Arizona Cardinals aim to stay afloat until DeAndre Hopkins returns

The Arizona Cardinals are hoping to keep their heads above water until wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins comes back in Week 7. 

Ever since the NFL announced back in May that DeAndre Hopkins would serve a six-game suspension, the Arizona Cardinals basically had one goal. Win three or four games while the star wide receiver makes amends for his indiscretion, and then go on a roll when Hopkins gets back on the field with his Cardinals teammates in Week 7.

The Cards appear to be on the verge of accomplishing that very goal. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s squad has compiled a record of 2-2 through the first four weeks, and have a fairly decent chance of posting one or two more victories before Hopkins makes his return.

Arizona’s matchup this weekend with the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles will be quite a challenge. The team will more than likely have to turn in a flawless performance to come out on top, but it’s not as if the Redbirds have no chance of upsetting Philly.

The Arizona Cardinals could be in an outstanding spot when DeAndre Hopkins returns

If the Cardinals plan on defeating the Eagles, the slow starts that the club has become so accustomed to must come to an end. Falling behind during this weekend’s matchup at State Farm Stadium could create a hole that quarterback Kyler Murray could struggle to dig out of.

Things should be much easier in Week 6 when the Cards head north to take on the Seattle Seahawks. Nine-time Pro Bowl signal-caller Russell Wilson is no longer leading Seattle’s offense, thanks to a trade this past offseason that sent the 33-year old to the Denver Broncos.

Taking over for Wilson is Geno Smith, a journeyman passer who joined the Seahawks back in 2020. The 31-year old has held his own during the first quarter of the campaign, but Arizona has enough talent on defense to make life miserable for the erratic Smith.

Posting a 4-2 record without the services of the magnificent Hopkins would be quite an accomplishment. The Cardinals are just two triumphs away from making that unlikely scenario a reality.