cardinals2025
Veteran
49ers:
With the 28th ranked defensive ppg last season, and coming off a 6-11 record they can improve while still being mediocre. Every NFC West defense is also likely to improve.
They are extremely likely to repeat as the worst defense in the division, which has never finished 1st. (Rams were closest to them at 17th in ppg allowed)
They added big rookie dlinemen from the draft but lost more talent in FA, and their secondary is a mess. Purdy will be trying to outscore almost every team he plays.
Additionally, the lack of depth for Mccaffrey and Aiyuk (Samuel and Mason gone) is not encouraging and they faced issues on the oline they weren't used to having.
Finally the stars they do still have on defense, are finally starting to age. The rest of the division is young and more talented on that side of the ball. SF has to rebuild from behind.
You are looking at a team that could improve from 6-11 to 8-9 wins max imo. The fact their schedule is easier doesn't mean automatic wins like it often did in the past.
Seahawks:
Darnold will attempt to be the first Seattle QB to win 11 games in his first season on the team. However you slice it, their WR core is less than what they had last season.
He comes into a situation where every part of the Seattle offense is less than what he had on Minnesota talent wise. Perhaps he deserves some credit for Justin Jefferson's 1500 yd season.
But when you realize Kirk Cousins did better with the same sort of weapons Darnold had, it puts things more into perspective. He also has a new coordinator who is more conservative
and a very shaky oline. Cardinals should benefit from the fact that Seattle seems intent on trying out Marquez Valdez Scantling as their slot WR, even though he only had 19 catches
in 42 targets. He had a few TD's vs a few bad defenses in Klint Kubiak's offense (the new SEA offensive coordinator) Meanwhile, Tory Horton is faster than JXN and his vertical reach
is as good as DK Metcalf. I am hoping we avoid him in Week 4 completely. Macdonald's defense deserves plenty of credit especially vs AZ last season. 9 sacks on Kyler was a statement
and we better figure out how to block Leonard Williams while still accounting for everyone else. They may further improve, which would take alot of stress off of the offense.
Like when Geno Smith beat the Bears 6-3. That said, I don't expect SEA to sweep us again. Their new offensive play-calling is intent on running the ball more, which makes sense
looking at their stats below. and they were blessed to beat SF on a 15 yard run by Geno on 4th down when time expired. Something Darnold would not have pulled off.
SEA competing for a wild card spot seems about right.
SEA winning 9 games and out competing the Rams in terms of divisional or conference record I think is a good possibility.
I see them getting the last wildcard spot if it is not the Rams or the Bears.Darnold isn't just leaving a better offense.
He is leaving one of the best ones in the NFC. Better than every NFC West offense by a mile.
Rams:
Davante Adams is an upgrade over Kupp, although both are injury prone. The only other major move the Rams made was adding a top 5 DT. So while they did improve,
they didn't improve to the same extent that the Cardinals did, who dominated the points for the season series 50-23. The biggest change will be us facing Puka Nukua,
who is the best WR in the division, if you take his 2023 stats into account. It is meaningful that unlike vs SEA, we were a ball not hitting Mcbride's helmet away from
sweeping the Rams. We will probably end up splitting against them again.
Is Stafford in Decline?
PFF Grade:
Stafford's PFF offensive grade for 2024 is his lowest since his rookie year in 2009.
Big-Time Throw Rate:
His big-time throw rate has decreased, indicating a reduced ability to make explosive plays.
Completion Rate:
His adjusted completion rate has dropped, suggesting a decline in his accuracy.
Effectiveness Under Pressure:
His performance when pressured has significantly declined, with his EPA per dropback being much lower than when he's clean, suggesting a
potential weakness as he ages and becomes less mobile.
Reliance on Offensive Line:
He has increasingly relied on his offensive line to protect him when pressured, as indicated by his low scrambling rate.
Decreased Completion Percentage on Deep Throws:
His completion percentage on throws 20+ air yards has decreased, further indicating a potential decline in his ability to make deep throws.
All of this combined, plus the fact that the Rams have the hardest schedule in the division, having to play PHI, DET and BAL leans me towards
them staying around where they were last season. Which is a 9-10 win team, probably more likely to be in battle with SEA for the wildcard spot.
