Five Things to Hate About the 2014 Arizona Cardinals

Aug 22, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive back DeShawn Shead (35) and Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane (20) and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) celebrate after Lane intercepted the ball in the Chicago Bears end zone during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

2. The Schedule

The simple fact is that the Cardinals face a tough slate of opponents this season.

Playing in the NFC West, which most would agree is the most stacked division in football, is where it starts. The Cards will have to play the defending champion Seahawks twice, as well as the 49ers. The teams in the West play very physical ball, and Arizona has to consistently play that way as well. Until Sam Bradford tore his ACL, it was totally plausible that all four of the teams in that division would have winning records.

In addition, Arizona will face Denver on their home turf. They also have to fend off other rising teams like the Chargers and Lions. If teams like Dallas or Washington have good years, that poses another challenge. The Cardinals are, through no fault of their own, in rather unfavorable circumstances this season.

To the Cardinals credit, last year was no picnic, and they managed to win ten games. This team can pull itself through tough challenges. The real questions is whether that was dumb luck or a result Arizona can build upon.