bet the under
That said - I sure as heck ain't touching the point spread this Sunday. I trust Lindley as far as I can throw him. After all - there's a reason why they cut Lindley in the preseason. My recommended play is the under 37 (or even 36.5). It will be a one-legged ar_se kicking contest on Sunday.