Unless they can dominate and sweep SEA like they did Darnold last year. Then 10 is more likely.
Cardinals:
List your own reason for why we won't win 11 games. It will require us to overachieve in a big way and not have trap games turn into losses like at IND might be.
I just don't see us playing up to that level.The offensive line would have to morph into a top tier unit along with the defense being more explosive than top 10.
Our schedule is easier, its not easy. I just get the feeling we are going to end up 10-5 with the 2 games left being at CIN and at LAR. And the chances we finish
10-7 at that point seem alot higher than they should be. Kyler has to play better, we have to score more in the 4th quarter andour WRs have to make big plays
while the line holds up and Petzing doesn't have any dumb calls. It is alot to ask for. I will gladly take the two game improvement. While I will say it is more
likely we win 11 since we have before recently, than being 9-8, I don't think it is by much. I guessed 9-8 last year and I am trying to learn from that. By picking
a record that reflects more of a bare minimum instead of havingrealistic expectations. Realistically, we are gonna blow a game or two. Kyler doesn't have
a 1-3 record in his career vs CAR by not blowing games.
Prediction:
Both AZ and SF improve 2 games from last season with SEA and LAR dropping back 1.
AZ: 10-7
SEA 9-8
LAR 9-8
SF 8-9
Playoffs:
PHI has lost alot and DET has lost both coordinators and their best CB, but I still think they will be some version of #1 and #2. I think we
will end up with the 4th seed most likely. TB holds onto the 3rd seed. With their core players in tact and adding Hassan Reddick makes them
look like an 11 win team.And I think first round is likely to be against GB or WAS, whoever the 5th seed ends up being. I don't see a rookie
QB making the playoffs for the Vikings. I think Daniels is due for a soph slump, but they still make the playoffs.
#1 PHI
#2 DET vs #7 SEA or LAR or CHI
#3 TB vs #6 WAS
#4 GB vs #5 AZ
Kyler is 0-3 vs GB but I think we beat them during the regular season and in the playoffs. I just think we are better team overall when playing them at home.
Just have this sinking feeling we lose at PHI in the 2nd round. That they are going to get their revenge for us beating them in 2023 the way we did.
With the 28th ranked defensive ppg last season, and coming off a 6-11 record they can improve while still being mediocre. Every NFC West defense is also likely to improve.
They are extremely likely to repeat as the worst defense in the division, which has never finished 1st. (Rams were closest to them at 17th in ppg allowed)
They added big rookie dlinemen from the draft but lost more talent in FA, and their secondary is a mess. Purdy will be trying to outscore almost every team he plays.
Additionally, the lack of depth for Mccaffrey and Aiyuk (Samuel and Mason gone) is not encouraging and they faced issues on the oline they weren't used to having.
Finally the stars they do still have on defense, are finally starting to age. The rest of the division is young and more talented on that side of the ball. SF has to rebuild from behind.
You are looking at a team that could improve from 6-11 to 8-9 wins max imo. The fact their schedule is easier doesn't mean automatic wins like it often did in the past.
Seahawks:
Darnold will attempt to be the first Seattle QB to win 11 games in his first season on the team. However you slice it, their WR core is less than what they had last season.
He comes into a situation where every part of the Seattle offense is less than what he had on Minnesota talent wise. Perhaps he deserves some credit for Justin Jefferson's 1500 yd season.
But when you realize Kirk Cousins did better with the same sort of weapons Darnold had, it puts things more into perspective. He also has a new coordinator who is more conservative
and a very shaky oline. Cardinals should benefit from the fact that Seattle seems intent on trying out Marquez Valdez Scantling as their slot WR, even though he only had 19 catches
in 42 targets. He had a few TD's vs a few bad defenses in Klint Kubiak's offense (the new SEA offensive coordinator) Meanwhile, Tory Horton is faster than JXN and his vertical reach
is as good as DK Metcalf. I am hoping we avoid him in Week 4 completely. Macdonald's defense deserves plenty of credit especially vs AZ last season. 9 sacks on Kyler was a statement
and we better figure out how to block Leonard Williams while still accounting for everyone else. They may further improve, which would take alot of stress off of the offense.
