New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals
When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, December 18, 2016
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Cardinals -2.5.
O/U: 50.5.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 26, Saints 23

Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 3-point favorites versus the Saints, while the game’s total is sitting at 50½.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — When the NFL schedule was first released, Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints figured to be a Week 15 classic NFC matchup with plenty on the line for both franchises as the playoffs approached.

Now?

With each team out of the running — the Cardinals limping along at 5-8-1 and the Saints at 5-8 in danger of their third straight losing season — there isn’t a whole lot on the line when the two clubs collide at University of Phoenix Stadium.

It holds about as much drama as one of those throw-in bowl games in college football, the ones with the funky names and below-average teams.

Unless, of course, you factor in this underlying little factoid: It will be a matchup of the NFL’s top-ranked defense of the Cardinals, who are allowing just 285.5 yards per game, against the league’s No. 1-rated offense of the Saints, who are averaging 418.3 yards per game.

“I guess that’s kind of exciting, isn’t it?” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said sarcastically.

“No, it will be a great challenge for us in a lot of different areas, our ability to execute. We look at the statistical categories of this defense, and they’re tops in the league in just about every category.

“When you look at that, you say, ‘Wow, it’s a big challenge for us to run the football, it’s a big challenge for us to protect, to get open and to make plays and get points.’ At the end of the day, it’s our team against their team, but our offense against their defense just poses a great challenge for us.”

The Cardinals, NFC West champions a year ago when they went 13-3, have only won two of their last seven games (2-5-1) and not only have they been besieged by injuries to key personnel across the board but they also cut No. 2 wide receiver Michael Floyd this week, just two days after his arrest on suspicion of DUI.

Floyd’s departure puts that much more pressure on veteran Larry Fitzgerald, who ranks second in the league with 91 receptions. It also means the Cardinals need more from J.J. Nelson and John Brown, the latter of which has dealt with leg cramping issue most of the season brought on by complications from sickle-cell trait.

“We’re not going to change,” quarterback Carson Palmer said. “We’re not putting in new plays, taking out plays. We’re running our stuff.”

So will the Saints, although it hasn’t worked very well the past two weeks in back-to-back losses to the Lions and Buccaneers. Brees had zero touchdown and three interceptions in each of those games.

The future Hall of Famer last went two straight games without a touchdown in 2008 and never before in his career had he been intercepted three times in consecutive games. He did have two potential touchdown passes dropped during the loss to Tampa Bay, and the Saints were flagged 13 times for 104 yards.

“It was just like one thing after another,” Brees said. “All the bad things that could have happened, happened. I’m a confident guy. I know how to correct things when they occur. A lot of it’s just with my process and how to prepare, and then how I take that to game day. I know I’ve got to be better in certain ways. I’ll do that.”

Saints coach Sean Payton has no doubts about that. He knows his star quarterback, who turns 38 next month, will bounce back.

“I think he’s one of those guys that’s extremely competitive,” Payton said. “Just like we do as coaches, when you watch the tape, you feel like there are things that certainly we could do better and put him in better positions. It angers you. It frustrates you.

“To be at this stage of the season, you always want to be playing for something. I think that those are the things that drive the guys like him, and I think you’ll see that.”

Arizona’s defense will be playing short-handed, as starting inside linebacker Deone Bucannon (ankle) and safety Tyvon Branch (groin) have both been placed on season-ending injured reserve. Safety Tyrann Mathieu, however, hopes to be able to play after missing four of the last five games because of a nagging shoulder injury.

Still, the Cardinals know they’ll have their hands full against Brees and a pass rush that could expose Arizona’s patchwork offensive line, which seems to change from week to week.

A loss would guarantee the Cardinals their first losing season in coach Bruce Arians’ four years in Arizona. All the adversity his team has faced this year would seem to be a full plate for any coach, but Arians brushed it off.

“No, there are guys that have it a whole lot worse than I do,” Arians said. “It’s just part of the job. You embrace it and you go on. Injuries or whatever it is, you have to get a game plan and go until the season is over.”

One of the consistent positives in the Cardinals’ disappointing season has been the continued production and versatility of running back David Johnson, who stands a chance to become only the third player in NFL history to finish with more than 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards.

Johnson already has 1,085 rushing yards and he’s 255 receiving yards from 1,000 with three games to play. Marshall Faulk (1999) and Roger Craig (1985) are the only players to accomplish the feat.

The post New Orleans vs. Arizona Odds & Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 11, 2016
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Dolphins -1. O/U: 43.5
PREDICTION: Cardinals 28, Dolphins 16

Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 2-point favorites versus the Dolphins, while the game’s total is sitting at 43½.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (5-6-1): Arizona is making its first trek to play a regular-season game in Miami since 2004. How long ago was that? Well, veteran wideout Larry Fitzgerald began his active streak (191) of catching at least one pass in that contest, which he capped with a touchdown reception with 19 seconds remaining to push the Cardinals to a 24-23 victory. Fitzgerald (NFL high-tying 88 catches) is a trusted target of veteran Carson Palmer, who recorded his 48th career 300-yard performance last week and 21st as a member of Arizona to reside one shy of Kurt Warner’s franchise record.

Last time out for Arizona, they were a 31-23 winner as they battled the Redskins at home. The Cardinals covered in the match as a -2.5-point favorite, while 54 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Arizona Stats:
Team record: 5-6-1 SU,4-8 ATS
Arizona is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Arizona is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona’s last 5 games

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (7-5): Jay Ajayi announced his presence by eclipsing the 200-yard plateau in back-to-back outings and adding a 111-yard performance coming out of the team’s bye before being held under 80 yards in each of his last four games. The second-year back could continue to struggle to amass yards versus Arizona, which boasts the second-ranked total defense (297.3). Jarvis Landry erupted for 11 catches last week while Miami tried in vain to rally versus Baltimore, but should be shadowed by Patrick Peterson. Linebacker Kiko Alonso (team-leading 97 tackles) missed practice on Thursday due to thumb and hamstring injuries and is unsure if he’ll play on Sunday.

Miami Stats:
Team record: 7-5 SU,6-5-1 ATS
Miami is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Miami is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami’s last 6 games

EXTRA POINTS
1. Johnson would tie Edgerrin James (2005) with 13 straight 100 scrimmage yard games to begin a season should the former reach triple digits on Sunday.
2. Miami DE Cameron Wake, who leads the team with 8.5 sacks, recorded a franchise-best 4.5 in his last meeting with Arizona.
3. The Cardinals are just 1-4 on the road this season after winning seven of eight away from home last season.

The post Arizona vs. Miami Odds & Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Washington Redskins vs. Arizona Cardinals
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, December 4, 2016
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Cardinals -2.5. O/U: 49
PREDICTION: Redskins 28, Cardinals 24

Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 2-point favorites versus the Redskins, while the game’s total is sitting at 49.

Arizona surrendered a total of 68 points in losses at Minnesota and Atlanta in its last two games, and Arians hinted at selfishness as the cause. “I thought, defensively, we had some guys get out of their lane again and try to do too much,” he told reporters, “tried to get on the stat sheet instead of just doing their job.” Safety Tyrann Mathieu played against the Falcons last week but described himself as “limited” due to a shoulder injury while cornerback Marcus Cooper recorded a career-high nine tackles.

In their last action, Arizona was a 38-19 loser on the road against the Falcons. They failed to cover the +4-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (57) was profitable news for OVER bettors.

Arizona Stats:
Team record: 4-6-1 SU,3-8 ATS
Arizona is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Arizona is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games
Arizona is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games at home

Kirk Cousins is playing out the season under the franchise tag and continues to give the team reasons to sign him to a long-term extension. Cousins threw for 449 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in the 31-26 loss at Dallas – the second time in the last four games he went over 440 yards and his third contest in a row without an interception. “Much like any other job, as you perform it longer in the same role, you’re going to get comfortable and say, ‘OK, I’ve been here, I’ve done this, I can do this,'” Cousins explained to reporters.

