The Season is at Hand

[traveler]

Every year there is one game that defines the season. This is The must win game of the year. The difference between 3 and 5, and 4 and 4 is staggering. This year however, I feel better about it. I truly think the Cards will respond, but that tenacious little QB and that Howdy Dowdy coach just haunt me. When was the last time the Cards were 4 and 4? I think in 98 they were 3 and 5. A loss here, and no matter how you sugar coat it, we all know where we're going. It's time to use the Secret. The Cardinals Will win.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

http://arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=100978

I personally don't think this is a must win game. It would make things easier.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

http://arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=100978

I personally don't think this is a must win game. It would make things easier.

Only one team has made the playoffs starting 3-5 since the year 2000, or 1% of teams. This is a must win.

Do you really think the Cards are that 1%?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Only one team has made the playoffs starting 3-5 since the year 2000, or 1% of teams. This is a must win.

Do you really think the Cards are that 1%?

Nope.

But that was before I drank from the spring of statistical knowledge that is dreamcastrocks.

So I guess this is must win.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Nope.

But that was before I drank from the spring of statistical knowledge that is dreamcastrocks.

So I guess this is must win.

I don't know about that...

It has been discussed in other threads, and it was a graphic last week during the Bears game.

 

[slanidrac16]

Not only this weeks game , but next weeks game vs the Lions is a must win.
1. It's a division opponent.
2. At this point we are chasing both teams for a wild card spot.
3. Tiebreakers

If we are as good as we hope we are these are 2 games we need to get a victory. After 10 weeks we would be sitting at 5-4 , ahead of the Bucs and by that time perhaps tied with the Lions and Seattle.

Seattle is going to have their hands full in Cleveland.

Bottom line , if we lose Sunday we fall to 3-5 and would have to win 6 out of last 8 games to get to 9-7.
I just don't see that happening.

Our playoffs start Sunday.

 

[chicards11]

Not only this weeks game , but next weeks game vs the Lions is a must win.
1. It's a division opponent.
2. At this point we are chasing both teams for a wild card spot.
3. Tiebreakers

If we are as good as we hope we are these are 2 games we need to get a victory. After 10 weeks we would be sitting at 5-4 , ahead of the Bucs and by that time perhaps tied with the Lions and Seattle.

Seattle is going to have their hands full in Cleveland.

Bottom line , if we lose Sunday we fall to 3-6 and would have to win 6 out of last 7 games to get to 9-7.
I just don't see that happening.

Our playoffs start Sunday.

you're a drama queen..... take it easy. They're a better team than tb. The real test will be detroit. We have been "tested" since week one....they will be ready and healthy. What this team needs is a good old fashioned ass-kicking so they can rest some guys in the forth.

Lay off the "season ends today" talk. Dont be dramatic

 

[dreamcastrocks]

you're a drama queen..... take it easy. They're a better team than tb. The real test will be detroit. We have been "tested" since week one....they will be ready and healthy. What this team needs is a good old fashioned ass-kicking so they can rest some guys in the forth.

Lay off the "season ends today" talk. Dont be dramatic

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1534052&postcount=3

 

[Mulli]

I can't bring myself to even hope for the playoffs. Right now, I would settle for avoiding 5-11 or 6-10.

 

[JeffGollin]

http://arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=100978

I personally don't think this is a must win game. It would make things easier.

Just as there are "trap games" on a schedule, I believe there should be another category called "False 'Must' Games."

Certainly, "on paper" certain games seem more important than others (either because we have an easy opponent, we're playing a division rival or the outcome would significantly impact our current W&L record).

But, at the end of the season - when you tally up the W's & L's - each game is equal to every other game. Certainly, when you beat a division foe, you gain another "W" and they're stuck with another "L."

But if you give away an easy win to a non-division rival and your division-rival steals a win from a tougher foe, it puts both teams back to ground zero. This happens a lot during a typical season. Teams going nowhere by mid-season suddenly find themselves later on in the midst of a playoff hunt. And you find that teams that looked surefire for the playoffs have mysteriously fallen below the horizon line.

