The Arizona Cardinals are expected to be an improved team in 2020, especially with the addition of multiple defensive starters and receiver DeAndre Hopkins. How much of an improvement?
In USA TODAY’s predictions for each team in the NFL, the Cardinals are better and actually move up in the NFC West, passing the Los Angeles Rams.
The Cardinals finish 7-9, ahead of the 6-10 Rams, but still aren’t quite a playoff team.
Their outlook isn’t as sunny as coach Kliff Kingsbury’s crib, but excitement is warranted following the trade for WR DeAndre Hopkins and arrival of rookie LB Isaiah Simmons and OT Josh Jones. RB Kenyan Drake, who established offensive balance after last year’s trade, also returns. Could be tough to overcome the early lineup of games, which includes four of first six on the road.
They do have a tough early schedule in terms of being on the road, but have four very winnable games in their first five games, playing teams that drafted ahead of them or just below them.
7-9 seems like the least optimistic realistic expectation for a team that should be competitive. 7-9 should be their floor.
In the end, how they get to 7-9 matters. If their defense is again bad and they lose games to bad teams, they are not where they should be. If they lose games to the tougher, more competitive teams and take care of business against weaker competition, then you can feel better about finishing just under .500.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 267
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