It is officially prediction season, where if I’m right, I get to brag about it, but if I’m wrong, trolls will eat me alive. Let’s do some game by game NFC West predictions. I’ll go in alphabetical order, starting with the Cardinals.
Week 1: New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals
The first week of the season gives us a great potential Super Bowl preview. The Patriots will be without Tom Brady, and the Cards will get it done against Jimmy Garoppolo and co.
Prediction: Cardinals 27 Patriots 20
Week 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals riding high after their win over the Pats look to keep it going. And they do, exploiting the weak Buccaneers defense,
Prediction: Cardinals 34 Buccaneers 20
Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills
In their first road game, the Cardinals will be facing a defense looking to rebound in year two under Rex Ryan. However, that doesn’t happen, as the Cardinals get a few scores and let their defense do the rest.
Prediction: Cardinals 23 Bills 10
Week 4: Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals
The Rams upset the Cardinals in Arizona a year ago, and will be looking to do it again. However, the Cardinals are more prepared this time, and send the Rams back to their new home with a blowout.
Prediction: Cardinals 34 Rams 10
Week 5: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers defense holds its own against a tough Cardinals offense. However, Cardinals lackluster offense doesn’t hurt them, easily squashing the 49ers offense, improving to 5-0.
Prediction: Cardinals 20 49ers 9.
Week 6: New York Jets at Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals take their undefeated record into an interconference duel with the Jets. The Cardinals start strong, but then the Jets defense wakes up and a late score allows the Jets to pull of the upset, ending the Cardinals’ undefeated bid,
Prediction: Jets 23 Cardinals 19
Week 7: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals, angry from their defeat a week earlier, take out their frustration on a Seahawks team that humiliated them in Arizona last year. The Seahawks make it look respectable, but the Cardinals roll.
Prediction: Cardinals 28 Seahawks 17
Week 8: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
The Cardinals play the Panthers closer than they did in the NFC Championship game. However, closer still means a blowout, as the Panthers come out slinging and show the Cardinals who’s boss once again.
Prediction: Panthers 36 Cardinals 14
Week 10: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
Coming off a bye, the Cardinals jump all over the 49ers early in their rematch and don’t let up. The 49ers fail to show any signs of life and the Cardinals roll.
Prediction: Cardinals 31 49ers 13
Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
Riding high at 7-2, the Cardinals head to the newly built U.S. Bank Stadium, and quickly realize the Vikings are not a foe to be underestimated. The Vikings defense gets to Palmer throughout the game. and the Vikings show that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Prediction: Vikings 26 Cardinals 16
Week 12: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons
Their second game in a row in the eastern time zone goes according to plan for the Cardinals. They shut down Julio Jones and make the Falcons pay with a few late scores on defense, putting the game away.
Prediction: Cardinals 24 Falcons 14
Week 13: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals show the best of the NFC East that their division is limp and pathetic, as the Cardinals take advantage of Redskins mistakes and dominate.
Prediction: Cardinals 30 Redskins 17
Week 14: Arizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins
Miami’s anemic offense comes out flat and the Cardinals take advantage, cruising to victory.
Prediction: Cardinals 27 Dolphins 7
Week 15: New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals
Drew Brees comes out slinging and catches the Cardinals off guard. Despite the bad day on defense, the Cardinals light up the Saints defense more, winning a shootout.
Prediction: Cardinals 37 Saints 27
Week 16: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Contrary to week 15, the Cardinals duel the Seahawks in a defensive slugfest, pulling out a win with a late score and sweeping the season series.
Prediction: Cardinals 16 Seahawks 13
Week 17: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
The Cardinals, having clinched a first round bye, choose to pull their starters at halftime. The Rams take advantage and win a close game late over the Cardinals B team.
Prediction: Rams 20 Cardinals 19
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Steelers07
The weather outside is great, AMIRITE?