The Arizona Cardinals have the 11th ranked schedule in 2023. For Cardinals fans expecting the team to tank, that could be good news. A tougher schedule will increase the likelihood that Arizona have a top 2024 NFL Draft pick, where they will have a plethora of talent to choose from.
After firing Kliff Kingsbury and seeing Steve Keim depart, Arizona is welcoming in a new era under Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon. Expectations for Arizona are at an all-time low. The rebuild is beginning and the roster of the last regime has been gutted. This is reflected by the fact that the NFL has allocated the Cardinals zero primetime games. Arizona, alongside the Houston Texans, are the only two teams that have no primetime games. The oddsmakers currently have the two sides as the bottom two teams in the NFL.
Coincidentally, many Cardinals fans will be keeping one eye on the Texans season too. That is because Arizona have Houston’s 2024 first-round pick, as well as their own. They acquired it during the 2023 NFL Draft, when Houston traded up to pick three from pick 12.
An important thing to note about any prediction of the Cardinals schedule is that it is still unclear when Kyler Murray will return from his knee reconstruction. For Arizona, he is a difference-maker, and the offense looked a shell of themselves without him last year. However, even with that said, Arizona’s deficient roster will still struggle against many teams in the league, meaning Murray’s availability may only limit the extent of some of their losses.
Arizona Cardinals Record: Predicting Every Game on the Schedule
Week 1 @ Commanders
The Cardinals open their season with three straight NFC East matchups. The first opponent in line? The Washington Commanders. The Commanders are in a bit of a limbo spot themselves. The team have shown a full endorsement for Sam Howell as their starting quarterback, expecting him to take a big step up with Eric Bieniemy as his offensive coordinator. For this reason, the Commanders could be a tough matchup. Bieniemy, a pupil of Reid, is expected to implement a robust offense in Washington, making them a matchup problem in Week 1.
However, the Cardinals could be a matchup problem in Week 1 themselves. With Gannon taking over the side, Arizona could be very unpredictable in the opening week. While Murray is not expected to play, the team will still have DeAndre Hopkins, Budda Baker, Marquise Brown and James Conner, among others. Drew Petzing’s expected implementation of a run-heavy offense will also be crucial in keeping the stand-in quarterback upright, whether that be Colt McCoy, David Blough or rookie Clayton Tune. At full strength, there is a strong argument that Arizona’s roster is better than Washington’s. Couple that with a ‘new-coach bounce’ and Arizona could be victors in Week 1.
Cardinals win. Record tally: 1-0.
Week 2 vs Giants
Arizona’s home opener comes against last year’s surprise playoff package: the New York Giants. In the 2022 season, Brian Daboll’s side surprised the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs. Quarterback Daniel Jones had a career game, which led to his extension. The Giants are in the midst of a contract dispute with star running back Saquon Barkley right now. If he decides to hold out, Daboll’s side could be in trouble.
However, assuming the Giants have Barkley to start the year, he could be a huge factor in the Giants overcoming Arizona. Arizona’s weak defensive line will likely give up chunk plays to running backs all season. Barkley would benefit from this greatly.
The Giants defense also matches up well with Arizona. The tandem of Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence will be up against one of the worst interior offensive line groups in the league, giving them ample opportunities to make sacks and tackles-for-loss.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 1-1.
Week 3 vs Cowboys
In Week 3, the Cardinals have a second straight home game as they host the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas have a strong roster and are looking to be one of the NFC’s top teams again this year. While Mike McCarthy’s coaching has come under fire of late, there is no doubt that the Cowboys are a top outfit in 2023.
If Murray is back for this game, the Cardinals would be more favoured than expected. Why? Murray does not lose in the state of Texas. He is a high school football legend and is undefeated in NFL games against the Cowboys and Texans. However, is it likely that Murray will be available as early as Week 3? Probably not.
The Cowboys match up well against Arizona. One key to victory for them will be their receivers. CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup could prove to be difficult tasks for Arizona’s weak secondary. Micah Parsons will also be an effective versatile player against whichever backup quarterback the Cardinals roll out.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 1-2.
Week 4 @ 49ers
The away game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4 is Arizona’s first divisional matchup. The Cardinals have found a lot of success against the 49ers recently, notably sweeping San Francisco even in their historically bad 2018 season. The 49ers are one of the Super Bowl favourites this year. Other than quarterback, they have no weaknesses. For this reason, it would be silly to bet against the 49ers in this matchup.
