Palmer’s Injury History Casts Glare On Home Record
By:
Zack Cimini |
Friday, September 18, 2015
Palmer’s Injury History Casts Glare On Home Record
By Zack Cimini
Injuries
have caused havoc already on the young 2015 season. At the quarterback position down in Arizona
they’re hoping they can prevent an injury from occurring yet again.
Backups have found their way onto
the field frequently in Arizona by the likes of Ryan Lindley, John Skelton, Max
Hall, and countless others. After the 2012 season, Carson Palmer was brought in
via trade to alleviate poor play at quarterback.
In the 2013 season the Cardinals
found themselves as the odd man out of a strong NFC conference finishing 10-6
but still missing the playoffs. Last year they were on a roll until Carson
Palmer went down for the season against the St. Louis Rams in November.
Palmer and the Cardinals have been
a difficult team for the NFL to figure out along with odds-makers. They’re
offense does not have a balanced rushing attack. In 2014 as a team they ranked
31st in the NFL in rushing and in 2013 they ranked 23rd.
This season will likely be no different with Andre Ellington already dealing
with an injury sustained in week one.
Yet at home under Carson Palmer the
Arizona Cardinals have compiled an outstanding record of 10-2. Their home field
advantage has been underrated for years since moving to University of Phoenix
stadium but under Palmer it has escalated even more.
The fact that Palmer has had two
separate injuries as a Cardinal has cast a glare over the presence he has on
the team. Maybe it’s because Palmer is aging at 35 years old and the injury bug
has frequently hit him. Whatever the case it’s time to stop over-looking the
Cardinals value at home with Palmer under center.
ATS under Palmer they’ve been 8-4
at home but have only been favored by 4.5 points or more once in that duration.
With Palmer under center in 2013 and
2014 they were underdogs in games against Philadelphia, Detroit, and the
Carolina Panthers---winning them all. Their only two losses under Palmer at
home occurred in 2013 against division-rivals in the 49ers and Seahawks which
were top-tier teams.
The money-line value has been
miniscule compared to other dominant home teams throughout the NFL.
A lot of credit of course goes to Bruce Arians
and former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Arians passing attack had team’s
off-balance in Indianapolis and he has done a masterful job of carrying that
over in Arizona.
Seattle has reigned supreme in a
talented division of the NFC West. But with a healthy Carson Palmer the red-sea
of Cardinals fans may finally bump out the 12th man crowd of Seattle
as best home team. Keep a keen eye on week-to-week lines on Arizona especially
for their home games.