2018 Arizona Cardinals predictions from the Revenge of the Birds staff

It is that time once again for the Arizona Cardinals and the rest of the NFL to get back into the swing of things.

The Cardinals come in with a myriad of ranging expectations, from potential worst team in the NFL, to sleeper playoff contender.

What do we here at Revenge of the Birds think?

Glad you asked:

Blake Murphy -

The Cardinals might be the toughest team to predict in the NFL this year given that this team and defense went 8-8 with Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert at quarterback for half the season and without David Johnson. They stand to improve in many areas under Wilks on defense and special teams but still have some of the same questions at receiver and pass rush after Larry Fitzgerald and Chandler Jones. The Bradford/Rosen dynamic of an injury-prone veteran and promising young quarterback who’s still ultimately a rookie means that this season comes down to the consistency and play of the offensive line. I see some growing pains and tough matchups late in the season but overall a team on the rise, finishing with a 9-7 record.

Tyler Nickel -

I don’t have a ton of expectations for the Arizona Cardinals this season, mostly because I don’t really know what to expect. There are a lot of ‘what-ifs’ and ‘hopefully’ wishes for this season. At this point, sign me up for a 6-10 or 7-9 season. As long as Josh Rosen can develop from the bench (or on the field if called to do so), then I am fine with it. This is definitely a bridge year.

John Buckley -

Record: 7-9. I’m gonna stick with my prediction from earlier in the week. The team is heading in the right direction, but the schedule is too tough and our depth is too thin to be thinking playoffs in Year 1 of the Wilks era. A record around .500 sounds about right—although I’d be very happy to be wrong!

Walter Mitchell -

Abstaining: I am superstitious about making predictions about the Cardinals. I hope you don’t mind---it’s not that I care about being right or wrong---I just don’t want to jinx my team.

Redbird Thunder -

I know this might seem negative, but there is alot to ask of first time HC Steve Wilks with a rookie DC, substantial roster turnover and a tough road schedule. That doesn’t mean I don’t think the Redbirds are on a good path, but like all good things, it takes time and patience. Prediction: 5-11

Andy Kwong -

Here’s a quote from Eagles’ Head Coach Doug Pederson to keep in mind:

“An individual can make a difference, but a team makes a miracle.”

If the offensive line can protect the quarterback and open holes for the running back, this offense will be able to do anything with any player. The defense is coming off a preseason with a record-setting 17 turnovers and has been ranked a top 10 unit the past two years. I feel that Steve Wilks has put a system in place where any player can come in and succeed. An injury can be a big setback but it is the collective effort of the team as a whole to continue moving forward. There will be some growing pains but the confidence that Wilks instilled in his players will take this team far.

Prediction: 9-7

Seth Cox -

This is a season of the unknowns. What do the Cardinals have in Steve Wilks? Can Mike McCoy find his magic as OC again? Is Al Holcomb and his staff cutout for life as the playcaller? What about Ray Brown, is he really a magician or are the Cardinals cursed along the OL? I don’t know the answer to any of these and that doesn’t even begin to enter the questions about Sam Bradford and his health or who will throw to. Yet, with so much up in the air, you feel like the balance of talent on defense, along with David Johnson on offense is enough to keep you in games. 7-9