The Arizona Cardinals are 2-0 and look to continue their undefeated season in Jacksonville. The Jaguars are off to a tough start.
The Cardinals are favored by NFL odds. Are they the right NFL pick?
Arizona Cardinals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, September 26, 2021 – 01:00 PM EDT at TIAA Bank Field
Jacksonville Jaguars
This season has been a disappointment for the Jacksonville Jaguars and their new head coach Urban Meyer. Meyer has had success at every college where he has been in charge. He finally took the plunge to the NFL with the top-rated quarterback prospect of the last 10 years, quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Meyer’s "rah-rah" college attitude has rubbed veterans the wrong way. To an outside observer, it seems like the players are not buying into his style of coaching.
The Jaguars defense lacks talent but it also seems to lack cohesiveness and effort. In their first two losses, the Jaguars failed to get a pass rush and their coverage was sloppy at best. The Jaguars consistently give up long drives. They are equally inept against the rush and the pass. I thought that Meyer would be able to bring some inventive schemes to help this young team, but the defense has looked hapless, and that has put a ton of pressure on the offense.
The offense is led by QB Trevor Lawrence who is considered to be a can’t miss prospect. Lawrence is struggling so far adjusting to the NFL game. Coach Meyer has not done Lawerence any favors by trying to completely install an NFL-style offense rather than importing some of the plays and formations that he was familiar with from his success in college.
Once again it seems to be a common theme with the Jaguars, Meyer’s stubbornness inhibiting the development of his young players.
Lawrence has definitely struggled with going through his reads and progressions. He is feeling the pressure of carrying the franchise as he tries to force too many balls downfield rather than run or hit the easy check down. Lawrence leads the NFL in the number of pass attempts longer than fifteen yards. He has thrown 25 of 84 passes longer than fifteen yards, an astounding 29.75% of his attempts. Lawrence needs to utilize more underneath routes to keep drives alive.
While Lawrence will still be a great quarterback, we are left to wonder if he will be a good quarterback this season. Does he need to be away from Urban Meyer before we get to see his success? Jaguars fans have to be disappointed. The hiring of Meyer seemed like a great win for the franchise, but instead, the hire could be hindering the development of their quarterback.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals opened week one by absolutely stomping on the Tennessee Titans. The Cardinals then won a squeaker at home against the Vikings where a missed chip-shot field goal allowed them to get the victory. A little skill and a little luck have been on the Cardinals’ side so far but they will take it.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has been dubbed "Baby Yoda" by his teammates for his small stature and his ability to do mystical things with football. His highlight tape so far has been the most impressive thing in the NFL this season. He runs with elite speed only seen by top runners such as Lamar Jackson, yet he throws the ball downfield with accuracy.
The ball looks like it is shot out of a cannon coming out of his hand. The only concern for Kyler is can he stay healthy playing this style of football. If he does, he will definitely be a force to reckon with all season.
The Cardinals got the steal of the draft, grabbing the five-foot-seven wide receiver Rondale Moore in the second round. The Cardinals are not afraid of drafting small speedy playmakers. Moore is another fine addition to this group of talented wide receivers. Moore has game-breaking speed (4.2 in the 40 yd dash) and Murray has found him in the flat and downfield in order to make big explosive plays that change the texture of the football game.
Moore is teamed with WR DeAndre Hopkins and WR Christian Kirk so Murray has plenty of explosive options all over the field. Hopkins is one of the best at making catches in tight windows and he is a very reliable third-down and red-zone target. This offense is clicking. The only thing that can stop this team is injuries or the defense.
The Cardinals’ defense was stellar in week one with defensive end Chandler Jones amassing five sacks in a blowout over the Titans. The Cardinals then turned around and gave up 33 to Minnesota. They still struggle in coverage so they are reliant on the pass rush to hold down opposing offenses. The Cardinals can also be vulnerable to the run as Vikings RB Dalvin Cook and the Vikings offensive line showed us last Sunday.
After facing a veteran, well-oiled offense like the Vikings, the Jaguars should be a step down in competition level for the Cardinals. I expect the defense to get back on track statistically and emotionally. The Jaguars are underdeveloped and are playing a system that does not fit their quarterback’s strengths. The offensive line is a major weakness.
The Cardinals should be able to generate the fearsome pass rush that they had in week 1, and this will make them look like a much better unit than they were last week.
Key Matchup
Cardinals defensive line vs Jaguars offensive line. The Jaguars need to get Lawrence some protection as the play-calling has done Lawrence no favors. The Jaguars are unable to get the rushing game going, putting Lawrence in third-and-long situations.
Meyer also seems hell-bent on keeping Lawrence in the pocket rather than letting him roll out and use his mobility and play-making intuition. If the Cardinals can get pressure, the Jaguars are not capable of scheming around being beat at the line of scrimmage. If the Jaguars start to finally get some production from the run game, maybe we will see Lawrence’s first win as a pro.
Best Bet
It is very hard to back Jacksonville right now. They haven’t shown much in the way of talent, teamwork, or tenacity. I thought the addition of Urban Meyer and Trevor Lawrence could help spearhead a rejuvenation of this franchise, but it is still sputtering like they were last season.
The Jaguars have currently lost seventeen straight football games. Until the Jaguars do something that resembles the pulse or personality of a winning football team, they will have to stay on the fade list.
For the NFL pick, don’t overthink it. Take the team with more talent. Take the team that believes in their system. Take the Cardinals
NFL Pick: Arizona Cardinals -7.5 (-110) BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
