So the Cardinals are in first in the NFC West. For only that reason, we’re gonna do this straight.
Cards were on bye last weekend (is that when I was supposed to write this? Schedule says, yes.) and maintained their lead in the NFC West. With Buddah Baker leading the defense, head coach Jonathan Gannon keeping everyone all dialed in, and potential Comeback Player of the Year Candidate, Kyler Murrary, generally looking to have finally turned the corner, there is real talk about NFC West Division championship for the redbirds.
Here’s how it has played out so far.
Look, you can’t hold a team’s schedule against them but watch me. The Cardinals met RAMMIT (everyone dead), SF (many dead), and Miami (Tua return game) at good times. I don’t really get what the win over CHI means. You’ll note their two games against the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Was-Savages were heavy losses. I think I alluded to this in my season preview.
But this team is tough. And if there ever was a season for this franchise to re-realize its late-season overperforming Buzzsaw moniker, this year is the perfect opportunity.
The Cards are where they like to exist — hope. They’ve got a Year 2 HC bump plus Murray seemingly in a good mood these days. There’s no expectation that this team will be dangerous in the playoffs or make a Super Bowl run this year. And that’s with respect for the defense that Gannon puts on the field. They can play slow games (as shown with LAC) and James Connor has been a workhorse. My neighbor has season tickets and he has some renewed hope that I am excited to see fall apart at any moment.
2024 Prediction: Pretty good out of division schedule to close out. Plus both SEA games and rematches against [potentially] healthy LAR and SF to finish the year. Bottom-line, the division records are going to look pretty dismal in the NFC West and, if you like Control-Your-Own-Destiny Football, that’s the 2024 Cardinals. Gannon did not make the post-season last year. The 2024 Arizona Cardinals seem like a good pick for “Division Champion That Loses At Home to Hot WC Team” in the playoffs.
And does this bring pleasure to birthright owner, Michael Bidwill?
Regardless, the Cardinals aren’t going to win a championship (just like every single other year) and should move to Utah.