One thing to note is that Gannon’s Philadelphia Eagles defense limited San Francisco to just seven points in the NFC Championship game last year. That was, however, down to the 49ers being without a quarterback and the Eagles having very impressive defensive personnel. Gannon will have the luxury of neither in this Week 4 matchup.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 1-3.
Week 5 vs Bengals
Hosting the Cincinnati Bengals at any point this season is a tough ask. With Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase headlining an elite offense, Cincinnati are serious contenders. While Zac Taylor may have his limitations as a coach, do not expect the Cardinals to pose much of a threat to Cincinnati.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 1-4.
Week 6 @ Rams
Since Sean McVay has taken over the Los Angeles Rams, they have been Arizona’s Achilles heel. However, the Cardinals did manage to beat the Rams in 2021 and 2022. So perhaps the tides are changing, especially with the influx of the new regime.
The Rams look bad this year. National media has been quiet on this matter, but McVay’s side was seriously gutted during the off-season. It was even rumoured that the Rams were willing to let go of any player not named Cooper Kupp or Aaron Donald at one point. While that did not come to fruition, the Rams roster is still very weak. Much of their roster gaps have been plugged by their huge 2023 NFL Draft class and UDFA haul.
The Cardinals have been notoriously bad at home. While Gannon and, particularly, owner Michael Bidwill will seek to change that, Arizona still have a track record of performing better on the road. Both times Arizona beat Rams in recent memory was at SoFi Stadium. As such, picking the Cardinals here makes sense, even if it seems bold.
Cardinals win. Record tally: 2-4.
Week 7 @ Seahawks
The Cardinals follow up the Rams with another NFC West opponent. The Seattle Seahawks are on the rise after Geno Smith surprised everybody last season. Drafting Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba only adds oil to a raging fire in Seattle. There is no aspect of the Cardinals that matches up well against Seattle, even though this is a fixture that should be taken in isolation (due to the rivalry). Given the gulf in class between the two sides, the Seahawks will likely take this one.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 2-5.
Week 8 vs Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are another top team on Arizona’s schedule. At this point, there is a chance that Murray will be back from his knee reconstruction. However, given that this fixture takes place after the trade deadline, there is also a good chance that Arizona have dealt away more talent. At 2-5, expect the Cardinals to be fielding calls for Hopkins, Baker and Simmons, among others.
With an exodus of talent expected, the Cardinals could enter this Baltimore game as week as ever. That does not bode well for their prospects against the high-powered Ravens. Lamar Jackson, who recently penned a long-term extension with Baltimore, is feeling bullish about the Ravens this season. He even went as far as to say that he wanted to throw for ‘6,000 yards’ this year.
Jackson’s confidence is far from unfounded. Baltimore acquired Odell Beckham Jr., drafted Zay Flowers and could expect a breakout year from Isaiah Likely in Todd Monken’s new Baltimore offense. There is simply no way that Arizona will find a way to overcome the playoff-bound Ravens.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 2-6.
Week 9 @ Browns
In Week 9, the Cardinals take on the Cleveland Browns. This was once a matchup to watch between two number one picks from Oklahoma: Murray and Baker Mayfield. Those days are now gone, with both franchises in very different places compared to years prior.
Cleveland are a hard team to gauge this year. Deshaun Watson is expected to take a step up from his rusty self last year, but will that be enough? It might not be enough to carry Cleveland to the playoffs in a tough AFC North. However, it could be enough to help Cleveland to victory in Arizona.
Much of Arizona’s offensive playbook is derived from Cleveland’s. Petzing was formerly the quarterbacks coach in Cleveland, and he is from the Stefanski-Shanahan school of offense. For this reason, however, Cleveland could be all over Arizona’s offensive playcalling. Arizona’s weak defensive line also primes Nick Chubb for a huge game.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 2-7.
Week 10 vs Falcons
Week 10’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons is one of Arizona’s more winnable games this year. Atlanta are a divisive outfit. Some commentators are bullish about their chances in a weak NFC South. Others believe that Desmon Ridder will severely hamper them.
Last year, the Falcons squeaked by the Cardinals late in the season. Ridder played decently, showing that he has enough to hang in the NFL. After another full season in Arthur Smith’s offense, there is a good chance that Ridder will be improved from last year.
