Before the Arizona Cardinals preseason winds up, let’s get in one last prediction on how their season will go.
With Kyler Murray sitting out the preseason, the evaluation of how he’ll do with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown will have to wait until September 11th and onward. Will they be able to replace DeAndre Hopkins? And if they do, what does that mean for Hopkins?
Here’s the entire schedule and my final predictions of how the 2022 regular season will go.
Let’s get right into the Arizona Cardinals 2022 schedule:
Week 1 vs. Chiefs: Loss
This could be another opening week shootout, just like how the 2016 game against the New Orleans Saints ended up going. That was a 48-41 barnburner the Cardinals lost. I don’t see them outdueling Patrick Mahomes who is currently atmospheres above Kyler Murray.
Arizona’s corners will get melted like the old bleachers at Sun Devil Stadium in August for a noon kickoff. Defensively it won’t be pretty.
Record: 0-1
Week 2 @ Raiders: Win
The Raiders have some skilled players, and that’s indisputable. But will Davante Adams be good without Aaron Rodgers for the first time in his career? The Raiders’ running game isn’t very functional, so this makes for another potential shootout.
The Cardinals should win this game, and no, Chandler Jones will not have a sack. It’s okay to move on from him.
Record: 1-1
Week 3 vs Rams: Arizona Cardinals win in dramatic fashion
This game could decide the Cardinals’ season. If they win, they may be taken seriously by the league. If not, then it’s just the same old “Sean McVay is boss” garbage that’s so annoying to hear (sadly it’s true and we can’t do anything about it).
But this game being in Arizona this early has a huge chance to play off the fanbase’s loathing of their flashy neighbors to the west. Rondale Moore scores the winning touchdown with 1:37 to go.
Record: 2-1
Week 4 @ Panthers: Win
It’s a blowout win for the Cardinals. 47-6. Party on!
Record: 3-1
Week 5 vs Eagles: Loss
The Eagles are the epitome of a team that won’t go away- and at least they looked better going into the playoffs than the Cardinals did. There could be some controversial play that doesn’t go in Arizona’s favor.
Record: 3-2
Week 6 @ Seahawks: Win
If the Cardinals lose to these pee-wee Seahawks, then there is something seriously wrong.
Record: 4-2
Week 7 vs. Saints: Loss
Jarvis Landry, Chris Olave, and Michael Thomas. That is a nightmare matchup for this cornerbacks group that no one should be excited for. Yes, Jameis Winston is their quarterback but he was playing a good clip before he went down last season.
Cardinals lose a close one.
Record: 4-3
Week 8 @ Vikings: Win
It’s time to embarrass Patrick Peterson and win big. Plus, it’s Kirk Cousins. Arizona’s winning this game.
Record: 5-3
Week 9 vs. Seahawks: Win
Arizona builds a winning (not a losing one) streak at home against the “1.2’s”.
Record: 6-3
Week 10 @ Rams: Loss
The Rams return fire and their fans will be absolutely bonkers after kicking the Cardinals’ butts in the wildcard game last season. It’s hard to beat a divisional team twice, and that rings true here.
Record: 6-4
Week 11 @ Mexico City vs 49ers: Win
The 49ers are always pesky, but Trey Lance will have nightmares of Isaiah Simmons stonewalling him once again in this game. Cardinals get a much-needed win.
Record: 7-4
Week 12 vs. Chargers: Win
This could be another shootout, but Brandon Staley will get all weird with the analytics and ice his own kicker or something weird that’ll cost the Chargers the game. Arizona gets lucky and beats the “other” L.A.
Record: 8-4
ARIZONA CARDINALS BYE WEEK: WEEK 13
Week 14 vs Patriots: Win
Look, I still want revenge from 2016 when the Cardinals dropped an inexplicable game to the then-hardly known Jimmy Garoppolo and wasted Larry Fitzgerald’s 100th career touchdown catch.
Record: 9-4
Week 15 @ Broncos: Win
It’s time Russell Wilson knows that his days of bullying the Cardinals are over for good. While it’ll be a close game, the Cardinals get their third-straight win.
Record: 10-4
Week 16 vs. Buccaneers: Loss
The Arizona Cardinals aren’t beating Tom Brady. Another deadly matchup to defend with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin /
Reocrd: 10-5
Week 17 @ Falcons: Win
This will be easy. Big win.
Record: 11-5
Week 18 @ 49ers: Win
The Cardinals use backups to rest their starters for the playoffs and still get the victory. The Arizona Cardinals finish the regular season 12-5.