Arizona Cardinals Competition Starts Getting Better
By Scott Allen
Nov 17, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Ace Sanders (18) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the second half of the game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals have enjoyed what has reasonably been considered a pretty easy schedule the past month. They got Atlanta at home. Then they got a bye. Then Houston came rolling into Glendale and just this past Sunday the Cards got a road victory in Jacksonville. Now, we get to see what the Cards are really made of.
Sure, the Cards are the last team to beat the Carolina Panthers. Sure, they beat the Detroit Lions. Both are wins they definitely will want in their back pocket come tie-breaking time at the end of the season. However, this week the Indianapolis Colts come calling. Then they are off on the road to play the Philadelphia Eagles. Then three of their last four games are against the NFC West, where they are 0-3 so far this season.
You can only play who you are scheduled though. Can’t blame the Cards. In fact Atlanta and Houston seemed to be very tough opponents when the season started. I think it is reasonable to say the Cards can finish at least 9-7 now given the remaining schedule.
There seemed to be some debate the past couple of days about quarterback Carson Palmer’s performance as well. Was it a by-product of who the Cards played? Maybe. Again though, the numbers don’t lie. It is still the NFL and any team can beat any other on any given Sunday. That’s why I’m a little weary of a 2 and a half point favorite the Cards are over the Colts this weekend. I’ll take it but the Cards must remain focused.