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Alright, it's time to analyze the Cardinals season before things get started. We might see some panic from Cardinal fans early but we're gonna have to be patient. Yes I'm aware the patients is running out for most fans in Arizona but wait just a little while longer before you throw in the towel on the Cards. Let me explain…

We could have deja vu of the 2006 season where the Cardinals started out 1-7 for the first 8 games. I'm not saying Arizona will be 1-7 again but the record could be similar. The Cards won their first game against San Francisco then lost 7 straight last year and it appears that could happen again. It could even be worst if we lose the Monday night opener to the 49ers. This first game in San Fran will be huge for a few reasons, but most importantly the Cardinals might start 0-6 if they lose that game. As we all know losing is contagious and with a lost to the 49ers the Cardinals will have plenty of trouble pulling off a win in the follow 5 games. The Cardinals after the 49ers will play the Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, and the Carolina Panthers. If you look at those games it's not crazy to think the Cardinals could start out 0-6 or 1-5, but That's being very pessimistic. Will be able to see what the Cardinals are made of right away, my guess is Arizona will go into the bye week 3-4 and I could live with that. The second half of the Cardinals schedule is much easier and should lead to a sub 500 record putting them at about 8-8 for the season.

Like with most teams the key games will be the ones in the division. The non conference record for the Cardinals should be 5-5 from what I see. If the Cardinals go 4-2 in the conference like last year they will make the playoffs at 9-7. If they go 3-3 like im predicting they will go 8-8. If they struggle in the division they will go 7-9 or 6-10. This is why the opening game against the 49ers could tell where the Cardinals finish up their season. In order to make the playoffs the Cards would have to sweep the series against San Francisco most likely and split the other games in the division. A lost to the 49ers would be a huge disappointment and would require a sweep against one of the other division opponents or one or 2 upsets outside the division. Either way a lost in the opener could spell trouble for the first few games of the season. Like I said a slow start should be expected but if the Cardinals can hold it together till the bye week we might see a run at the playoffs. So lets be patient as fans one more time and not jump to conclusions even though that's exactly what I just did with my predictions. But hey I also have to tell myself sometimes to relax and not get ahead of whats happening. Right now this is all speculation and is what I see happening, the only guarantee I can give is that the unexpected will happen a few times this season. I just hope what's unexpected is in a positive way for Arizona this year.

Original post by Eli Wahlstrom

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