The Redskins were a 31-26 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Cowboys. They covered the +5.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (57) made winners of OVER bettors.

Washington Stats:
Team record: 6-4-1 SU,8-3 ATS
Washington is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Washington is 6-2-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Washington’s last 16 games

The post Washington vs. Arizona Odds & Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons
When: 11/27/2016 1:00 PM

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Falcons -4.5 O/U: 51
PREDICTION: Falcons 40, Cardinals 28
Oddsmakers currently have the Falcons listed as 6-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game’s total is sitting at 51.

One team is hoping to prevent a second-half slide like the one that derailed its season a year ago.

The other is just trying to keep its head above water, knowing that one more loss could effectively end any chance it has left of making the playoffs for a third straight year.

That and more are on the line Sunday at the Georgia Dome when the Arizona Cardinals (4-5-1) visit the Atlanta Falcons (6-4) in a pivotal NFC battle.

This marks the seventh time in the past 11 years that the teams met, with each splitting the previous six meetings.

It’s a chance for the Falcons to extend their slim lead in the NFC South over the Buccaneers, Saints and Panthers. It’s a chance for the Cardinals to possible salvage their season — at least for another week.

Asked if his team had a sense of urgency, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, who had to spend a night in the hospital because of chest pains following his team’s latest loss — a 26-20 defeat at Minnesota — just scowled.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “If you don’t have one right now you don’t belong in the business, and you damn sure don’t belong in this locker room.”

The Cardinals have been searching for answers all season after a 13-3 regular season a year ago in which the offense set multiple franchise records and quarterback Carson Palmer was in the conversation for MVP candidacy upon setting several career firsts.

Palmer and the offense, however, went missing in 2016 and other than second-year running back David Johnson, who ranks third in the league in rushing with 863 yards, there hasn’t been any of the same consistency Arians and the Cardinals are used to enjoying.

Palmer said there’s only one thing on the team’s mind as it gets ready for the Falcons.

“To win one game,” he said. “Can’t worry about seeding or standings or division records; nothing matters other than this game. As leaders, as the older guys in the locker room, you just keep everybody’s focus on one day at a time, finishing today. We’ve got the practice part done. We have a lot of meetings and a lot of tape to watch. You finish day after day after day, and that’s the mindset that we have.”

As for the Falcons, they still have last season on their mind. Atlanta began 6-1, but scuffled their way to a 2-7 finish over their last nine games to finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs for the third straight season.

Another second-half collapse wouldn’t only be punishing, it could lead to more changes once again for a franchise that hasn’t been able to finish what it started. Coach Dan Quinn acknowledged that still resonates across the organization, but that last season’s second-half fail could propel the Falcons moving forward.

“Well, we certainly hope so,” Quinn said. “The scars that you get when you finish poorly, they definitely leave a mark. We’re a way different team than our 2015 team — our mental toughness, our resilience; we’re just tighter, we’re better, we’re more complete in that way.

“That’s, I think, the biggest difference. Although we didn’t finish all of them like we’d like to this year, I would say we’re quite a bit different outfit than we were at the end of 2015.”

Atlanta boasts one of the league’s best offenses. It’s ranked first in points per game (32.0), yards per play (6.7), passing yards per play (8.9) and touchdowns scored (36). Overall, the offense is ranked third, averaging 416.6 yards per game.

Quarterback Matt Ryan is enjoying one of his finest season to date, ranking second in passing yards (3,247), third in passing touchdowns (24) and fourth in completion percentage (68.2). His favorite target, wide receiver Julio Jones, leads the league in receiving yards (1,105) and has been difficult for everyone to slow down.

Jones had 10 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown in his last game against the Cardinals two years ago, torching Arizona’s All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson. That was the season in which Peterson, however, was dealing with Diabetes and it had to be diagnosed, which led to his worst season in the pros.

Peterson is completely different player now, however, and Jones can see that on film.

