Bold Prediction: Arizona Cardinals Make the Playoffs
By Scott Allen
Nov 10, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) reacts during the game against the Houston Texans at University of Phoenix Stadium. Arizona won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
You may have heard it here first. I can’t proclaim someone else hasn’t said it already, but at 5-4, the Arizona Cardinals are in a position that is favorable to them at this part of the schedule, having beat some good teams so far. Right now they sit on the outside looking in but in seventh place, right outside the sixth spot.
The Cards do have some tough games left, don’t get me wrong. However the chances are better than not the Cards will still be fighting at the end. Let’s break down what’s left on the schedule and what they have done so far.
Looking real quick at what they have done so far, well, they’ve only beat the 6-3 Carolina Panthers and the 6-3 Detroit Lions. Consider both those wins huge right now especially if comes down to tie-breaker time at the end of the season. The one downfall? The divisional record. The Cards have a chance to improve upon that but it won’t be easy. They are 0-3 in divisional games. It may take a couple of divisional wins down the stretch to get in. It can be done I say.
They have this week at the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville got their win out of the way this past Sunday. I see the Cards pulling off the win. Now, these are the Cards, so don’t expect a blowout. Then next week at home they have the Indianapolis Colts. The way the Colts got demolished at home against the St. Louis Rams, well, I think the Cards have a great chance to win that home game. There is two wins in my opinion.
Then it starts getting tougher. They have to go to Philadelphia, however they are playing very well right now behind quarterback Nick Foles. Arizona has had the Eagles number lately. This is a different Eagles team right now though. Then they come home for the Rams. Anything can happen in that game. For arguments sake, I’ll go ahead and give the Cards the slight edge at home. That being said, we can see the Rams do play well on the road after wins in Houston and Indianapolis.
After the Rams game, they have the Titans and Seahawks on the road. The Titans you just don’t know what you’ll get there either. They lost quarterback Jake Locker for the season. I’m going to just count the Cards trip to Seattle as a loss. It just won’t happen there for them.
Then the Cards end the season, at home, against the San Francisco 49ers. They should be 8-7 or 9-6. Notice I said should. Again these are the Cards. This game could be for that sixth and final spot. Stay tuned. Right now my prediction though is they finish 10-6 and get in over the either the Lions or Panthers. One of them will fail, thanks to the loss to the Cards and the other will get in. Should be a fun final seven weeks.