It's no secret that everyone knew how difficult the Arizona Cardinals' schedule would be through the first eight weeks of the season, with six games against 2023 playoff teams.
In contrast, the second half of the list wasn't as discouraging, with only three playoff teams from last year.
In those first eight games, they won three of four games against playoff teams: the LA Rams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Miami Dolphins, defeated the LA Chargers and then beat the Chicago Bears and New York Jets by 6-4 byes.
Winning close games was an important reason. Before the Week 5 game in San Francisco, the Cardinals were 2-7 in one-score games under head coach Jonathan Gannon. That included losses to the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions earlier this season.
Starting with the 49ers game, the Cardinals have won three consecutive one-score games (by a total of four points), all thanks to late field goals from Chad Ryland.
It doesn't take a math major to realize that the Cardinals would be 4-6 if just two of them were flipped.
Conversely, the 49ers' loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday with a touchdown with 12 seconds left was their third loss this season due to results in the final two minutes.
Against the Rams, a touchdown tied the game with 1:51 left, and the Rams then won with a field goal with two seconds left. Third place, of course, went to the Cardinals, who scored a Ryland field goal with 1:37 left.
If you played the “flip” game and two of its four total losses were wins by one point each, San Francisco would be 7-3 instead of 5-5, and no one would be wondering what was going on with the 49ers.
That's life in the NFL.
Now back to what lies ahead on the schedule.
The combined record of the Cardinals' seven opponents (counting the Seahawks twice) is 34-37, and the Minnesota Vikings are the only opponent with seven or more wins.
The other three teams have a much more difficult path.
The 49ers play Detroit (9-1), Buffalo (9-2) and Green Bay (7-3), and the combined record of their seven opponents is 44-27.
The Rams play Buffalo and Philadelphia (8-2) and the combined record is 40-33.
The Seahawks play against Minnesota and Green Bay and their combined record is 39-32.
The most important thing is that the Cardinals need to control their own destiny and make sure they take advantage of this opportunity. No matter the opponent, it's usually difficult to win games in the NFL.
It's just a reality knowing that with how this season has turned the way it has, it doesn't take much to go back the other way.
As Gannon said Monday about what he expected in the first practice after the bye: “Attention to detail, focus, enthusiasm.” We can't mope today. We have a lot to do today. You must use the bonus day as a bonus day. Work up a sweat and start practicing our winning habits. Let’s pick up where we left off.”
Remaining schedules in NFC West
Cardinals
- Week 12 at Seattle (5-5)
- Week 13 at Minnesota (8-2)
- Week 14 vs. Seattle (5-5)
- Week 15 vs. New England (3-8)
- Week 16 at Carolina (3-7)
- Week 17 at LA Rams (5-5)
- Week 18 vs. San Francisco (5-5)
Combined opponent record: 34-37
Aries
- Week 12 vs. Philadelphia (8-2)
- Week 13 at New Orleans (4-7)
- Week 14 vs. Buffalo (9-2)
- Week 15 (Thursday) in San Francisco (5-5)
- Week 16 at NY Jets (3-8)
- Week 17 vs. Arizona (6-4)
- Week 18 vs. Seattle (5-5)
Combined opponent record: 40-33
49ers
- Week 12 at Green Bay (7-3)
- Week 13 at Buffalo (9-2)
- Week 14 vs. Chicago (4-6)
- Week 15 (Thursday) vs. LA Rams (5-5)
- Week 16 at Miami (4-6)
- Week 17 (Monday) vs. Detroit (9-1)
- Week 18 at Arizona (6-4)
Combined opponent record: 44-27
Seahawks
- Week 12 vs. Arizona (6-4)
- Week 13 at NY Jets (3-8)
- Week 14 at Arizona (6-4)
- Week 15 vs. Green Bay (7-3)
- Week 16 vs. Minnesota (8-2)
- Week 17 (Thursday) at Chicago (4-6)
- Week 18 at LA Rams (5-5)
Combined opponent record: 39-32
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