“He dropped that weight, looks like he’s in better shape,” Jones said. “He’s always a good athlete, a guy who can make plays. He can pretty much do a lot of great things.”

Peterson will shadow Jones throughout the game, something other teams have tried and failed to do against Jones this season.

“Teams have been trying to do that, but they’ve been playing a lot of two-man while they were doing it,” Jones said. “They’ll take their OK corner and put him over me and then just have safety help, and try to put the better corner on the other side, try to let him lock that side down. Pat P, it’s just usually one-on-one. It’s always been great matchups between us.”

The Cardinals get Tyrann Mathieu, their playmaking safety, back this week after the Honey Badger missed the last two games because of a shoulder subluxation. His addition could make the league’s top-ranked defense, which is allowing a league-low 287.4 total yards per game as well as the fewest passing yards per game (190.2), that much more dangerous.

As good as Arizona’s defense has been, Mathieu said it hasn’t been good enough.

“I think we could play better,” he said. “Every game, there’s like three or four plays where we’re just giving up touchdowns or giving up big plays. We’ve got to continue to create turnovers, we’ve got to create more turnovers, we’ve got to find a way to score and shorten the field for our offense.”

Mathieu said the Cardinals will have their hands full with Ryan, Jones and Atlanta’s running back tandem of Davonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, who is finally healthy.

“They’re a dominating offense, obviously,” he said. “Matt Ryan is playing tremendous right now, Julio, it goes without saying, and they’ve got two running back that are definitely going to try and hurt us in the run and the pass game, so our front has to play well, our linebackers have to play well and then on the back end, we’ve got to do a good of containing Julio.”

The post Arizona vs. Atlanta Odds & Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
When: 8:30 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
LINE: Cardinals -2. O/U: 43.5
PREDICTION: Seahawks 23, Cardinals 20
Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 2-point favorites versus the Seahawks, while the game’s total is sitting at 43½.

Arizona featured one of the league’s top passing attacks last season, but second-year running back David Johnson has altered the team’s offensive identity by rushing for 268 yards and five touchdowns over the past two games, giving him a league-best eight scores on the ground. Johnson could be in for a heavy workload if the Cardinals have to turn to Drew Stanton, who threw for 124 yards on 11-of-28 passing in place of Palmer in a Week 5 win at San Francisco. Arizona’s defense is tied for fourth in the league (295.0 yards allowed) and tied for third in sacks (19). Arizona won its last outing, a 28-3 result against the Jets on October 17. The Cardinals covered in that game as a -7-point favorite, while the 31 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 3-3 SU,3-3 ATS
Arizona is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Arizona is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games
Arizona is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games at home

Despite getting blitzed for three touchdowns in an 11-minute span by Atlanta’s top-ranked offense last week, Seattle owns the league’s No. 1 defense and is third in points (15.6) and rushing yards (74.6) allowed. Quarterback Russell Wilson, who has a passer rating of at least 121.9 in three of the last four meetings with the Cardinals, guided Seattle to a 36-6 rout at Arizona in the regular-season finale in January. Tight end Jimmy Graham continues to be the top target for Wilson with six receptions in each of the last three games for a combined 302 yards. Seattle won its last outing, a 26-24 result against the Falcons on October 16. The Seahawks failed to cover in that game as a -6.5-point favorite, while the 50 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team record: 4-1 SU,2-3 ATS
Current Streak: won 3 straight games.
Seattle is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 6 games

The post Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals Odds & Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Arizona at Chicago
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 20, 2015
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Cardinals -2. O/U: 46
PREDICTION: Cardinals 27, Bears 23
Join BetOnline and get up to $1,000 BONUS

Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Bears, while the game’s total is sitting at 44½.

Chicago stayed in the game against the Packers thanks to a huge effort from Matt Forte (141 rushing yards, TD). The Bears likely will have a tougher time running the ball against Arizona and will need Jay Cutler to improve upon last week’s 18-of-36 performance for 225 yards with a TD and an interception. Chicago’s defense did a solid job against the pass, limiting Aaron Rodgers to 189 yards, but surrendered touchdowns on four of Green Bay’s five trips to the red zone.

Chicago was a 31-23 loser in its last match at home against the Packers. They failed to cover the +6-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 54 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 0-1 SU,0-1 ATS
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Chicago is 4-14-1 ATS in its last 19 games at home
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home

Arizona came away from Week 1 with some concerns about the secondary, as New Orleans’ Drew Brees rolled up 355 passing yards. The Cardinals might force the Bears to beat them through the air, however, as they boast the league’s best run defense through one week after holding New Orleans to 54 yards on 20 carries. Palmer completed passes to eight receivers last week, with second-year receiver John Brown (four receptions, 46 yards) and tight end Darren Fells (four, 82) making touchdown catches.

The Cardinals were a 31-19 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Saints. They covered the -2-point spread as favorites, while the total score (50) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 1-0 SU,1-0 ATS
Arizona is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games
Arizona is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago

The post Arizona vs. Chicago Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

Arizona at Carolina
When: 4:35 PM ET, Saturday, January 3, 2015
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: 4:35 p.m. ET, ESPN.
LINE: Panthers -6.5. O/U: 38
PREDICTION: Panthers 20, Cardinals 19
Join BetOnline and get up to $1,000 BONUS

Oddsmakers currently have the Panthers listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game’s total is sitting at 38½.

While Carolina had the good fortune of closing the season against four teams that finished with losing records, its defense surrendered an average of 10.8 points during the winning streak and limiting Atlanta to a season-low three points in last week’s division clincher. Luke Kuechly – “The best middle linebacker in football,” according to Arians – led the league in tackles for the second time in three seasons and is the backbone of a unit that was shredded for at least 37 points in five of the first 10 games. Cam Newton suffered two fractures in his back in a rollover car accident earlier in December, but has rushed for a TD in three straight games and has a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in rookie Kelvin Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen.

Carolina won its last outing, a 34-3 result against the Falcons on December 28. The Panthers covered in that game as a +2.5-point underdog, while the 37 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 7-8-1 SU,8-8 ATS
Current Streak: won 4 straight games.
Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Carolina’s last 6 games
Carolina is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Carolina’s last 5 games at home

While Arizona is still holding out a slight hope that backup Drew Stanton (knee) can return, the reality is that Lindley will make his third straight start and attempt to build on last week’s 316-yard, two-TD, three-interception performance – sans the picks. Michael Floyd hauled in both scoring passes while setting season highs with eight receptions for 153 yards last week but Larry Fitzgerald was limited to two catches while battling knee issues. Kerwynn Williams, signed off the practice squad after starter Andre Ellington was lost for the season in Week 13, has rushed for at least 67 yards in three of his four starts, but a bigger worry is the defense’s inability to control the opposition’s ground game. The Cardinals permitted one team to rush for 100 yards in their first 10 games, but have allowed five of the last six foes have surpassed that total.

The Cardinals were a 20-17 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the 49ers. They covered the +6-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (37) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Team record: 11-5 SU,11-5 ATS
Arizona is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games
Arizona is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
Arizona is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona’s last 7 games

The post Arizona vs. Carolina Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

Arizona at San Francisco
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, December 28, 2014
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: 49ers -6. O/U: 36.5
PREDICTION: 49ers 18, Cardinals 15
Join BetOnline and get up to $1,000 BONUS

Oddsmakers currently have the 49ers listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game’s total is sitting at 37.

Since the head coaching position at the University of Michigan opened up with Brady Hoke’s firing Dec. 2, San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh has dominated the rumor mill. He is reportedly going to meet with 49ers executives to discuss his future in the days after Sunday’s finale, with all signs indicating he will not be back for the fifth and final year of his contract with San Francisco and more signs pointing to a strong connection with Michigan, his alma mater. Sunday might also mark the end of a 49ers career for running back Frank Gore, who is 38 rushing yards shy of his eighth 1,000-yard season in 10 overall with the organization.

