Predictions, Picks, and Plenty of Mistakes: Arizona Cardinals

The NFL season is supposed to go as scheduled, but a lot could still change during this pandemic. I’m gonna be optimistic, though, so I’m making super early predictions for the records of all of the NFL teams.

I’m starting with the Cardinals, and I’m gonna work my way through all the teams. Then, I’ll try to predict the playoffs.

If you want to yell at me about these predictions, leave a comment below!

Some disclaimers:

• There are no ties in my predictions. I hate ties.

• Each person can only win one award. I don’t want Chase Young winning three awards when I get to the Redskins.

With that said, let’s get to the Cardinals season!

Schedule

• Week 1 – Loss (0-1) @ 49ers

• Week 2 – Win (1-1) vs Redskins

• Week 3 – Win (2-1) vs Lions

• Week 4 – Loss (2-2) @ Panthers

• Week 5 – Win (3-2) @ Jets

• Week 6 – Win (4-2) @ Cowboys

• Week 7 – Win (5-2) vs Seahawks

• Week 8 – BYE

• Week 9 – Win (6-2) vs Dolphins

• Week 10 – Loss (6-3) vs Bills

• Week 11 – Loss (6-4) @ Seahawks

• Week 12 – Win (7-4) @ Patriots

• Week 13 – Win (8-4) vs Rams

• Week 14 – Loss (8-5) @ Giants

• Week 15 – Loss (8-6) vs Eagles

• Week 16 – Loss (8-7) vs 49ers

• Week 17 – Win (9-7) @ Rams

Best Win

The Cardinals are going to need a statement win to establish themselves, and I think they get that in Week 6 against the Cowboys. The Cowboys are shaping up to be a really good team this year with the addition of guys like CeeDee Lamb, who’s a stud. However, the Cardinals have a pretty good receiver of their own, and I think this is the game that puts the league on notice. Kyler and his crew are gonna go into Dallas and beat a top-tier Cowboys team.

Worst Loss

The NFC East giveth, the NFC East taketh away. The Cardinals are still a young team, and they will most likely drop a game that they should easily win. I think they’ll do this in Week 14 in New York against the Giants. The Giants are also a young team with upside, and I think they show it in this game. The Cardinals also make a lot of mistakes, and they drop this game, which spurs a losing streak.

Team MVP

I think Kyler Murray takes a big leap forward, and he would be a good choice for the team’s MVP. This award goes to DeAndre Hopkins, though. If the Cardinals finish with a winning record, Nuk is gonna go off. He’ll re-assert himself as the best receiver in football, and he’ll put this team on his back.

Offensive Player of the Year

Kyler Murray couldn’t win MVP, but he’s gonna be the second-best offensive player on this team. He’ll take a big leap forward, and he’ll compete with another player for the title of best sophomore quarterback (more on that in another post). Dude’s a stud, plain and simple.

Defensive Player of the Year

I considered Chandler Jones here, and he’s gonna have a monster year. However, I think the Cardinals’ best defensive player is gonna be Budda Baker. I think he’s one of the best safeties in the league, and he’s gonna blow up this year. As the offense grows, more of the burden is taken off of the defense. Therefore, the defense is gonna get better, and Baker will be at the forefront of that.

Rookie of the Year

This award goes to Isaiah Simmons. There’s no other choice here that makes any sense.

Season Outlook

The Cardinals will have improved greatly from last year. Getting the best receiver in football for a bag of stale chips will do that for you. They’ll have a four game winning streak midseason, and they should be able to hang with a lot of teams. However, they are still a very young team, and they show that when they stumble to the finish line at the end of the season with a three game losing streak. They won’t make the playoffs this year, but look for them to make a solid run next year, especially with a good offseason.