Cardinals 2024 Season Review Podcast

[cardinals2025]

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Every year these guys do an hour long on each team’s 2024 with all the important stats. Then they predict 2025.

They called us the “anti-Chiefs,” on offense in terms of clutch and a defense that was below average in tackling and performance EXCEPT in the redzone when we thrived. They made optimistic predictions for next year.

Interesting to watch.

Here is what they found:

(EPA) Offensive Rankings:

Passing Offense: 13th

Rushing Offense: 8th

Points Scored: 12th

Plays per Drive: 4th

Scoring Drive Percentage: 7th

Successful Play Percentage: 5th

Fade/Go Ball Passing: 44 attempts (7th in NFL), 8 completions

Run Game Composition: 40% of runs were power, counter, and pin-and-pull (highest in NFL)

(EPA) Defensive Rankings:

Pass Defense: 24th

Rushing Defense: 25th

Points Allowed: 15th

Red Zone Defense (TD Scoring Percentage): 7th

Scoring Drive Percentage Allowed: 7th

Third-Down Defense: Bottom 5

Plays per Drive Allowed: 4th highest (6.5 plays per drive)

Blitz Percentage: 4th highest

Pressure Percentage: 27th

Tackling:

Missed Tackles: One of the worst tackling teams, with Buddha Baker leading NFL with 28 missed tackles

 

[Crimson Warrior]

If you only read this board, you'd think our passing offense was closer to the 25th than 12th. haha

Anyway, those metrics support why we went all in on defense this past offseason. That's what had to happen. I'm glad we did.

 

[kerouac9]

If you only read this board, you'd think our passing offense was closer to the 25th than 12th. haha

Anyway, those metrics support why we went all in on defense this past offseason. That's what had to happen. I'm glad we did.

They were 12th in passing EPA per play -- which is a shaky metric for me, but, as always, part of a mosiac of data.

Cards were 18th in passing yardage, 20th in passing TDs, 15th in team passer rating, 16th in yards per attempt. We weren't bad, but we were pretty mediocre.

Cleveland was last in expected points contributed by the passing offense -- minus-127.71. Embarrassing.

 

[football karma]

highly skeptical of the "anti chiefs" thing. I think the record reflected who they were: a C+ talent team that on balance was well coached and played hard.

it implies they lost a disproportionate number of close games. I think the Cards were 3-5, which is not an outlier. The Chiefs were clearly outliers, winning some insane % of one score games -- a few of them in the most unlikely of circumstances (i.e. non repeatable). It happens. Im not sure their record in 1 score game repeats this year.

So do the Cards win more via randomness (a few more of those plays going their way?) great -- they go 9-8.

or do they win more because with better talent and more experience they simply make way more of those plays. I hope its the latter.

 

[oaken1]

highly skeptical of the "anti chiefs" thing. I think the record reflected who they were: a C+ talent team that on balance was well coached and played hard.

it implies they lost a disproportionate number of close games. I think the Cards were 3-5, which is not an outlier. The Chiefs were clearly outliers, winning some insane % of one score games -- a few of them in the most unlikely of circumstances (i.e. non repeatable). It happens. Im not sure their record in 1 score game repeats this year.

So do the Cards win more via randomness (a few more of those plays going their way?) great -- they go 9-8.

or do they win more because with better talent and more experience they simply make way more of those plays. I hope its the latter.

I, for one, am hoping we dont play in any one score games this season.
win or lose, be decisive and convincing about it. Make it look like it was on purpose.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

They were 12th in passing EPA per play -- which is a shaky metric for me, but, as always, part of a mosiac of data.

Cards were 18th in passing yardage, 20th in passing TDs, 15th in team passer rating, 16th in yards per attempt. We weren't bad, but we were pretty mediocre.

Cleveland was last in expected points contributed by the passing offense -- minus-127.71. Embarrassing.

The 2024 passing attack was a disappointment for sure, and that's even with a super-human effort from Big Play Trey.

I love Dortch's big heart, but he, and Michael Wilson too, are not scaring any defenses. And K1 needs to better of course.

Still, this season if a few things go right, the offense could be the 10th best in the league. That's well within this group's reach.

 

[Shane]

Missed Tackles: One of the worst tackling teams, with Buddha Baker leading NFL with 28 missed tackles

Ooof

 

[kerouac9]

Still, this season if a few things go right, the offense could be the 10th best in the league. That's well within this group's reach.

I mean, we were 12th in points and 11th in yardage last season. On the other hand, a high ankle sprain from James Conner in week four and we could start to look a lot like the Chicago Bears or something.

We're extremely leveraged on the legs of a 30-year old running back.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

I mean, we were 12th in points and 11th in yardage last season. On the other hand, a high ankle sprain from James Conner in week four and we could start to look a lot like the Chicago Bears or something.

We're extremely leveraged on the legs of a 30-year old running back.

So it might seem.

Trey Benson did average 4.6 YPC on 63 carries last year. Behind him is the capable Demercado.

On the other hand Conner is probably the emotional leader of the offense. His ferocity sets a tone that I think the other players respond to.

We could possibly replace his statistical production. It's less likely we could replace his on-the-field leadership.

 

[DVontel]

Ooof

You really hate Baker more than I do Bidwill lol Jesus

 

[Shane]

You really hate Baker more than I do Bidwill lol Jesus

lol I honestly don’t hate him. Just don’t think he ever should have been the highest paid safety in NFL history. I think for me that “label” puts unrealistic expectations on him of which I knew he’d never be able to meet. Im happy to have him on the team. Just wish he was a better all around player and not a one trick pony.

 

[kerouac9]

lol I honestly don’t hate him. Just don’t think he ever should have been the highest paid safety in NFL history. I think for me that “label” puts unrealistic expectations on him of which I knew he’d never be able to meet. Im happy to have him on the team. Just wish he was a better all around player and not a one trick pony.

Not your money

 

[kerouac9]

Trey Benson did average 4.6 YPC on 63 carries last year.

Bruh pretty thin gruel

 

[Shane]

Not your money

Doesn’t change my expectations… if you’re gonna be paid the best money in NFL history you should probably play like it jmo

 

[kerouac9]

Doesn’t change my expectations… if you’re gonna be paid the best money in NFL history you should probably play like it jmo

Budda Baker: 7x Pro Bowl, 2x All Pro
Larry Fitzgerald: 11x pro bowl, 1x all pro

 

[oaken1]

Doesn’t change my expectations… if you’re gonna be paid the best money in NFL history you should probably play like it jmo

Come on man. Baker is the best undersized ILB we have had in years.

 

[HairZach]

Doesn’t change my expectations… if you’re gonna be paid the best money in NFL history you should probably play like it jmo

Every good, young player in the league gets the "highest paid X in NFL history" headline when they sign an extension. It lasts until the next good player at the position gets an extension. Minkah took that title from Budda not long after, then only held it for a few months before Derwin James took it.

It's a strange experience for us Cardinals fans, we don't usually have young star players to extend. Some fanbases see that headline for their players quite regularly! Those teams are usually a lot better than the bargin bin free agency hunters.

 

[Shane]

Budda Baker: 7x Pro Bowl, 2x All Pro
Larry Fitzgerald: 11x pro bowl, 1x all pro

And?

 

[kerouac9]

And?

By any objective measure he's performing like one of the best players at his position of his time.