Week 8 win could lead to exciting 48 hours for the Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
An Arizona Cardinals victory this coming Sunday could make those final two days leading up to the trade deadline very exciting.
For the past three years, Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has orchestrated deals for significant players at the NFL’s trade deadline. Running back Kenyan Drake arrived in 2019, edge-rusher Markus Golden was acquired in 2020 and tight end Zach Ertz was obtained last year.
Don’t look now, but this season’s deadline is now less than a week away. The official date is November 1st, a mere 48 hours after the Cards take on the Minnesota Vikings in a crucial Week 8 matchup. What Keim attempts to pull off by next Tuesday could very well be determined by whether the team can emerge victorious against a 5-1 Vikings squad.
A Cardinals triumph over Minnesota will not come easy. The Vikes have an abundance of offensive firepower, which primarily revolves around stud wideout Justin Jefferson. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver Adam Thielen are also talented contributors.
The Vikings defense has gifted components as well. Linebackers Jordan Hicks and Eric Kendricks are the club’s leading tacklers. Veterans Harrison Smith and Danielle Hunter are still performing at a high level, while defensive end Za’Darius Smith is among the league’s leaders in sacks.
Sunday’s result could determine what Arizona Cardinals do at trade deadline
Arizona, despite it’s 3-4 record, is still very much in the thick of the NFC Western division race. A win over Minnesota would be the Redbirds’ most impressive victory to date. What type of acquisition could the “Red Sea” look forward to if head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s crew manages to pull off an upset?
On Wednesday, the Cards missed out on pass-rusher Robert Quinn. The three-time Pro Bowler is heading to the Philadelphia Eagles for the measly price of a fourth-round draft pick. There are other edge-rushers who Keim can pursue, however.
One of the more popular names out there is Bradley Chubb, a 26-year-old who has notched 5.5 sacks in seven starts for the Denver Broncos this fall. Another sack-specialist who the Cardinals can target is Jerry Hughes, a 6 foot 2, 245 pounder who has tallied four sacks for the Houston Texans this season.
Another player who’d be a tremendous addition to the Arizona defense is Daron Payne, a 25-year old nose tackle from the Washington Commanders. One more individual who’s worth keeping an eye on is Shaq Thompson, a 28-year old who’s been an absolute tackling machine for the Carolina Panthers.
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Will Keim look to keep his streak going by making a trade-deadline deal for the fourth year in a row? Rest assured, the Cards GM will be eagerly working the phones if this coming weekend’s road trip to Minnesota ends in success.
(Statistics provided by Pro Football Reference)