Arizona Cardinals: How Their Tough Schedule Plays Out
Jul 29, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) carries the ball as cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals have the 7th toughest schedule this year. Obviously most of that is attributable to their division. The NFC West is the toughest division in football. Oh how times have changed when just a few years ago this division sent a 7-9 team into the playoffs.
I think the Cardinals schedule actually starts OK. If they can pull out the win week one in St. Louis, it will bode well for a best case 4-1 start. Now that you are back in your chair, follow me for a moment. Week one win at Rams and a week two win for the home opener against the Lions starts it right. They probably drop week three at the Saints and could pull out a win next at Tampa Bay. With another home win after that against the Panthers you got 4-1. Then things change.
They could easily lose the next four games, 49ers, Seahawks, Falcons and Texans. I’m optimistic they can pull out two wins with three of the four at home. It will be the Seahawks at home on Thursday NFL Network and either the Falcons or Texans most likely. At San Francisco week six is just too tough. I don’t see them winning there, at least not that early in the season. That puts the Cardinals at 6-3.
A win at Jacksonville and then another close win at home against the Colts will put them at 8-3. An away game at Philly in December typically does not bode well for the Cardinals, loss. A win the next week at home vs. the Rams will put the Cardinals at 9-4 with three more games to go. Dreaming is free, I have decided.
Unfortunately, by now, they have over accomplished and every fan would be stoked for this outcome so they forget to show up week 15 at the Titans. Then Seahawks and 49ers have their way with the Cardinals to end the year. They could still get a wild card at 9-7, but I would sure like their chances more at 10 plus wins. Maybe a week 17 win at home against San Francisco is just the right way to get to 10 wins. Shoot, maybe that situation would even be flexed to Sunday night? One thing I know for sure, I’ll be watching for myself.