The Falcons are a sneaky good team. That might not show against some of the heavyweights in the NFL, but they could strut their stuff against the Cardinals. The tandem of Bijan Robinson and Cordarrelle Patterson could have a great game against Arizona’s weak light defensive line.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 2-8.
Week 11 @ Texans
There is a good chance that, by Week 11, Arizona have established an identity. Following the Detroit Lions model with Dan Campbell, Arizona are seeking to develop a culture and system for the long haul. Thus, like Detroit’s first season with Campbell, Arizona could find their feet towards the tail end of the new regime’s first season.
Against the Texans, the Cardinals have a prime opportunity to show the world what they are building. The Texans are a sleeper team, according to many pundits. New rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. are supposedly the team’s new faces of the franchise. However, their general roster is still quite weak. This could thus be a very close game.
If Hopkins is still with the team at this point, he will make sure that he gets another revenge game against the franchise that dealt him for just a second-round pick. Murray, a Texas native, will also be sure to play his hardest in his home state.
Cardinals win. Record tally: 3-8.
Week 12 vs Rams
The Cardinals met the Rams in Week 6. Arizona will be a very different team from then, but so will the Rams. It seems likeliest that the teams will split this series. Given Arizona’s struggles at home the past couple of years, the Rams are favoured to take this one. The Rams also had their bye week in Week 10, meaning they will be fresher and more prepared for this fixture than the Cardinals.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 3-9.
Week 13 @ Steelers
Arizona fans still hold grudges against the Pittsburgh Steelers over the controversial Santonio Holmes Super Bowl-winning catch. The Cardinals have not been to the grand fixture since that defeat. It is unlikely that 2023 is the year that Arizona change that,
The Steelers are an interesting team in 2023. Kenny Pickett is expected to take a step up. The offensive line has also been replenished by the drafting of right tackle Broderick Jones. As such, the Steelers could be a sneaky good team, especially because they have a lethal defense.
Given that Mike Tomlin will always find a way to stay competitive and relevant, the Cardinals will be no match for the Steelers.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 3-10.
Week 14 Bye
A late bye week is not ideal for Arizona, but it is not detrimental given that the team will not be competitive. Ideally, Arizona would have had an early bye week to give Murray more time to recover. But, at the end of the day, this will not make or break Arizona’s season.
Week 15 vs 49ers
11 weeks after meeting the 49ers in San Francisco, the Cardinals play host to the 49ers in Week 15. The 49ers will likely be chasing the top NFC seed at this point so games against inferior opponents are must-wins. Given the stakes, expect the 49ers to topple the Cardinals with ease late in the season.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 3-11.
Week 16 @ Bears
The Chicago Bears are expecting Justin Fields to take a big jump this year thanks to the acquisition of D.J. Moore. The Bears also bolstered their offensive line by selecting Darnell Wright in the 2023 NFL Draft. For those reasons, Fields will have less pressure on him.
Chicago had the number one pick last year. There was a good reason for that. However, Fields finished strong last year, sneaking the Bears to some close games. He still made some rookie mistakes but, on the whole, he looks like a franchise quarterback. Arizona have a chance to beat Chicago because neither roster is great. However, the Bears could squeak out a win here, especially if they have some late-season momentum.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 3-12.
Week 17 @ Eagles
Gannon will have this matchup marked on his calendar. Coming up against his former side, the former Eagles defensive coordinator will be hyped for this matchup. With that said, the chances of Arizona beating Philadelphia is very low. The Eagles had a very strong 2023 NFL Draft, replenishing their talent effectively. The Eagles remain one of the favourites to make the Super Bowl but might have a ‘hangover 2023’ given their success in 2022. Even with that considered, Philadelphia simply has too much talent for Arizona. Look for Haason Reddick to have a revenge game too.
Cardinals lose. Record tally: 3-13.
Week 18 vs Seahawks
The Cardinals finish their season against the Seahawks. At this point, Seattle will be jostling for better playoff seeding. The Cardinals, meanwhile, will have nothing to play for (aside from, perhaps better 2024 NFL Draft positioning). Despite this, final week always coughs up shocks. For the very reason that Arizona have nothing to play for, and the fact that they always give the Seahawks a tough game, the Cardinals take a final-game win.
Cardinals win. Record tally: 4-13.
Main Photo: Joel Angel Juarez/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK
