Let’s clear our heads.

[slanidrac16]

Losing sucks, especially when you feel it’s a game we should have won.

However, looking back gets us nothing. It all comes down to the remaining 5 games and 3 of them are against our division opponents.

Every team in the west has lost 6 games. We could win the last 5 games as well as we could lose the last 5 games. Neither is likely. If we beat Seattle next week we are tied for first place with 4 to go.

How much more were we really expecting? In 5 weeks we will either be in the playoffs or we will have 3 months to talk about free agency, 4 months to talk about the draft and 7 months to talk about camp.

I’m going to try to clear my head and look forward to next week where we might all be rejoicing being in first place with 4 games to go. We are playing meaningful games in December.

Im getting at least what I had hoped for.

 

[Delmar M Lewis]

As much as I want this Team to Whoop every one they have already exceeded many expectations even being this close to the playoffs

 

[slanidrac16]

As much as I want this Team to Whoop every one they have already exceeded many expectations even being this close to the playoffs

Yes. And we are still very much in the hunt. Lets embrace these last 5 games and enjoy.

 

[BACH]

I agree. We came out of the winning streak for the bye with arguebly the two hardest games left on the schedule.

4-1 in the remaining games is realistic. That's still a 10-7 season. Hard to complain about that

 

[Harry]

They played better against the Vikes than I expected. Vikes have a much better roster.

 

[slanidrac16]

I agree. We came out of the winning streak for the bye with arguebly the two hardest games left on the schedule.

4-1 in the remaining games is realistic. That's still a 10-7 season. Hard to complain about that

I don’t agree with the “ hardest games” statement. Every game here on out is going to be a dogfight. Carolina is suddenly playing better. The Pats can throw up a good game any given Sunday.
Four wins gets us in the playoffs. Three strategic wins could be good to make the playoffs. They are all going to be hard.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

They played better against the Vikes than I expected. Vikes have a much better roster.

Yeah we never win in Minnesota and usually it's a blow out. I predicted a 34-17 loss.

We are super close to being right there with the top of the conference. They desperately need to build the interior of both lines

 

[BACH]

I don’t agree with the “ hardest games” statement. Every game here on out is going to be a dogfight. Carolina is suddenly playing better. The Pats can throw up a good game any given Sunday.
Four wins gets us in the playoffs. Three strategic wins could be good to make the playoffs. They are all going to be hard.

Well... I didn't say that rest are a walkover. But objectively, a 9-2 team away and in Seattle were the two hardest games of the last 7.

 

[slanidrac16]

Well... I didn't say that rest are a walkover. But objectively, a 9-2 team away and in Seattle were the two hardest games of the last 7.

I see your point.

 

[NWMike]

Every team we lost to would all be in the playoffs if the season ended today. This team can compete but they are not talented enough to overcome mistakes. Thats what differentiates us right now.

 

[GeorgiaCard88]

I don’t agree with the “ hardest games” statement. Every game here on out is going to be a dogfight. Carolina is suddenly playing better. The Pats can throw up a good game any given Sunday.
Four wins gets us in the playoffs. Three strategic wins could be good to make the playoffs. They are all going to be hard.

10 may not be enough with the Seahawks controlling the division now. We have lost tiebreakers to greenbay, Washington, and Vikings. Our only path to the playoffs is in the division. Next week is a have to win for us to have a shot

 

[BritCard]

We certainly have to beat the Seahawks if we want a chance at the division.

They will have to win 2 of the 4 remaining games. That puts us at 9 wins and I'm not sure how anyone else in the division gets to 10.

If we beat the Seahawks they then have to play Green Bay and the Vikings while we play the Pats and the Panthers. The division could look very different in 3 weeks time.

 

[PJ1]

Just can’t look at yesterday as anything but a devastating loss. Sorry, it brought all of the same old Cardinal vibes back as we found several ways to blow this game. Drives me crazy.

 

[Harry]

We certainly have to beat the Seahawks if we want a chance at the division.

They will have to win 2 of the 4 remaining games. That puts us at 9 wins and I'm not sure how anyone else in the division gets to 10.

If we beat the Seahawks they then have to play Green Bay and the Vikings while we play the Pats and the Panthers. The division could look very different in 3 weeks time.

I think the Seahawks have a good shot at beating the Vikes.

 

[Harry]

My thought was always based on the offseason cap usage this was viewed as a building year. I suspect they were targeting 2025 to compete. This team overachieved. They could have traded for some bandaids, but Ossenfort stood his ground and wanted to stay focused on 2025. Even with the improvement he saw a team that even if it made the playoffs, it was a one and done. Gannon has gotten more out of this defense than anyone could have predicted. Give him a couple of impact players and you’ve got the Eagles or better. Through patience and coaching he’s developed a secondary. He’s proved you can get a pass rush without an impact rusher. The Cards should redo his contract and lock him up for the long run. He needs to improve his choice of coaches, but after what he’s done this season the top candidates will finally want to come to AZ.

 

[BritCard]

I think the Seahawks have a good shot at beating the Vikes.

I don't. No run game and a QB liable to throwing INTs when confused.

 

[DVontel]

I’m cool with making the playoffs & all, but man, I just hope it doesn’t put us in a massive hole come draft time.

The defense has been outplaying the offense & in no way am I’m faulting the defense for yesterday, but man we need a #1 pass-rusher/EDGE badly. I don’t think a single sack happened without a blitz yesterday & that seems to be consistent this whole season. Shoutout to Rallis scheming it up, but it can only get you so far. Minnesota was able to counter those blitzes & other good teams will be able to going forward. We don’t have anyone that can consistently win 1v1. Not even just talking about guys like Myles & Watt, but a Brian Burns & Danielle Hunter would do so much for this season.