Predicting the Arizona Cardinals Record: Part 3
by Andrew602 on Aug 24, 2009 5:00 AM MDT
in 2009 Off Season
5 comments
Last week was the second week of predicting the Arizona Cardinals record for the 2009 season. 
At the midway point of the season, the Cardinals look to be 5-3, which most may agree is a very respectable record, and may have them at 1st place in the division at that point. Last week's may have also been the toughest stretch of the season, and the Cardinals are projected to finish 2-2 in that span. This week, things are similar, as the Cardinals begin with 2 division rivals, followed by two competitive games.
Week 10: vs Seattle Seahawks
Key Additions: WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, DT Colin Cole, CB Ken Lucas, DT Cory Redding, LB Aaron Curry
Key Losses: LB Julian Peterson, DT Rocky Bernard, WR Bobby Engram, RB Maurice Morris
Analysis: As stated in part 2 of this segment, Seattle enjoyed a swarming amount of injuries in 2008. They lacked 2nd stringers to cover for their 1st stringers when the injury bug attacked. Seattle hopes to be fully healed in 2008, yet long time, future hall of fame offensive tackle, Walter Jones, has already had back problems this offseason, and is about to go through knee surgery which will take him out indefinitely. Seattle gets a healthy Matt Hasselbeck back at the helm of the offense, and added a wide out threat in TJ Houshmandzadeh.
What to watch for: After predicting a win for the Cardinals on the road in Seattle already, the Seahawks will be heading into this game, hoping to get their revenge. If all stars are healthy, we should be in for a good showing. At this point in the season, the Cardinals may be looking to secure a playoff birth, and getting this against a divisional opponent would be nice. Watch for a competitive game, as Hasselbeck likes to play tough against the Cardinals year in and year out.
Key Match up: Kurt Warner vs Seahawks defense - Warner will be looking to carve up the Seahawks defense, hoping to push the Cardinals into the playoff race.
Prediction: Win - If the Seahawks can't beat the Cardinals in Seattle, what makes it different in Arizona?
Week 11 - At St. Louis
Key Additions: SS James Butler, C Jason Brown, FB Mike Karney, OT Jason Smith
Key Losses: WR Torry Holt, OT Orlando Pace, QB Trent Green, S Corey Chavous
Analysis: For the last two years, the Rams have mustered together a dismal 5-27 record. Hoping to erase recent memory, the Rams hired Steve Spagnola, former defensive coordinator from the Giants, to lead their team to the promise land, and a respectable record. They've also broken away from the past, recently releasing long time veterans, Tory Holt, Orlando Pace, and Corey Chavous. The Rams goal for 2009 is to put together a tough team, that remains competitive in every game. If this is possible, we may see something different then what we've seen in years past.
What to watch for: The Rams spent a lot of money this offseason trying to revamp their offensive line that's been unable to protect the quarterback the last few years. Watch for a battle between the Cardinals defensive line and the Rams offensive line. We'll probably see a warm welcoming for Kurt Warner as usual from the St. Louis fans.
Key Match up: Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell vs Jason Smith and Jason Brown
Prediction: Win - Until they prove otherwise, the Rams defense won't be able to stop Kurt Warner and the offense.
Week 12 - At Tennessee
Key Additions: DT Jovan Haye, WR Nate Washington, CB DeMarcus Faggins, WR Kenny Britt
Key Losses: DT Albert Haynesworth, WR Brandon Jones, CB Eric King
Analysis: Last year, Tennessee began with a perfect record, establishing themselves as the best team in the league for the regular season. They lost in the playoffs against a tough Baltimore defense, and hope to build off of last year. They didn't do much this offseason to do that, as they allowed Albert Haynesworth to sign a $100 million dollar contract with the Washington Redskins. They still remain secure on defense, with a quick secondary, and a lot of experience between the linebackers and the defensive line. The big question mark is offense. Their version of smash and dash went through a divorce this offseason, and they have an aging vet at quarterback(which we all know isn't a bad thing). With a 3rd string wide receiver at best in Washington, and a rookie in Britt, their offense may be the deciding factor of how successful 2009 will be for the Titans.
What to watch for: The Cardinals will face two former Cardinals of the "not so glory days" in Dave McGinnis, the Titans linebackers coach, and defensive end Kyle Vandenbosch. Another headline I'm sure we'll hear about is the battle between the two grey beards. This should be a battle in Tennessee and a potential Super Bowl 44 match up. ; )
Key Match up: Gerald Hayes vs Chris Johnson and LenDale White - Hayes will have his hands full.
Prediction: Loss - Playing the Titans in Tennessee is never easy, and it especially won't be for the Cardinals.
