The Arizona Cardinals may have picked up an important win, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves—playoff hopes remain fragile and the road to January football is far from guaranteed.
On Sunday, the Cardinals managed to secure a hard-fought victory against a struggling opponent. The win, while a positive development, does little to erase the mounting issues that have plagued this team all season long. Sure, a victory is a victory, and in the tight NFC, it’s something to celebrate. But, if we’re being honest, a single win isn’t going to change the reality that the Cardinals are still in a tough spot to make the playoffs.
1. Inconsistent Play on Both Sides of the Ball
Arizona’s offense has been a rollercoaster this year. Quarterback struggles, offensive line inconsistency, and a lack of rhythm have made it hard for the Cardinals to sustain drives or score consistently. Kyler Murray, while showing flashes of brilliance, still seems to be adjusting to the pace of the NFL after his return from injury. His mobility is there, but his decision-making and accuracy have been hit or miss. He had a solid performance in the win, but the question remains: can he do it week in and week out?
Meanwhile, the defense has been similarly up and down. They’ve shown moments of brilliance but often collapse under pressure. The secondary, in particular, has been a weak point, surrendering big plays to opposing offenses. The pass rush, once touted as a strength, has been inconsistent, and it’s clear the team needs more than a few flashes of defensive greatness to make a postseason run.
2. Strength of Schedule: The Cardinals Are Running Out of Time
One of the biggest challenges facing Arizona is the schedule ahead. The NFC playoff race is extremely tight, and the Cardinals have not been blessed with a soft remaining schedule. Sure, they have some winnable games, but they also face several playoff-caliber teams, including divisional rivals who know them better than anyone. The Cardinals’ margin for error is razor-thin, and the slightest slip-up could push them further away from a playoff spot.
Let’s not forget that even if the Cardinals can pull out a few more victories, they will still be at the mercy of tiebreakers and performances from other teams. The NFC is stacked, and unless they can rattle off a strong finish to the season, the playoffs could slip away in a matter of weeks.
3. Coaching Decisions and Lack of Identity
It’s hard to ignore the fact that Arizona has been without a clear identity for much of the season. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has shown flashes of brilliance but also has made some questionable decisions that have cost the team in key moments. The Cardinals need better game management, smarter playcalling, and a more cohesive approach to building a team identity that can withstand the pressure of a playoff push. Until Gannon’s staff proves they can consistently out-coach their opponents, doubts will continue to linger.
4. The Playoff Picture: Is it Realistic?
The bottom line is this: yes, the Cardinals’ win gives fans a glimmer of hope. But in the harsh reality of the NFL, one win is not enough to fix the myriad of issues this team faces. A 6-7 record leaves little room for error. Arizona would need to string together a number of wins while relying on favorable outcomes from other teams. History suggests that teams with a similar record at this point of the season don’t often make the playoffs. And with the NFC East and NFC North teams getting stronger and a handful of wildcard contenders ahead of them, Arizona is facing an uphill battle that, while not impossible, feels increasingly unlikely.
- In short, it would be unwise to consider the Cardinals as true contenders just yet. A single win over a low-tier opponent doesn’t suddenly transform a team with glaring flaws into a playoff squad. Arizona still has time, but the clock is ticking. Their path to the postseason is narrow, and without substantial improvement across the board, it’s tough to see them making a serious playoff run.
For now, the only certainty is this: one win isn’t enough to erase the tough road ahead. While fans should enjoy the victory, they shouldn’t let it cloud the reality that the Cardinals are still in a tough spot to make the playoffs—and without significant changes, that postseason dream may be over sooner than they think.