The Arizona Cardinals are mired in a hotly contested NFC West battle. With both the division and a Wild Card spot possibilities, what should fans be rooting for to put the Cardinals in the best position for a playoff appearance?
The Division Is Slipping Away From the Cardinals
Thursday Night Football did the Cardinals no favors. The San Francisco 49ers’ season was already on life support. They weren’t a real threat based on what the Cardinals need to happen anyway. San Francisco’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams dropped the Cardinals’ chances to win the division to just 10.9%, according to the PFN Playoff Predictor.
The Cardinals are now two wins behind both the Rams and Seattle Seahawks. Based on the way the schedule plays out, it is highly unlikely the Cardinals will have the tiebreaker over either. The Rams and Seahawks also will play each other again, essentially guaranteeing one of them gets to nine wins. That forces the Cardinals to win out to have any shot at the division.
As for a Wild Card spot, that’s slightly more probable. The Cardinals have a 16.9% chance of making the playoffs. What could happen this week that would serve to increase those odds?
What Teams Do the Cardinals Want To Win in Week 15?
New Orleans Saints (vs. Washington Commanders), Sunday 1:00 P.M. ET
The Saints are currently 5-8, putting them only one game behind the Cardinals. Even so, they are not a team the Cardinals need to concern themselves with. The Commanders are currently in possession of the final Wild Card spots, which is what the Cardinals are chasing.
The 8-5 Commanders taking a loss, combined with a Cardinals win, would narrow the deficit to just one game.
Unfortunately, the Commanders are touchdown favorites on the road against a Saints team that will be starting Jake Haener at quarterback due to the fact Derek Carr is dealing with a broken left hand, as well as a concussion.
Carolina Panthers (vs. Dallas Cowboys) Sunday, 1:00 P.M. ET
At 3-10, the Panthers have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. So, their wins can only help.
The Cowboys aren’t exactly a real threat to the Cardinals. Any team behind the Cardinals in the standings is only a minor concern. But at 5-8, they’re certainly closer to being a problem than the Panthers. The outcome of this game isn’t of huge importance, though.
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Sunday, 4:25 P.M. ET
The Bucs are leading the NFC South, which obviously would render them moot to the Cardinals should they win it. However, with a one-game lead on the Falcons and lacking the tiebreaker, that could easily flip.
At 7-6, Tampa Bay is only one game ahead of the Cardinals. The two could end up even in record after this week, which would only serve to help Arizona. Any AFC team beating an NFC playoff contender benefits all other NFC playoff hopefuls.
Green Bay Packers (at Seattle Seahawks) Sunday, 8:20 P.M. ET
The Seahawks are winners of four straight and in control of the NFC West for now. But that could change and the winner of this division could easily end up being 9-8.
With the Packers already possessing nine wins, the Cardinals need to assume they won’t be able to catch them. Therefore, it would be better for Arizona if the 8-5 Seahawks fell to 8-6. That would put the Cardinals in striking distance for both the division and the Wild Card.
Given Seattle’s remaining schedule, it’s quite conceivable that the Seahawks could lose three of their last four and finish 9-8. Meanwhile, the 6-7 Cardinals could win out and get to 10-7. Unfortunately, if both teams finish 9-8, the Seahawks would likely possess the tiebreaker. However, finishing with a better record than Seattle is far more plausible than besting Green Bay’s mark.
Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Atlanta Falcons) Monday, 8:30 P.M. ET
The Falcons’ season is quickly unraveling, as Kirk Cousins’ play has fallen off a cliff recently. But they remain in a better position than the Cardinals. Not only are they a game ahead, but they have the tiebreaker based on a vastly superior conference record.
Given that the Raiders are in the AFC, it doesn’t matter if they win. So, it would benefit the Cardinals for any potential competition for the last Wild Card spot to lose when facing an AFC team.