The danger in so-called "must games" is that they set up teams for total collapse should they lose them. It's a bad mindset for a team to have. But there are certain teams in the NFL who treat the entire season (and each of the 16 games) like the Energizer Bunny - they just keep plodding ahead- stealing a game, giving one away, winning a close one, being blown out etc. etc. until, low & behold, they wake up in late Dec. and find they're 9 & 7 or 10 & 6.

That's how it works.

In addition to not believing in "must games" from a W &L standpoint, I do believe that "how well we play" in each game is a pretty good indicator of how we'll do in each subsequent game.

 

[slanidrac16]

you're a drama queen..... take it easy. They're a better team than tb. The real test will be detroit. We have been "tested" since week one....they will be ready and healthy. What this team needs is a good old fashioned ass-kicking so they can rest some guys in the forth.

Lay off the "season ends today" talk. Dont be dramatic

Drama queen? I prefer to look at myself as a realist. I've been saying for 2 weeks we WILL beat Tampa. However, that being said, a loss will put a major crimp in any kind of playoff hopes. Thats not being dramatic. It's being real.

A loss Sunday would put us at 3-5 and labeled also rans. You don't have to see it that way, but I do. The season doesn't end Sunday with a loss. But the hopes of a second season might.

 

[Totally_Red]

Drama queen? I prefer to look at myself as a realist. I've been saying for 2 weeks we WILL beat Tampa. However, that being said, a loss will put a major crimp in any kind of playoff hopes. Thats not being dramatic. It's being real.

A loss Sunday would put us at 3-6 and labeled also rans. You don't have to see it that way, but I do. The season doesn't end Sunday with a loss. But the hopes of a second season might.

How can we rack up two losses Sunday? I know the zebras don't treat us kindly, but short of Roger Goodell forcing a forfeit of an earlier game (which would make it 2-6) I don't see the Cardinals losing twice on Sunday.

 

[slanidrac16]

How can we rack up two losses Sunday? I know the zebras don't treat us kindly, but short of Roger Goodell forcing a forfeit of an earlier game (which would make it 2-6) I don't see the Cardinals losing twice on Sunday.

Opps! I fixed that. But if there is any way to lose twice in one Sunday , you got to admit, we would probably be the team to do it!

 

[slanidrac16]

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1534052&postcount=3

Perhaps you would like to join my drama queen club.

 

[CardinalChris]

Well, the issue being that the next two opponants are our likely opponants for a wild card spot, so wins go a long way to improving our odds. Must win? Those happen in weeks 14 through 17. I know what people say "We can win our division". Yes, that is true we are a game behind. But we probably would have to win in seattle to garauntee it unless Seattle just crumbles. I know our schedule is easy down the road. But I have to tell you, Seattles is pretty easy also. Winning the division isn't going to be easy with the games we have given away and Seattle's talent. Our easy schedule is juicy, but negated by Seattle's own easy schedule.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Not only this weeks game , but next weeks game vs the Lions is a must win.
1. It's a division opponent.
2. At this point we are chasing both teams for a wild card spot.
3. Tiebreakers

If we are as good as we hope we are these are 2 games we need to get a victory. After 10 weeks we would be sitting at 5-4 , ahead of the Bucs and by that time perhaps tied with the Lions and Seattle.

Seattle is going to have their hands full in Cleveland.

Bottom line , if we lose Sunday we fall to 3-5 and would have to win 6 out of last 8 games to get to 9-7.
I just don't see that happening.

Our playoffs start Sunday.

First I just want to ask, since when are Tampa or Detroit in the West?

Secondly, I agree we need to win the next two games. Not for the Wild Card race though. I really think that the division winner in the West will be the only team in the division going to the playoffs. There are too many other teams that will have better records. Chicago or Detroit will take one WC as will Dallas/NY.

I think if we can establish our ground game early and not get murdered by Galloway we will be Tampa. Detroit is a horrible road team and while their passing game is great, their secondary is actually worse than ours. We will prevail.

