Pft Preseason Power Rankings: No. 18

[Lloydian]

Doesn't Detroit hold this?

In 1999, Detroit took their awe inspiring 8-8 record into the wild card round where Washington promptly beat them 27-13. Buffalo also last reached in '99 and Houston has never reached in their four years.

What also annoys me is the exclusion of 1982 because of the strike shortened season from consideration. It may have been strike shortened, and more teams may have made it, but Minnesota, St. Louis and Tampa Bay would all have been in contention for that final spot.

Also, pointing out that they have only hit once (really twice) in 30 years is misleading on multiple points. In 1976, their 10-4 record missed the playoffs on tiebreakers in an era when only 8 teams made the postseason. And the number is required to be 30 in order to avoid including their division wins (combined 21-7) in 1974 and 1975.

Granted, I hated the Cardinals in the '70s (living in Dallas, and only St. Louis made the Cowboys wear their unlucky blue uniforms), but they have seldom been as inept as people describe. Under Joe Bugel, they were the best sub-500 team in the NFL (if that's a good thing).

 

[Totally_Red]

[[[But barring a major injury to one or more key players, the Seahawks will win the division going away. So then the question will be whether the Cards can snag a wild card berth. Even though the NFC has generally become the AFC's eight-beer ******, the numbers don't favor Arizona. With four legitimate contenders in the East and three in the South, the Cardinals will need to rack up plenty of wins in a schedule that includes games against the Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Cowboys, and Falcons.]]]

Yeah, but!! What the writer fails to note is that this season the NFC East and NFC South play each other in Interconference matchups, meaning they get to knock each other off, while the NFC West gets to feast on the NFC North, which while improved, is still arguably the weakest division in football. Also, the Cardinals get KC and Denver at home, a big advantage, especially since both Denver and KC, are very difficult venues for visitors.

Barring injury, it's entirely realistic to hope for a playoff spot, and a longshot chance at the division, if Seattle stumbles. Of course, the Seahawks have a relatively ligh schedule as well.
s

 

[Lloydian]

...and a longshot chance at the division...

Longshot?! Longshot?! 15-1, baby!