The Cards are going to have to grow up to be able to beat the not-top shelf teams on this schedule. Home games against San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Buffalo, and Miami should be winnable if the team can perform like professionals. But that didn't happen last season as much as it should have.
Similarly, a team with a consistent roster should be able to beat a team like the Jets or the Redskins, even on the road (it would be a great accomplishment if they beat both). Every team should win after their bye week, so this team should beat Carolina. But, again, this team put up little fight after their bye week against Tampa last year. Beating presumably weaker teams like St. Louis and San Francisco on the road is something that playoff teams ought to do.
That's nine wins if the Cards take care of business. If that happens, they won't have to worry about upsetting Seattle on the road, or the Giants, Eagles, or Pats.
Cards MUST start fast this season. A 1-3 beginning might be difficult to overcome.