 

[slanidrac16]

First I just want to ask, since when are Tampa or Detroit in the West?

Secondly, I agree we need to win the next two games. Not for the Wild Card race though. I really think that the division winner in the West will be the only team in the division going to the playoffs. There are too many other teams that will have better records. Chicago or Detroit will take one WC as will Dallas/NY.

I think if we can establish our ground game early and not get murdered by Galloway we will be Tampa. Detroit is a horrible road team and while their passing game is great, their secondary is actually worse than ours. We will prevail.

I see your point. But in this crazy NFC I feel a wild card spot is not out of the question. As you said , Detroit is a horrible road team and in 3 weeks could 5-5. There are so many teams with question marks that I can only assume these next two game could loom large as tie breakers for a final wild card spot. We are ahead of Chicago and 2 behind the Lions , so I cannot assume either 1 of those teams have a wild card spot locked up.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

But we probably would have to win in seattle to garauntee it (winning the division)unless Seattle just crumbles. I know our schedule is easy down the road. But I have to tell you, Seattles is pretty easy also. Winning the division isn't going to be easy with the games we have given away and Seattle's talent. Our easy schedule is juicy, but negated by Seattle's own easy schedule.

I totally agree.

If we take care of business before hand, then our game against the Seahawks in Seattle will be the biggest game this team has seen in a long time.

Also, I think Seattle's schedule is much easier than ours.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I see your point. But in this crazy NFC I feel a wild card spot is not out of the question. As you said , Detroit is a horrible road team and in 3 weeks could 5-5. There are so many teams with question marks that I can only assume these next two game could loom large as tie breakers for a final wild card spot. We are ahead of Chicago and 2 behind the Lions , so I cannot assume either 1 of those teams have a wild card spot locked up.

All good points. Nice job.

 

[RedViper]

I don't think this is a must win game. I don't give a rats arse about the stats. We can afford 3 more losses. I think we can use one of them up in the next two games. Half of our home games take place after thanksgiving, so I think we have an excellent chance to finish strong. If we don't beat either TB or Detroit though, I'll agree we are probably finished. That, and Warner has to hold together. If so, at the very least we will be in the running in December, maybe all the way to the last week. That has barely ever happened for us, and it will be fun as hell if it does.

 

[Duckjake]

I know of a team that recently made the playoffs after starting 5-6, didn't finish the season with a winning record, lost to the Cardinals 31-7, and still won a wildcard game to advance to the Divisional Playoff.

The NFC is really weak this year so it ain't over til it's over.

EDIT: Looking at that 31-7 score I remember the Cards beating a team 20-7 and 38-0 one season and that team made it to the SuperBowl. So look for Pitt to pull the upset and make the AFC Championship game.

 

[Rivercard]

I personally don't think this is a must win game.

It all depends on what Seattle does. Right now the Cards control their own destiny. If we lose Sunday and go down 2 games in the division, considering The Hawks easy schedule things won't look so good anymore.

 

[Rivercard]

I know our schedule is easy down the road.

Easy?? I only see 3 "easy" games of the remaining 9 (and 1 of those is to a team that already beat us this season!). Unless our heroes with the bird on their helmets play better down the stretch, we'll be fortunate to win 1 of the remaining road games. And it's a coin flip with Cleveland and Detroit at home.

 

[chickenhead]

No, it's not must-win in the sense that it's an elimination game, but at some point a team needs to give itself a reasonable shot at the playoffs. Even though every game is worth the same, I assume it's statistically unlikely that an 8-0 team would finish 0-8, or the reverse. We definitely do see teams mirror a losing first half with a winning second half (especially after injuries and with a favorable schedule) but can we do that? Based on this season so far, I think that needing to go 6-2 and 7-1 in the second half is unreasonable.

 

[chicards11]

nobody is saying this game isnt important....but to say this one and only game is the make or break point of the season is nuts. So if they lose sunday you will give up hope on the season?......no more optimistic talk?

c'mon, get real. TB game is bigh....but not make or break----the SEASON is make or break.....and that san fran game is going to come back to bite us