Failing to capitalize on a serious alternative will all the time sting, particularly within the sporting world. That was the story for the Arizona Cardinals this previous Sunday. Forward of their Week 12 conflict towards the Seattle Seahawks, the Cardinals have been recent off a bye-week break and a four-game profitable streak. Absolutely recharged, that they had the possibility to place some respiration room between themselves and the remainder of the NFC West. It will’ve been a really perfect time to separate from the pack, contemplating how solely half a dozen video games stay afterward.
Nevertheless, the Cardinals weren’t capable of take advantage of out of their go to to Lumen Area. Shedding in a low-scoring affair (the ultimate rating was 16-6), Arizona now holds a 6-5 file, placing them in a tie with Seattle for the division’s high spot. The loss additionally provides one other blow to the Cardinals’ postseason hopes. At present, NFL.com’s playoff image tasks them to be simply exterior the highest seven convention groups.
Quite a lot of issues simply did not go properly for the Cardinals in Week 12. From O-line struggles to a non-existent run assault — which is one thing Arizona often excels at (140.3 speeding yards per sport) — this all resulted in them being overwhelmed by the Seahawks’ protection. A Coby Bryant pick-six within the third quarter gave Seattle a double-digit lead, and from there, the Seahawks held off the visiting crew for the remainder of the sport.
Does this imply that the Cardinals are in bother? Not fairly. If something, Arizona nonetheless has an excellent likelihood of claiming the NFC West crown and securing that playoff spot. Beneath are the explanation why.
The Cardinals have a manageable schedule shifting ahead
The Minnesota Vikings (9-2) await the Cardinals this coming weekend, in order that’s going to be loads on Jonathan Gannon’s plate. The factor is, Weeks 14 and onward will not be as taxing. Simply have a look at the lined-up opponents. In no explicit order, the final 5 video games embrace rematches with the Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams (5-6) and San Francisco 49ers (5-6) along with non-division clashes towards the New England Patriots (3-9) and the Carolina Panthers (3-8),
This is not to underestimate these groups. In any case, in a gifted league such because the NFL, upsets are sure to occur at instances. However, basing issues on monitor data places loads of favor towards the Cardinals. Along with the Patriots’ regressing protection, they maintain the league’s worst offense. As for the Panthers, they permit opponents a mean of 160.5 speeding yards per sport (a league-worst), so James Conner has an excellent likelihood of displaying out.
Shifting on to the Cardinals’ NFC West rivals, Arizona completely dismantled the Rams again in Week 2 as Kyler Murray threw for 266 yards and three TD passes to spearhead the blowout. LA additionally struggles normally towards the run, as seen in how the Cardinals rushed for a complete of 231 yards that sport. The Week 5 outing towards San Francisco was an in depth name, however the truth that the Cardinals have been capable of rally and edge out their foes implies that they’re able to doing it once more.
And final weekend’s efficiency towards the Seahawks, there have been vivid spots such because the Cardinals’ defensive entrance. Arizona restricted Seattle on the bottom and tallied 5 sacks on Geno Smith. The secondary wasn’t too unhealthy as properly, with Garrett Williams choosing off Smith at one level through the sport. If the Cardinals present the identical quantity of depth whereas boasting their pre-bye week mojo on offense, a rematch win towards Seattle is achievable.
What in regards to the Vikings? One thing to pay attention to is how the Vikings have a comparatively straightforward schedule this season, which probably performs an element of their present file. Plus, three out of Minnesota’s final 4 wins — which have all been towards beneath .500 groups — have had a remaining rating differential of no increased than eight factors. Who is aware of, possibly the Cardinals pull off an upset right here.
A resurging passing sport
Associated Arizona Cardinals InformationArticle continues beneath
As talked about earlier, the Cardinals put up 140.3 speeding yards per sport. This makes them the sixth-best operating crew within the NFL. Whereas the identical cannot be mentioned with their bottom-half-ranked passing assault (201.7 yards per sport), issues have been a lot better these days.
Within the Cardinals’ final 4 video games, Kyler Murray has thrown for a mean of 253 yards on a 72.65% completion fee and a 103.7 passer ranking. His important goal has been Trey McBride, who’s tallied two 100-receiving-yard performances in that very same span. Towards the Miami Dolphins in Week 8, Murray amassed a season-high 307 passing yards, carving up a high 10-ranked Miami move protection that presently permits opponents simply 197.5 yards per sport within the air.
There are nonetheless issues to work on, after all, reminiscent of endzone conversions (Arizona is twenty eighth in passing TD share) and O-line safety. However total, the Cardinals have the potential to shed that one-dimensional label that some have positioned on them.