We know who the Arizona Cardinals will face in 2024 and soon enough, we will find out when. The NFL schedule will be released this month and the Cardinals are going to have to face some tough competition, despite finishing in last place of the NFC West last season. The front office for Arizona has had a solid offseason through free agency and the NFL Draft. On paper, this is a new look Cardinals team but nothing matters until there is production on the field.
The Cardinals finished 4-13 last year but did not have Kyler Murray for half of the season. Based on their opponents in 2024, the Cardinals will be facing (other than the NFC West), the AFC East, NFC North, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers.
Here are the five worst case scenarios for the Arizona Cardinals.
4.) The bye week happens sooner than later
No matter how great a team is playing, rest is one of the biggest keys for success down the stretch. Injuries happen, as does fatigue with a team. There will be high motivation to perform the best early on because there has been so much buildup to the season. With that, the Cardinals are going to need some rest at a certain point. Getting a bye week later is better early on than later in the season. While you do not want a super early bye week, it is better than having one in late November/early December.
3.) Playing rookie QBs later than sooner
Four of the top five drafted quarterbacks will take on the Cardinals. When it comes to Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, it is almost safe to say that they will be Day 1 starters for the Bears and Commanders. They were the first two picks in the NFL Draft and there is no other viable option for both teams to start over them. For J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings and Drake Maye with New England, there is an expectation that they would start from the beginning. The only thing is that they have quality backups who could be a bridge quarterback to start off the season.
Either way, there is a high possibility that the Cardinals take on four rookie quarterbacks this year. Despite the talent that they all bring, the Cardinals need to hope that they face them sooner than later. Rookie quarterbacks always struggle early on. While they can find success and impress, they also struggle heavily. The Cardinals played tough last year and they will now be looking to bring massive pressure on the young quarterbacks. If the Cardinals face these rookies later on, they will be at a disadvantage because the rookies will have some experience underneath their belts and can look to improve their games against Arizona.
2.) Starting off the season against San Francisco 49ers
Starting the season with a division rival is not a problem, unless that rival has something to prove based on how their season ended last season. The San Francisco 49ers are the defending NFC champs but are coming off an overtime Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It is the second time since the 2019 season where they have lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. There is no doubt that San Francisco is looking to take what they want and they will be looking to get off to a red hot start like they did last season.
If the Cardinals find themselves in their pathway to start the season, it could be big trouble for Arizona. While the Cardinals took a big step forward this offseason, they are not in a position to prove what they can do against a highly talented team like the 49ers. Arizona needs to hope that they are going up against an opponent that can give them a confident boost to start off the season.
1.) Cardinals play two games in cold weather
There is a debate of whether it is better to play in super hot weather or in freezing temperatures. Teams like the Miami Dolphins have an advantage when they host teams who are built for cold weather like the Buffalo Bills. However, there is a massive disadvantage when warm weather teams head to the cold, like the Dolphins did when they took on the Chiefs in one of the coldest games in history in the playoffs last season. The Cardinals are set up to take on two cold weather teams on the road and that could be trouble for them if it takes place in November/December time.
Arizona will take on the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers on the road and they had better hope it is not in the cold. We all know how cold it can get in Western New York and in Green Bay. Not to mention, they will have to try and stop Josh Allen and Jordan Love. Playing in the cold is never easy and teams that are not used to playing it do not have the best success.