Brutal Schedule Awaits Arizona Cardinals in Next Four Games

Sept. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; An Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders performs on the field during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 27 – 6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE

One of the reasons why it was so important for the Arizona Cardinals to win their last two games which they unfortunately lost (games that seemed on paper to be winnable games) was that the Cardinals will be facing a brutal stretch of games against their next four opponents.

Facing the Cardinals next will be the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, and Atlanta Falcons.  To top it off, three of those four games will be away games for Big Red.

I think that these four games will be the defining moment for the Cardinals season.  It could be the beginning of the end (it would not shock me if the Cardinals lost all four games–and played themselves out of playoff contention).  Or it could be that this surprising and unpredictable team rises to the occasion and wins two, three, maybe even four of these games with stellar defense and a focused offense that plays to their strengths.

One thing is for certain — unlike some of the other games the Cardinals have won, I don’t think the team can count on getting lucky and pulling out a victory from the jaws of defeat.  These four teams are all very solid and don’t make many mistakes.  The Cardinals will have to bring their A game each week if they are going to win these games.