Arizona Cardinals Vs St Louis Rams: Las Vegas Line & Pick Against Spread

A battle between two NFC West Division rivals, the Arizona Cardinals and St Louis Rams, will feature two new quarterbacks September 12th. Sam Bradford will play his first NFL game ever and Derek Anderson will take snaps for Arizona. Gone is Kurt Warner the leader of the Arizona Cardinals for the past few years and also his understudy, Matt Leinert. This could be a game that answers many questions in the first week.

Running Games Could be Deciding Factor in St Louis Rams-Arizona Cardinals Tilt

Playing in relative obscurity on a last place team, Steven Jackson goes about his business as a top running back in the NFL. Jackson has a few good years left in him and he is explosive early in the season. Jackson picks up steam as the game enters the fourth quarter and if this game is close, Jackson could be the difference.

Beanie Wells is the Arizona Cardinals developing running back. Wells came on last year but he has suffered through nagging injuries in his short NFL career. Wells will be a safety valve for Derek Anderson out of the backfield also. The edge in the running game goes to the St Louis Rams.

Passing Attack for St Louis Rams Behind Rookie Sam Bradford is an Unknown

St Louis Rams first round NFL Draft pick, Sam Bradford begins his NFL career this weekend and a disintegrating Arizona Cardinals defense may be a good first game for him. Arizona is still going to be an opportunistic defense and this could lead to some picks thrown by Bradford. Always great to watch an NFL quarterback stand under center for the first time and this will be an interesting NFL debut for Bradford.

Derek Anderson was cut by the Cleveland Browns to start the NFL season. Now is replacing a living legend in Kurt Warner. How quickly things can change in the NFL. Anderson will take over an offense with one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, Larry Fitzgerald and a decent number two receiver in Steve Breaston. Anderson only has to play error free football and he should be able to get the Cardinals their first win. The passing attack edge goes to the Arizona Cardinals.

St Louis Rams & Arizona Cardinals Defenses Will be Factors in Critical 1st Game

Derek Anderson will be facing a developing St Louis Rams defense that does feature some young talented players. A major factor in this game will be the play of the Rams corners. The cornerbacks combined for a grand total of zero interceptions in 2009 and their play must improve in the 2010 NFL season. James Laurinaitis has been an instant hit in more ways than one for the defense. Laurinaitis punishes anyone rolling through the middle and is a world class tackler.

The St Louis Rams offense led by Sam Bradford will have their work cut out for them in this first NFL game. The Arizona Cardinals secondary is their best asset, which is bad news for Bradford in his first start. If Bradford elects to go for short dink type passes in this game Joey Porter and Adrian Wilson will close in and wrap up to stop any big plays. The edge on defense goes to the Arizona Cardinals in this NFC West game.

Arizona Cardinals -3.5 vs St Louis Rams: Pick Against the Spread & Breakdown

A home team dog is usually a good value in the NFL but this home dog is not barking, they have laryngitis. The Arizona Cardinals odds to win the Super Bowl this season dropped from 10-1 with Kurt Warner to 75-1 without him. That is an incredible impact from one player but it makes perfect sense. The Arizona Cardinals are a Super Bowl contending team with a great quarterback.

The St Louis Rams are rebuilding with their $50 million dollar man, Sam Bradford and this game will show the early workings of the process. Anyone remember Troy Aikman or John Elway's first seasons? They were not pretty and Sam Bradford's debut will not be pretty either. Take the Arizona Cardinals to cover the 3.5 points and beat the St Louis Rams by two touchdowns in this Week One NFL opener.

sources:

Las Vegas Hilton Superbook Week One Betting Lines
www.lasvegasinsideinfo.com
www.profootballtalk.com
www.nfl.com