Cardinals Playoff Positioning Hinges On Week 16

by Andrew602 on Dec 24, 2009 12:00 PM MST

There are currently two games left in the regular season and the Arizona Cardinals have already been crowned the NFC West division champions. As it stands now, they're currently the #4 seed and would host the #5 seed Green Bay Packers in the 1st round of the playoffs.

However, things don't always pan out how you would expect.

The current #2 seed is the Minnesota Vikings, and a month ago their 10-1 record seemed untouchable. Two stunning losses later and the Cardinals are suddenly back in the hunt. If Minnesota loses their next two games(@ Bears, Giants) and the Cardinals win out, the Cardinals would own the tie breaker. As long as Philadelphia loses their final game against Dallas, then the Cardinals would get the first round bye. It's a stretch to say the least but it's very well possible. After all, the ifs and maybes sounded ridiculous through last year's playoff run but somehow the Cardinals ended up getting the ideal scenario that got them the NFC championship game at home.

On the other hand, we can all assume that this is all false hope and that dream could never come true. Therefore, the Cardinals should beat the Rams, then rest their starters and seemingly lose to Green Bay the next week. The Cardinals would likely get the Packers in the 1st round, so I doubt Ken Whisenhunt wants to give too much away in a meaningless game anyway. The Cardinals get their 10 wins and make their 2nd run in the playoffs - end of story.

Either way you look at it, It's an interesting delimma the Cardinals face and I'd imagine we'll find out just how possible it is after this week. Watch for the Bears to upset the Vikings(first cold-weather game for the Vikings), and the Broncos/Eagles game(Good if Eagles lose, Cards still ok if Eagles win). What are your thoughts on the situation?

Poll

What should the Cardinals plan be the next two games?

Win out if a higher seed is up for grabs

379 votes

Win this week but be smart and rest against the Packers

205 votes

584 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I'd rather save the planet's aligning for a playoff run again.

The bye and home filed is overrated if the game is in a dome. I just want to avoid playing in chilly Philly in Jan.

by Drullin'OverDaCards on Dec 24, 2009 5:02 PM MST reply actions

i agree

philly scares me, the other teams i feel like the cards stack up nicely against. the vikings the cards already proved they could beat, im sure they can do it in norseland as well. the saints would be one hell of a game. both teams are have incredible offensive machines, I can totally see a 48-45 game happening (hopefully in the cards favor.)

Not to be overlooked, the green bay packers i think are a hell of a team. Next year i can see them winning the north over the vikings. Aaron rodgers is a stud and the packers were right to get rid of that cry baby. I think the cards will be put the test but they can win as long as warner is careful with the ball. woodson and the packers secondary is having a hell of a season (i would say the same for the saints secondary but they seem to be all or nothing – into or long td.)

Im looking forward to the playoffs. Hopefully a long playoff run.

i double wrap my rascal in order to punish the supermodels.

by sornypanafonic on Dec 25, 2009 2:34 AM MST up reply actions

Oh, and Merry Christmas!!!

i double wrap my rascal in order to punish the supermodels.

by sornypanafonic on Dec 25, 2009 2:34 AM MST up reply actions

merry chrismas

i hope u get everything u want today

okay i have cereal palsy arhrtis and chronic fatiue as well i have a grea life loveing folks some days are better that other days i got a make a wish in 2001 saw my favorive team the broncos was the trip of the lifetime i wish everyone couild gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that ok but i bleed organ and bule

by j-man on Dec 25, 2009 9:25 AM MST reply actions

O Yeah!!! Finally have an authentic #11 Fitz Jersey!!!

by CARDstucknVA on Dec 25, 2009 12:05 PM MST up reply actions

Cardinals seat covers and the Cardinals fuzzy dice for the mirror

Now I just need the floor mats and the steering wheel cover.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Dec 25, 2009 8:54 PM MST up reply actions

I stopped asking for Cardinals gear so I'd stop getting Patriots gear.

Don't waste time or Time will waste you.

by Hawkwind on Dec 26, 2009 8:58 AM MST up reply actions

Is it fair to assume that your car/truck is red?

by CARDstucknVA on Dec 26, 2009 10:52 AM MST up reply actions

If we beat the Pack week 17 isn't there a pretty good chance they won't make it to the playoffs?

If their playoff hopes hinge on week 17, the playoffs could essentially be starting a week early for us…

by tw3kr on Dec 26, 2009 12:05 PM MST reply actions

It's a pretty long shot, but

If the giants can beat both Carolina and Minn and
Dallas can beat both and Washington & Philly and
the pack goes 1-1 against Seattle and us, the Giants, Dallas, and Philly all make the palyoffs and the pack would be left out.

If the Pack loses both to Seattle and to us then they are in real trouble, but Seattle has really stunk it up the last few weeks.

by Drullin'OverDaCards on Dec 26, 2009 5:54 PM MST up reply actions

Aah, wasn't sure of the specifics, just knew their record was close to the median

Doesn’t seem likely!

by tw3kr on Dec 26, 2009 11:01 PM MST up reply actions

The irony if the Cards knocked the Pack out of the playoffs after getting them into the post-season in '03...

I have two Packer friends that would be sending me some nasty messages afterward.

Don't waste time or Time will waste you.

by Hawkwind on Dec 27, 2009 6:25 AM MST up reply actions

as much as I would like having the #2 seed,

I would also be really really happy with the #3 seed. The one thing i am afraid of in the playoffs is going to Philly and playing a night game in sub freezing temperatures. Minnesota and New Orleans are dying down the stretch a little bit, Philadelphia is considered by many as the “team to beat” in the NFC, and we’re flying under the radar a little bit. I’m not afraid of the Vikes or the Saints because both play in a dome, and I’m not afraid of Dallas or GB because we’ll play both at home (GB can’t be the division winner and if Dallas beats Philly next week, we own the third tiebreaker against them which is W-L percentage among common games and would be the 3 seed). I’m terrified, however, of going to Philadelphia for a playoff game

by najmsh on Dec 28, 2009 6:12 PM MST reply actions