Raising Zona
FanSided

Arizona Cardinals: NFC West one and done in playoffs

By Scott Allen

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 03: Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes the football past linebacker Josh Bynes #57 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 03: Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes the football past linebacker Josh Bynes #57 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

After the Los Angeles Rams loss on Saturday, the Arizona Cardinals and rest of the NFC West are done in 2017, look forward to 2018

The NFC West could become one of if not the best divisions in the football next season.  The Arizona Cardinals will likely see stiff competition from all three rivals in 2018.

The Los Angeles Rams were one-and-done with a loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday night in their 26-13 loss in the wild-card game.  The Rams are just getting started.

The San Francisco 49ers won their last five games of the season.  They, along with the Cardinals, defeated the AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars.  Oh, and they have a guy named Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback.

The Seattle Seahawks will still have Russell Wilson.  Coach Pete Carroll has already quashed rumors of any possible retirement.  There is a bit of a mess on the defensive side of things.  Linebacker Michael Bennett believes he is done in Seattle.

The Seahawks also have a running game to resolve.  Then again, the Cardinals have a passing game to solve.  Maybe the NFC West has turned itself upside down?

The Cardinals will re-tool, not re-build.  Re-build means they are starting from scratch with everything.  They aren’t.  There will be plenty of offensive and defensive talent coming back.

There will be changes though.  Coach and quarterback changes will be the biggest moves. Those will likely dictate how everything else goes.

More from Raising Zona

The Rams aren’t going anywhere though.  This wasn’t a fluke season by them.  Not as long as they have Jared Goff at quarterback, Todd Burley at running back, and Sean McVay as their head coach.

They learned some things I’m sure with making the playoffs for the first time since 2004.  McVay said his team looked like a “deer in headlights” against the Falcons.  That won’t happen again either.

The Cardinals went 3-3 against the NFC West in 2017 but two of those wins came against pre-Garoppolo 49’ers.  They did of course continue their winning ways in Seattle.

It would seem right now it is the Rams the Cardinals need to figure out.  They went 1-1 against them in 2015, 2016, and 0-2 in 2017.  Not a good stretch for the Cardinals there.

So, even thought the NFC West was one and done in the playoffs in 2017, look for all four teams to take their shots at the playoffs next season.  No longer the doormat of the NFL.  These are exciting times.

Home/Cardinals News