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2020 Arizona Cardinals: 3 previous similar teams

By Scott Allen

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals passes the ball during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals passes the ball during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA – NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Kurt Warner #13 of the Arizona Cardinals calls signals at the line of scrimmage during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 27, 2008 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles won 48-20. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Kurt Warner #13 of the Arizona Cardinals calls signals at the line of scrimmage during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 27, 2008 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles won 48-20. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

2008 Arizona Cardinals

With head coach Ken Whisenhunt in the fold but with also Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart dueling it out for the starting quarterback job, no one knew quite what to expect.  However given the schedule and the way the Cardinals were playing early in the season, things quickly got exciting on the offensive side of the ball.

After going 8-8 in 2007, naturally many expected an even better 2008.  Warner got the full-time job behind center.  The defense was shaky at best, something that still holds true going into the 2020 season.

The expectations where there nonetheless.  The 2008 Cardinals were all over the place though.  They were 7-3 at one point in mid-November.  Then they proceeded to get blown out by 28, 21, and 40 points in three of their final five games.

They still secured a 9-7 record and NFC West Championship however.  Then the magical playoff run to the Super Bowl.

Again, there is no expectation the 2020 Cardinals do the same but the makeup of the team is quite similar.  There is an explosive offense with a defense that still has a lot to prove.

Next. Cardinals hope pass rush improves in 2020. dark

That team was a little older and more experienced though, so we should all tread rather lightly with any playoff expectations.  It can happen and we can hope it does but those predicting 13-3 or 12-4 seasons may want to just take a closer look at what the Cardinals have right now and how history has treated prior expectations.

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