Week 13 - Vs Minnesota
Key Additions: QB Brett Favre, QB Sage Rosenfels, WR Percy Harvin
Key Losses: C Matt Birk, QB Gus Frerotte, S Darren Sharper
Analysis: The Vikings ended last year on a sour note, losing to the Eagles on their home turf. Aside from that, they were one of the best rushing teams in the league, mainly due to having the best running back in the league in Adrian Peterson. They also featured a fierce defense, possessing the best defensive line in the league. The biggest problem facing the Vikings was the lack, or lack-thereof a quarterback. Tavaris Jackson was thought to be the quarterback of the future for this team, until they found out he was playing not to lose. They experimented with Gus Frerotte but he didn't perform any better. Up until this week, they thought that Sage Rosenfels was going to be the answer, until they signed Brett Favre. With Favre at the helm, they may have just became one of the biggest threats in the league. Only time will tell if this works, and we may see a repeat of what Brett did last year with the Jets.
What to watch for: The most obvious point to watch for is how competitive the Cardinals come out for this game. The Vikings came to Arizona last year and embarrassed the Cardinals, who were trying to establish themselves as one of the best teams in the league at the time. Another factor to watch for is how the defense gets after Brett Favre. He torched the Cardinals in New York last year, throwing for six touchdowns. Revenge is likely to be in the air.
Key Match up: Brett Favre vs Cardinals secondary
Prediction: Win - This game could go either way. The Vikings beat us last year in our place, but hopefully the Cardinals learn from getting too comfortable with a lead in their division.
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Arizona Cardinals record after 12 games - 8-4
The Cardinals go 3-1 in part three of predicting their record, and it could have been worse. Squeaking out a win versus the Vikings can happen, and at this point in the season, the NFC West may all be a wrap. What do you think of the record so far? How likely is it that the Cardinals get revenge on the Vikings?
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I think Brett Favre is too out of shape for it to be competive.
It is easy to tell from his last game that he hasn’t played in a while, I don’t think he will be firing on all cylinders by the time the Vikings come here.
by JoeCB1991 on Aug 24, 2009 9:18 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Great breakdowns
I like the feature and like the in-depth look at your team. Good stuff. Also like to get the “general” perception of people on other teams in the NFL.
But I will say this: just about everyone running all of these NFL blogs thinks their team is going to go 10-6 or 11-5 and be in the playoff mix. And most of them are wrong. Arizona only won nine games last year, lost both coordinators, has to deal with the Super Bowl hangover, and is playing in a division in which all three other teams improved significantly over the summer. And looking at Arizona’s last four games (San Fran, Detroit, St. Louis, Green Bay) I can already see you pegging your squad for 11-5. Trouble is that it isn’t going to happen. I’m not a hater, just a realist. The average number of wins of the last 10 Super Bowl losers the next year is 7.7. And considering that the Cardinals have won nine games just twice in the last 25 years (and they maxed out at nine wins) I don’t see it happening in back-to-back years. I have Arizona as a solid 8-8.
Kee up the good work.
by Doc's Sports Predictions Guy on Aug 25, 2009 9:05 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I see your point...
That most fans want to predict their teams will have winning records and make the playoffs, and they rightfully should. 1 – They are fans of their teams and why should they predict a losing record? 2 – Any team has a chance to come out of nowhere and make it to the Super Bowl(See the Cardinals last year). As far as the record I’m predicting, it’s not what you think. As far as your prediction, the Cardinals were 8-8 2 years ago, and this year’s squad is by far better then that year. The additions the rest of the NFC West made were significant, but only Seattle will improve. The 49ers don’t have a valid quarterback, which is the most important position on the team, and the Rams will improve, but we’re talking about improving from a terrible record. This Super Bowl hangover that everybody talks about really means nothing. Teams in the 90’s never had a problem returning to the playoffs the following year in that decade and there’s no reason to think the Cardinals can’t. As far as our coordinators, Whisenhunt called plays for the Cards his first year here, which he did fine, and replacing Pendergast is actually an improvement. If you’ve ever seen a Cardinals game, Perdergast called too many exotic schemes, which was too confusing for the players at times. While I respect your opinion, I think you’re living off of the past a little too much.
Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Aug 26, 2009 10:10 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Going Point by Point:
Arizona only won nine games last year - So did the Eagles but that hasn’t stopped many ‘experts’ as labeling them as the best team in the NFC.
lost both coordinators - As Andrew said, Haley is a loss but Whiz has called plays before and the offense itself isn’t changing at all. As for Pendergast, check how bad of a scoring defense they were. They can’t possibly get any worse.
has to deal with the Super Bowl hangover - That very easy to throw out and impossible to defend. You could also cite turnover in playoff teams every year. Trends are trends but they’re not valid points for discussing the talent or potential of a football team.
is playing in a division in which all three other teams improved significantly – So did the Cardinals and who’s to say that the Cardinals didn’t improve themselves the most. Much better secondary, a running game that should be improved and an offensive line that is gelling.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
by Bezekira on Aug 26, 2009 1:28 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m inclined to agree with a lot of the points, but picking wins and losses has the feelings of a suicide mission. Watching the Cardinals make the SB and Miami swinging from a 1-win to a playoff team in a single offseason has left me spinning.
by superpsck on Aug 27, 2009 8:03 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
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