NFL Record Predictions: Cardinals Fight Tough in Harsh NFC West
To start this off, i’m going to explain what this project actually is. As an avid sports writer and fan, I have went through every NFL teams’s schedule to predict where they will fall in the 2022–23 NFL landscape. I will be releasing these rankings with two teams being released each day. I am releasing the teams in no specific order, but when the rankings are concluded, I will share my playoff predictions based off these standings, in the final article. Our first team we will be examining is the young and high flying Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals head into the 2022–23 season with added stability under center and some more depth at the receiver position. During the first round of the NFL Draft this past April, the Cardinals swung a trade to snag deep threat and former Oklahoma teammate of Kyler Murray, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. The Cardinals sacrificed the #23 overall pick in the draft for the rights to Brown who recorded 91 receptions for 1,008 yards with the run heavy Ravens in 2021. The trade showed the Cardinals continued support of their young quarterback Kyler Murray and gave him the Wide Receiver support he will need, as top tier receiver Deandre Hopkins will begin the season serving a six game suspension for PED use.
This past week the Cardinals inked a content Murray to a 5 year 230.5 Million dollar contract. The contract contains a little more than 100 million in guarantees but contained a controversial clause of 4 hours of film study required per week. If Murray was not able to achieve this clause, his contract could be voided. This clause received backlash on social media and led to the Cardinals revoking the clause, most likely due to the unfavorable light it shined on Murray’s commitment to football.
Murray’s commitment to football shouldn’t be too much of a concern, especially if a team is willing to give him over 100 million in guaranteed cash. Murray has shown to be an exceptional QB in his first few years. Making the Pro Bowl last season while having a 24–10 TD-interception ratio and a 69.2 completion percentage, are not the achievements of a so so NFL Quarterback. Murray even led the Cardinals to an 11–6 record and a playoff berth, while missing 3 games to an ankle injury and being without top pass catcher Deandre Hopkins for multiple games. Murray will have to deal without Hopkins again this season, but there is no reason to say he won’t be able to manage the situation again.
The Cardinals open up their season with a challenging game against the re-vamped Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs come in without former stud Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill who will now be tearing up defenses in Miami. Instead, the Chiefs come in with newly signed receivers, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Chiefs return much of the rest of their squad, with much needed additions in the secondary such as draft pick Trent McDuffie. Patrick Mahomes is still Patrick Mahomes and thus the Chiefs take down Arizona.
Week 2 features a trip to Las Vegas to face the Raiders led by new Head Coach Josh McDaniels. The Raiders now feature a top receiver in Davante Adams and made numerous defensive additions such as former Cardinal, Chandler Jones. The Raiders offense decimates the Cardinals defense through the air and on the ground, while Kyler Murray is constantly forced out of the pocket. The Raiders take down the Cardinals.
The Cardinals head back home to face the defending champion Los Angeles Rams in week 3. The Rams are simply too much, the Cardinals start 0–3.
The Cardinals then travel to face the Baker Mayfield led Panthers in Carolina. The young Carolina defense and offense should be able to give the Cardinals fits but experience should get the Cardinals over the hump. The Cardinals get their first win.
Week 5 brings the Cardinals back home to face what should be an exciting Eagles team. The Eagles now feature WR AJ Brown and added Haasson Reddick, Jordan Davis, and Nakobe Dean on defense. The Eagles defense should be tough but I believe the Cardinals defense should be able to contain an improved Jalen Hurts, while Murray fights for the win.
Week 6 brings the Cardinals to face a Seahawks squad that is in a year of turnover. Whether Drew Lock or Geno Smith is under center, the Cardinals should pick apart a horrendous Seahawks defense and be able to break through a poor Seahawks offensive line. Cardinals are at .500.
The Saints come to town in week 7 with a dangerous receiving core featuring Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Jarvis Landry. The defense also added Tyrann Mathieu who should be a nightmare for Kyler in this game. The defense will decide this game as Jameis Winston won’t be able to handle Budda Baker and Byron Murphy in the Cardinals secondary. The departure of Terron Armstead to Miami will also leave Winston’s blindside vulnerable which will leave JJ Watt to feast. Deandre Hopkins return will also boost the offense. Cardinals win handedly.
A visit to Minnesota is up next and it shouldn’t be that big of a deal for the Cardinals. Kirk Cousins will be on the decline this upcoming season and with few additions they simply aren’t good enough to compete with the Cardinals. Cards win.
Week 9 contains the second game against the Seahawks. The Cardinals now seeing the Seahawks weaknesses for a second time, kill them even worse.
Week 10 the Rams visit Arizona. Now with Hopkins facing Jalen Ramsey instead of Marquise Brown, the Cardinals offense should be able to make more happen. That being said I still think the Rams are just to loaded to get beat headed into the home stretch of the season. Cardinals drop their first game since losing to the Rams in week 3.
The Cardinals finally face the Trey Lance led 49ers in week 11. The 49ers confidence in Lance seems high and an offense containing him should lead the 49ers to be able to do much more. The 49ers defense will also keep this game very competitive. Cardinals just have more offensive weaponry. Cards win a close one.
The Chargers are an elite team after adding JC Jackson, Khalil Mack, and Sebastian Joseph-Day. The Chargers will destroy the Cardinals defense while the new defense will terrorize Kyler Murray. It won’t be close, Chargers win.
After a Bye week the rested Cardinals welcome the New England Patriots. The Patriots will always be competitive under Bill Belichick and Mac Jones should take strides with new additions, Devante Parker and Tyquan Thornton. The Cardinals will be able to take down a now worsened Patriots defense and will win a close one.
Week 15 the Cardinals head to Mile High to face the Broncos. Many are high on the Russell Wilson lead Broncos, but I am not one of them. Wilson will continue his so so performances he had at the end of his Seattle tenure and the Broncos won’t be able to keep up with the fast paced Cardinals. Cards win.
Week 16 Tom Brady enters the desert with a Bucs team that hasn’t been blemished much. Rob Gronkowski is gone but Julio Jones in now there, and the defense had replacements already ready for Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh. The Bucs also come in with an upgrade at head coach after Bruce Arians left the team. It will be close, but Brady is on a mission. Cards lose
Week 17 and 18 feature road trips to Atlanta and San Francisco. Atlanta features rookie Drake London and virtually nothing else at wide receiver, while rookie QB Desmond Ridder will mist likely be getting reps at this point in the season. Nothing points to Atlanta winning this game. The 49ers on the other hand, will defend their house against the jet lagged Cardinals, as they fight for the final playoff spot in the NFC. Shanahan will be able to take at least one game from Kingsbury. The Cardinals ultimately finish 10–7.
This result for the Cardinals ties them for the 6th best team in the NFC and rewards them with a Wild Card spot. The Cards finish with one less win than last season, but I do believe this team is better than last years. The NFL has improved tremendously and even with improvements, matchups with the AFC West and NFC West will hurt the Cardinals record. The Cardinals look poised for a playoff run and I can’t wait to watch this squad take the field week 1!
