NFL Preseason Week 3 Picks: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Arizona Cardinals

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, 8/24/14, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Arizona -2.5
Current Betting Line: Arizona -2.5
Opening Total: 42
Current Total: 42
Odds Courtesy of 5Dimes

The Arizona Cardinals are second in the NFL in scoring during the 2014 preseason

Cincinnati has dropped both of its 2014 preseason contests, including a 25-17 defeat to the New York Jets as three-point home favorites last week, while going OVER the betting total in each opportunity. The Bengals are one of five teams to make the playoffs each of the last three seasons, which can’t be ignored when making your NFL betting picks. The preseason series between these two teams is tied 2-2, with the last meeting coming in 1996. This week’s game marks the first time in the preseason and second time overall that the Bengals have opposed signal-caller Carson Palmer.

The Bengals locked up quarterback Andy Dalton a couple weeks ago, which is important to consider when looking over the NFL betting odds, as he’s compiled a 30-18 win-loss record during the regular season. On the other side of the ball, Cincinnati defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is exited to see defensive tackle Geno Atkins in action, but the group might be without the services of linebacker Vontaze Burfict due to a stomach illness.

Arizona will be making its first of four primetime appearances in 2014, as it looks to bounce back from a 30-28 setback to the Minnesota Vikings as 4.5-point road underdogs last week, while going OVER the betting total of 40. The Cardinals are averaging 30.0 points per game during exhibition play—ranking just behind the Philadelphia Eagles in that all-important statistical category. Palmer is looking to build off a 4,274-yard campaign of a year ago—becoming the first quarterback in league history to top 4,000 yards in a season with three different franchises.

The Cardinals defensive line will have to adapt without Darnell Dockett, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last time out. Arizona will certainly miss his presence, as Dockett played 158 out of a possible 160 games during his 10 year career to this point, which happens to be more than any other player at that position over that span. Second year head coach Bruce Arians is excited about his squad’s weapons surrounding Palmer, especially No. 1 running back Andre Ellington, who can play all wide receiver positions as well.