Like when Geno Smith beat the Bears 6-3. That said, I don't expect SEA to sweep us again. Their new offensive play-calling is intent on running the ball more, which makes sense
looking at their stats below. and they were blessed to beat SF on a 15 yard run by Geno on 4th down when time expired. Something Darnold would not have pulled off.
SEA competing for a wild card spot seems about right.
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
SEA winning 9 games and out competing the Rams in terms of divisional or conference record I think is a good possibility.
I see them getting the last wildcard spot if it is not the Rams or the Bears.Darnold isn't just leaving a better offense.
He is leaving one of the best ones in the NFC. Better than every NFC West offense by a mile.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Rams:
Davante Adams is an upgrade over Kupp, although both are injury prone. The only other major move the Rams made was adding a top 5 DT. So while they did improve,
they didn't improve to the same extent that the Cardinals did, who dominated the points for the season series 50-23. The biggest change will be us facing Puka Nukua,
who is the best WR in the division, if you take his 2023 stats into account. It is meaningful that unlike vs SEA, we were a ball not hitting Mcbride's helmet away from
sweeping the Rams. We will probably end up splitting against them again.
Is Stafford in Decline?
PFF Grade:
Stafford's PFF offensive grade for 2024 is his lowest since his rookie year in 2009.
Big-Time Throw Rate:
His big-time throw rate has decreased, indicating a reduced ability to make explosive plays.
Completion Rate:
His adjusted completion rate has dropped, suggesting a decline in his accuracy.
Effectiveness Under Pressure:
His performance when pressured has significantly declined, with his EPA per dropback being much lower than when he's clean, suggesting a
potential weakness as he ages and becomes less mobile.
Reliance on Offensive Line:
He has increasingly relied on his offensive line to protect him when pressured, as indicated by his low scrambling rate.
Decreased Completion Percentage on Deep Throws:
His completion percentage on throws 20+ air yards has decreased, further indicating a potential decline in his ability to make deep throws.
All of this combined, plus the fact that the Rams have the hardest schedule in the division, having to play PHI, DET and BAL leans me towards
them staying around where they were last season. Which is a 9-10 win team, probably more likely to be in battle with SEA for the wildcard spot.
Unless they can dominate and sweep SEA like they did Darnold last year. Then 10 is more likely.
Cardinals:
List your own reason for why we won't win 11 games. It will require us to overachieve in a big way and not have trap games turn into losses like at IND might be.
I just don't see us playing up to that level.The offensive line would have to morph into a top tier unit along with the defense being more explosive than top 10.
Our schedule is easier, its not easy. I just get the feeling we are going to end up 10-5 with the 2 games left being at CIN and at LAR. And the chances we finish
10-7 at that point seem alot higher than they should be. Kyler has to play better, we have to score more in the 4th quarter andour WRs have to make big plays
while the line holds up and Petzing doesn't have any dumb calls. It is alot to ask for. I will gladly take the two game improvement. While I will say it is more
likely we win 11 since we have before recently, than being 9-8, I don't think it is by much. I guessed 9-8 last year and I am trying to learn from that. By picking
a record that reflects more of a bare minimum instead of havingrealistic expectations. Realistically, we are gonna blow a game or two. Kyler doesn't have
a 1-3 record in his career vs CAR by not blowing games.
Prediction:
Both AZ and SF improve 2 games from last season with SEA and LAR dropping back 1.
AZ: 10-7
SEA 9-8
LAR 9-8
SF 8-9
Playoffs:
PHI has lost alot and DET has lost both coordinators and their best CB, but I still think they will be some version of #1 and #2. I think we
will end up with the 4th seed most likely. TB holds onto the 3rd seed. With their core players in tact and adding Hassan Reddick makes them
look like an 11 win team.And I think first round is likely to be against GB or WAS, whoever the 5th seed ends up being. I don't see a rookie
QB making the playoffs for the Vikings. I think Daniels is due for a soph slump, but they still make the playoffs.
#1 PHI
#2 DET vs #7 SEA or LAR or CHI
#3 TB vs #6 WAS
#4 GB vs #5 AZ
Kyler is 0-3 vs GB but I think we beat them during the regular season and in the playoffs. I just think we are better team overall when playing them at home.
Just have this sinking feeling we lose at PHI in the 2nd round. That they are going to get their revenge for us beating them in 2023 the way we did.
Last edited:
