The Arizona Cardinals are 1-8, but it doesn’t mean we can’t have fun and get bold in projecting the back half of their 2023 season. Arizona may have struggled through its first nine games, but who knows what their record would look like if they had a quarterback with Kyler Murray’s potential lining up under center?
Now that Murray is returning, he will single handedly make the Redbirds entire offense better, even if the starting line could be shaky this Sunday vs. the Atlanta Falcons. But Murray isn’t the only one we are getting bold about as one rookie has caught our eye, along with one impressive unit on defense.
3 bold predictions for the Arizona Cardinals final eight games
1 - Kyler Murray throws for 12 touchdowns, rushes for another 4
Since there are no setbacks that we are aware of, it looks like franchise quarterback Kyler Murray will make his triumphant return at a time when the Arizona Cardinals need him the most. But with an offense tailored around the fifth-year pro’s skill-set, chances are we'll see what coordinator Drew Petzing has in store starting this week.
This means that opposing defensive coordinators will have a tough time initially figuring out the finer points of the new look since there is no way Petzing revealed all of it with Joshua Dobbs or Clayton Tune struggling under center. That will start vs. Atlanta, but don’t expect Murray to find his stride until roughly Weeks 11 or 12, and he will enjoy a solid last few games of the season, including picking up a few scores on the ground.
By the time Week 18 comes to a close, the Cards will see enough from Murray to know that he will be the starter for next season. Regardless of where they are picking in the draft, don’t be surprised if the Cards roll with a pair of players on offense to place around the signal-caller.
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2 - Michael Wilson becomes the Cardinals rookie MVP
Per the Arizona Cardinals injury report, Michael Wilson was limited in practice this week, but he’s shown more than enough playmaking ability to be in the hunt to be the team’s most valuable rookie. Wilson currently has a 75.8 catch percentage, and a strong-armed quarterback like Murray should give him even more targets once they are both back on the field.
Murray also won’t be afraid to put the ball up there and allow the deep threat in Wilson to take part in a jump ball scenario, which could inflate the rookie’s numbers. In just seven games, Wilson has 25 catches, 401 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 16.0 yards per reception, and if he doubles that, it shouldn’t surprise anyone.
But let’s take it a step further and state that with Murray throwing the ball Wilson will, in at least seven games, average five catches and 75 yards per contest, giving him another 35 catches and 535 receiving yards, plus another pair of touchdowns. If that happens, it’s safe to say Wilson’s rookie year was a resounding success, much of it thanks to Murray.
3 - Cards finish the year with 45 sacks
The Arizona Cardinals pass rush has been one of a few major surprises this season, and with 25 sacks through nine games, snagging 45 is a lofty but manageable target to hit. But it’s also an average of 2.5 sacks per game, so the Cards will need to put up a few unforgettable performances in the sack department between now and Week 18.
The talent has been there all season, with Dennis Gardeck, Victor Dimukeje, and Zaven Collins leading the way. Arizona may also be facing some weaker quarterbacks in the upcoming weeks, like Taylor Heinicke, Kenny Pickett, possibly Tyson Bagent or Justin Fields, and perhaps even Carson Wentz if Matthew Stafford can’t go.
But the Cards will also play C.J. Stroud, Jalen Hurts, and Geno Smith, so they will have their work cut out for them. If they can finish with 45 sacks, the Redbirds could be one sound EDGE rusher away from becoming an elite unit at the position.
(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)