Arizona Cardinals: How the NFC West could shake out in 2020

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals scrambles away from defensive lineman DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of the NFL football game at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals scrambles away from defensive lineman DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of the NFL football game at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
1 of 5

How good could the Arizona Cardinals be in 2020? By the looks of things in the NFC West, their days as cellar-dwellers could be ending.

It’s still early April, the draft has yet to begin, and playing football at either the collegiate or professional level seems to be anybody’s guess. That said, when looking at how things could play out in 2020, especially in the NFC West, Arizona Cardinals fans should be excited.

Actually, they should be very excited. 5-10-1 is a bit misleading, as they were in more games last season than they were not. They began the 2020 campaign with a 27-27 tie against the Detroit Lions, lost a close one on the road in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens 23-17, and lost at home to the San Francisco 49ers 28-25 in Week 9. Granted, that’s a small sample. However, judging the Cardinals in a year with both a rookie quarterback and head coach isn’t an easy first read.

Kyler Murray showed tremendous promise and progress week to week. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury was better than the NFL pundits initially thought, and if there is any kind of parallel in the sophomore season that Lamar Jackson had in his 2019 MVP season and Murray’s, the balance of power could shift a bit out West.

The division begins with both San Francisco and the Seattle Seahawks. It’s after those two teams where it could get very interesting, as the Los Angeles Rams look to be descending and Arizona likely ascending.

How it shakes out will be an interesting watch. In 2020, it might be the most interesting division in all of football, with the Arizona Cardinals being must-see TV.

Schedule