The NFL betting community has added even more pizzazz to Thursday night’s titanic matchup pitting the Green Packers (6-1) against the undefeated Cardinals (7-0).
In addition to the anticipated flurry of pregame and in-game bets on this marquee matchup, sportsbooks have been busy quantifying the NFL betting odds of Arizona becoming just the third team in the Super Bowl era to finish a regular season undefeated — and the first to do so at 17-0, as this is the first 17-game season in league history.
What Are The Odds?
With 10 games remaining on their schedule — the toughest of which just might be in two days on their home turf — the Cardinals remain a long shot to make history. The odds range from +2,500 (at BetMGM and FanDuel) to +3,000 (at PointsBet USA) all the way up to +6,000 (at DraftKings).
Interestingly, of that group, only FanDuel offers two-way betting on Arizona to go undefeated, with the “no” at -7,000.
Obviously, the Cardinals aren’t just battling the longest regular-season schedule in league history, but they’re also battling history in general. Sure, the 1972 Miami Dolphins have been popping champagne corks for nearly 50 years since their glorious 17-0 run (14 regular-season victories) to the Lombardi Trophy. And the 2007 New England Patriots launched a brilliant 18-0 start (16 regular-season victories) before infamously losing to the Giants in Super Bowl XXXXII.
But that’s the entire list — two teams with unblemished regular-season records since the Super Bowl was created. Plenty of other teams have gotten within striking distance, of course, but none have finished the job. Among the notables:
- 2015 Panthers: 14-0 start (lost at Falcons in Week 15; finished 15-1)
- 2009 Colts: 14-0 start (lost 15th game after quarterback Peyton Manning and other starters were benched while holding a second-half lead against the Jets; finished 14-2)
- 2011 Packers: 13-0 start (lost at Chiefs in Week 14; finished 15-1)
- 2005 Colts: 13-0 start (lost vs. Chargers in Week 14; finished 14-2)
- 1998 Broncos: 13-0 start (lost three straight)
- 1985 Bears: 12-0 start (lost at Dolphins in Week 13; finished 15-1)
Raising Arizona
So how have the 2021 Cardinals gotten this far without stumbling? The primary answer is: with a balanced attack. Arizona ranks first in scoring defense (allowing 16.3 points per game), fourth in scoring offense (32.1 points per game), and seventh in total offense (402.1 yards per week).
The Cardinals have parlayed that dominance into five victories of 12 points or more. Indeed, they bear the look of a legitimate Super Bowl contender, one that could control home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs (especially if they topple the Packers on Thursday).
And yet … look at those substantial odds bookmakers are offering on the Cardinals to run the table. Heck, Arizona isn’t even the prohibitive Super Bowl favorite, sharing the same Super Bowl odds tier as the Bills, Buccaneers, Rams, Ravens, and Packers.
“It’s all math,” says Johnny Avello, the sportsbook operations director at DraftKings, when assessing the Cardinals’ possible run at regular-season perfection. “You look at the [game] lines, you look at how the team rates against the next team they’re going to play.”
DraftKings Offers Enticing Odds
This brings us back to the Packers, who are nearly as hot as Arizona, having ripped off six straight wins (and spread-covers) since their Week 1 dud against New Orleans. And it hasn’t all been about Aaron Rodgers — during its winning streak, Green Bay’s defense is allowing just 18 points per game.
“Look at the next opponent [Green Bay] — that starts it,” Avello says. “The Cardinals this week have their hands full.”
That opinion explains why Avello is offering DraftKings’ customers a very generous — at least compared with the rest of the betting market — 60-to-1 price on the Cardinals going 17-0.
“It’s a warm and fuzzy price, and people are taking a crack at that,” Avello says. “And if you believe they have a real shot, this is the time to buy, because if the Cardinals beat the Packers, that [+6,000] line is going to shorten significantly.”
The reason: Arizona’s next four games are against the 49ers (road), Panthers (home), Russell Wilson-less Seahawks (road), and Bears (home).
“Those are all very winnable,” Avello says. “So you’ll get a good price today, but it might drop to 50-to-1” if Arizona beats Green Bay.
What Lies Ahead
Speaking of the Cardinals’ remaining slate, it includes only three clubs with winning records (vs. Packers on Thursday, vs. Rams in Week 14, and at Cowboys in Week 17). Given that fact, Arizona has a reasonable shot at winning the NFC West and earning the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs.
But is regular-season perfection truly in the, uh, cards?
Only time will tell. Although it certainly helps Arizona’s case that Green Bay star wide receiver Davante Adams (COVID-related) likely won’t take the field Thursday. Adams has found the end zone 19 times in his last 18 regular-season games. His absence certainly helps the Cardinals’ cause.