Last time out for San Francisco, they were a 38-35 loser as they battled the Chargers at home. The 49ers failed to cover in the match as a -1.5-point favorite, while 73 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Team record: 7-8 SU,5-10 ATS
Current Streak: lost 4 straight games.
San Francisco is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Francisco’s last 6 games
San Francisco is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games at home

Arians had previously indicated that Stanton was “85 percent” for the first postseason game, the franchise’s first since 2009, but he still wanted to see what Thomas could provide as an option going forward. “You got to turn over every stone going into the playoffs,” Arians said on Sirius XM NFL Radio on Tuesday. “It doesn’t have anything to do with how Ryan played last week. I need to find out what Logan can do going into the playoffs.” Thomas has completed 1-of-9 passes on the season, that one completion an 81-yard TD at Denver on Oct. 5.

Last time out for Arizona, they were a 35-6 loser as they battled the Seahawks at home. The Cardinals failed to cover in the match as a +9.5-point underdog, while 41 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Team record: 11-4 SU,10-5 ATS
Arizona is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
Arizona is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona’s last 6 games
Arizona is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games on the road

The post Arizona vs. San Francisco Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

Contract terms were not disclosed by the Cardinals, but sources confirmed to ESPN that the deal is worth $50 million in total. It is guaranteed through 2015 and includes a guaranteed $20.5 million during that span, a source said. The average salary range is between $15.9 million and $16.6 million.

Palmer, who was due to enter free agency after this year, was slated to earn $9 million this season.

CBSSports.com earlier reported terms of the deal.

Palmer, 34, played in the season opener before an injury to his right throwing shoulder forced him to miss the next three games. He returned in Week 6 and is 5-0 this season for the NFL-best Cardinals (7-1).

“Carson has played at an incredibly high level and has been a huge part of the team’s success,” general manager Steve Keim said in a statement. “When you combine his on-field performance with the leadership, stability and professionalism he brings to our team, there was no question that we wanted to extend the relationship and we are excited he felt the same way.”

Palmer joined the Cardinals in 2013 after being acquired in a trade from the Oakland Raiders. Since coming to the Cardinals, Palmer has a 15-6 record in his 21 starts in Arizona, which represents the best record for a modern-era Cardinals QB through his first 21 starts.

After years of individual production, Palmer finally paired it with team success in Arizona. Last season he compiled his first winning record since 2009, and he’s on pace to experience consecutive seasons above .500 for the first time in his career.

Since Week 8 of last year, Palmer has a 12-2 record, the best mark in the NFL over that span, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Palmer has thrown just two interceptions this season — a year after throwing 22 — to accompany 11 touchdowns. He’s the league’s highest-rated quarterback on third down.

His streak of 18 straight games with a touchdown pass currently is tied with the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady for the fourth longest in the NFL, and his run of six consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes is the second longest behind the Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning.

In 142 career starts, Palmer has completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 35,124 yards, 222 touchdowns and 154 interceptions. Last season, he became the first player to throw for 4,000 yards with three different teams.

The post Cards extend Palmer through ’17 appeared first on IdealCapper.

Kolb was set to make a $2 million bonus if he was still on the club’s roster Saturday. He also had a $9 million base salary for this season.

Kolb’s future in Arizona became even cloudier Wednesday when the team agreed to a three-year contract with quarterback Drew Stanton.

Thanks to injuries and his unsteady play, Kolb appeared in just six games with the Cardinals last season, throwing for 1,169 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

Kolb, 28, threw for 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in two seasons with Arizona after being acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a 2007 second-round pick of the Eagles.

Star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, in an interview with ESPN Radio’s “SVP and Russillo” show Thursday, said he has confidence that new coach Bruce Arians would improve the team’s quarterback situation.

The Cardinals, whose offense ranked dead last in the NFL last season, also have tendered an offer to quarterback Brian Hoyer.

The post Cardinals release Kevin Kolb appeared first on IdealCapper.