3 reasons why the Cardinals will surprise critics in the playoffs

(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) Kyler Murray
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) Kyler Murray /
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Arizona Cardinals
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) James Conner /

Arizona plays to their competition

This team lost to the Lions, Seattle Seahawks, and the Carolina Panthers. For many, it’s a harbinger of what may come. The problem is, the Cardinals aren’t facing the aforementioned teams in the playoffs.

Instead, they’re facing the Rams on Monday, a team they manhandled in Week 4. At one point in the game, the Cardinals led 37-13 before allowing a touchdown in garbage time. They also held the Cowboys to just 22 points, a team that scored 50-plus points in Weeks 16 and 17. They beat the AFC’s best team 38-13 in Week 1.

So who cares about silly blowout losses to teams who will be watching TV this coming weekend? There’s a reason the Cardinals are in the postseason, and the others ain’t; the Cardinals hung with the best teams in football and, in many cases, beat the best teams in football.

It’s also worth noting they nearly beat the Green Bay Packers at home in Week 8. Had A.J. Green turned around, they very well may have. That said, there is no one in the NFL playoffs the Cardinals can’t beat.