While their roster could be better on paper, the Arizona Cardinals should still be an interesting and competitive team in a tough NFC West division heading into 2024.
With the fourth overall pick, they drafted their franchise wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and addressed their other needs like defense, offensive line, and depth at their skill positions in the 2024 Draft.
Even with a depleted roster under first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon in 2023, the Cardinals found a way to win four games without their starting quarterback till the middle of the year.
Now with quarterback Kyler Murray a year removed from his season-ending injury, fully healthy this offseason, that alone should make a major difference in their 2024 win total.
I would expect Arizona to be fun to watch at least on offense, while their young defense will eventually improve in another year in Gannon’s scheme.
Arizona Cardinals: Easiest Stretch
The games after their bye week are the easiest part for the Arizona Cardinals by far. That includes two games against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12 and 14, with a game against the Vikings in Minnesota for Week 13. Week 15 and 16 are against the Patriots in Arizona and away against the Panthers in Bank of America Stadium, two games where Arizona could be the favorites.
The Cardinals need to find a way to at least split against the Seahawks and should be even or the favorites, especially against the New England in their building and Carolina. Winning three or four out of these five weeks will be key for Arizona to even sniff a wildcard conversation and could be where they find a potential win streak in 2024.
Arizona Cardinals: Toughest Stretch
From Week 5 against the 49ers in San Francisco and onward before their Week 11 bye, things get rough for the Arizona Cardinals. In Week 6, they travel to Green Bay at Lambeau Field against the Packers, to then come back home to face the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium in Week 7 finally back on prime time.
After that in Week 8, the Cardinals go to Miami to play the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium and come back home for two games before their bye week. Weeks 9 and 10 are games against the new-look Chicago Bears and New York Jets, both teams seeking a playoff berth in 2024. Finding a win or two seems very unlikely at least on paper, but I wouldn’t put it past Arizona to do it.
Arizona Cardinals: Important Games
The first four games for the Arizona Cardinals will be a good test, but finding a way to get a win against the division is crucial. Week 1 is against the Bills in Buffalo, the first matchup since the infamous “Hail Murray” Cardinals play to win at home in 2020. Weeks 2 and 3 are in Arizona, as their home opener is against the Rams, and the following game is against the Detroit Lions.
Week 4 should be a winnable for the Arizona Cardinals, as they go against the Washington Commanders at home. Their Week 17 and 18 end to the 2024 season isn’t ideal however with two division games. The Cardinals go to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to play the Rams again and then go back to Arizona against the 49ers as their last matchup of the regular season.
About the Author
Previously wrote for Fansided NFL Mocks, Pro Football Network, uInterview and uSports, The Crafty Kit, The Daily Culture, and Ironiq Media. Recent Journalism/ Media Studies Grad and wrote for Impact News, the award-winning news publication of Mercy College, now Mercy University.
Now writing for Total Apex, mostly sports like the NFL, college football, the NFL draft, and fantasy football, along with covering my favorite team, the Baltimore Ravens. Also writing for Total Apex E&G about my favorite movies, shows, anime, and sometimes gaming.
You can follow me on Instagram @kimandrew1357, on YouTube @andrewkim1357, and on Twitter (aka X) @kookykim1357.
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