As managing editor Jess Root noted recently, it’s “stupid” and “irresponsible” to go through a team’s schedule game-by-game in May and attempt to predict what the record will be when the regular season ends in early January.
Of course, the NFL lends itself to that with a season that lasts only 17 games. Frankly, I’d love to see someone break down a team’s major-league baseball schedule for all 162 games and project a winner and loser in each game. Would anyone actually read it? Great question.
It would also be instructive to go back to last year at this time and see what the predictions were for the Jets, who lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the fourth play of the season. Ot the Texans, a team that Cardinals fans figured would be handing over at the least a top-five selection in this year’s draft.
Having said all that, here’s a look ahead from Marcus Mosher of the33rdteam.com for not only the Cardinals, but the entire NFC West. Make some notes and see what it looks like on Jan. 5.
From Mosher:
The Arizona Cardinals finished with just four wins last season, but they played much better down the stretch with a healthy Kyler Murray.
The additions of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Darius Robinson make this a much better roster than it was a year ago. The Cardinals still aren’t ready to contend, but they will be much more competitive.
Record Prediction: 7-10
My take:
It all depends on what the word “contend” means. A 7-10 team is one/two wins away from being 8-9 or 9-8. Teams entering December at around .500 are at least in contention for a playoff spot and that would not be a stretch for the Cardinals. Certainly staying healthy will be paramount I(as it is for every team), but this team is trending up.
Mosher:
The loss of Aaron Donald is huge for the Los Angeles Rams. Everything they did on defense was built around his dominance. They also lost DC Raheem Morris, widely viewed as a top defensive mind, to the Falcons.
However, the trio of Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua makes the Rams a dangerous team. Their roster has several holes, but those three will cover up a lot of warts.
Record Prediction: 9-8
My take:
Winning nine would be one less than last season, so that could be conservative. The offensive line was strong last season after being decimated in 2022, and that bodes well for an offense led by those three players plus Kyren Williams and…
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