Mapping out an Arizona Cardinals division championship
By Jim Koch
It will take a lot of good football and even more luck but the Arizona Cardinals can still emerge with a division championship
Even the most loyal fans of the Arizona Cardinals would have to admit that it’s probably a longshot. Outlasting the Seattle Seahawks for the division championship would be no easy feat. But this article will serve as a formula to show how it can be accomplished.
Admittedly, it’s an optimistic slant. And the Cardinals really haven’t given their fans much to be optimistic about this year. But, if possible, please suspend belief for the sake of the article.
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers have been discounted from this fantasy. As long as Jeff Fisher remains the head coach in Los Angeles, it’s difficult to imagine them succeeding. And San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly may be the biggest fraud in the NFL.
So let’s concentrate on our beloved Cardinals and that team from the Pacific Northwest, the Seahawks. Here’s a breakdown of the remaining schedule.
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Week 9- No game this week for Bruce Arians’ squad, as a much-needed bye week has arrived. Seattle’s opponent this week, the Buffalo Bills, are unlikely to help Arizona’s cause on Monday night. Pete Carroll’s boys should extend their division lead by two games in a closer than expected contest.
Week 10- The Cards should be able to crawl back to within one game after the tenth week. They demolish the 49ers, boosting their confidence in the process. Seattle is defeated by this season’s eventual Super Bowl champs, the New England Patriots, in New England.
Week 11- Most will see a loss at the Minnesota Vikings for the Cards. But the Vikes’ lack of offense allows Arizona to win a low-scoring, defensive battle. The Seahawks handle the talented Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles at home.
Week 12- Wide receiver Julio Jones continues his mastery of Patrick Peterson and the Atlanta Falcons’ offense proves to be too much. The Seahawks trounce the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida, once again extending their division lead to two games.
Week 13- The Cardinals struggle but get by the Washington Redskins. Kirk Cousins and his decent group of pass-catchers almost emerge victorious, but Carson Palmer wins the duel. Seattle cooperates by losing a home game to a re-energized Carolina Panthers crew.
Week 14- Another east coast game appears on the schedule. And once again Arizona is affected, going down to the mediocre Miami Dolphins. But the Seahawks also succumb on the road, losing to the Green Bay Packers at historic Lambeau Field.
Week 15- The Cardinals are able to overcome Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints at home in a shootout. Seattle struggles with Los Angeles but is able to get by the team that historically gives them trouble.
Week 16- D-day arrives. Anything that has happened up until this point most likely becomes meaningless if Arizona fails to win this one in Seattle. But they make right their tie against them in the desert and gain the tie-breaker advantage with a victory.
Week 17- Both teams achieve division wins on the road. The Cards win in Los Angeles, while Seattle defeats San Francisco.
There you have it. The final tally reads nine wins, six losses and a tie for both franchises. It goes to the first tiebreaker and Arizona takes the division thanks to their win in Seattle the week before!
It’s a very rose-colored look at the final nine weeks Cards’ fans. But what is life without some positive thinking? Now, if only our Cardinals can make this come to fruition.