We're in a TOUGH SPOT now.....

[ajcardfan]

If things were reversed -- SF leading the division by two games and about to play the
Vikes, the Cards about to play Seattle -- do you think the 9'er fans would be moaning about the TOUGH SPOT they were in?

Nope.

I understand: The Cardinals have been heart-breakers for years. But it's time that we acknowledged the reality. This is a good team. Barring a meltdown, it wins its division.

Life is good.

Right on.


Other than last year, at the first of December we're usually going over a) almost impossible scenarios to make the playoffs and/or b) draft needs and prospects.


I'll take this kind of "tough spot" every single year.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

They are 10-1, Cardinals are 7-4.
They are scoring 31.1 points/game, the Cardinals 24.3.
They are allowing 18.5 points/game, the Cardinals 19.7.
They have a point differential of +139, the Cardinals +50.
Favre - 25TD/3INt 112.1 rating, Warner - 20TD/11INT 94.4 rating.
Jackson - 124 rating, Leinart - 76
Peterson/Taylor - 1,329 13TD's, Hightower/Wells - 974 10TD's.
Vikings WR trio - 1,972 13TD's, Cardinals - 2,072 14TD's.
Shiancoe - 375 9TD, Becht/Patrick/Spach - 184 1TD.
Vikings defense - 38 sacks, Cardinals - 31
Vikings defense - 9 interceptions, Cardinals - 11
Vikings defense - 17 forced fumbles, Cardinals - 10
Vikings o-line - 22 sacks(5.6%), Cardinals - 18 sacks(4.0%)
Vikings o-line - 4.3 ypa rushing, Cardinals - 4.1

That's a lot of purple. Any given Sunday of course, but on paper they are clearly "better".

Minnesota is a good team. So are we.

Minnesota has played 4 games against teams that are 2-9 or worse. We have played 1. Though we have not played a world class schedule, theirs has been ridiculously easy. Their opponents are 45-76 (.372 winning pct), ours 55-66 (.455). I'm not putting them down but I'm also not sure they are THAT good, plus we are home. We can win this game.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

we've got a 2 game lead with 5 to play. I would say SF is in the tough position. Even moreso when you consider two of our 5 are against STL. and DET. So we'd have to lose the remaining 3 and SF win all 5 of their games. Yet the Cards are the one's that have it tough . please explain.

 

[moklerman]

we've got a 2 game lead with 5 to play. I would say SF is in the tough position. Even moreso when you consider two of our 5 are against STL. and DET. So we'd have to lose the remaining 3 and SF win all 5 of their games. Yet the Cards are the one's that have it tough . please explain.

SF has Seattle, StL and Detroit as well. If they win against the Cardinals they only have to tie the Cardinals record. Which they would both likely be 7-6 at that point.

 

[WildBB]

This turn of events will only make the MNF win over SF even sweeter. Slam the door in their faces!

If we can't win that game, then we don't belong in the playoffs anyway.

Exactly! Losing a tough fought game to the Titans, who played VERY HARD, is not a blemish on this team. If we lose more tough fought games, WITH or without Warner (his presence didn't guarantee nothing yesterday) then we didn't belong anyway.

This team needs to come out on top on some close ones in order prove their meddle and prepare for the showdowns. Yesterday was a good step in preparing, albeit we came out on the short end. Hard fought, that's what it will come down to, Warner or no Warner. We can't put all our eggs in one basket!

 

[WildBB]

Right on.


Other than last year, at the first of December we're usually going over a) almost impossible scenarios to make the playoffs and/or b) draft needs and prospects.


I'll take this kind of "tough spot" every single year.

Yep, everyone who said the Titans couldn't hang yesterday we're dead OFF. They came out and gave us everything they had. They have a lot of talent on that team.

This makes for some seriously (although heart pounding) Great football for the fans. Too many have gotten spoiled already.

We need to keep this team HEALTHY. Find a way to close out the close ones more CONSISTENTLY. Then we''ll be ready for the real BATTLE. Right now is still the preliminary.

 

[moklerman]

Yep, everyone who said the Titans couldn't hang yesterday we're dead OFF. They came out and gave us everything they had. They have a lot of talent on that team.

I think most of those opinions were based on Warner being in the lineup. And I still don't think the Titans would have been able to hang if the Cardinals just put up their average(24+) which I think they would have done with Warner.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

SF has Seattle, StL and Detroit as well. If they win against the Cardinals they only have to tie the Cardinals record. Which they would both likely be 7-6 at that point.

Still, SF is a below .500 team.It's not like we have the '73 Dolphins or '07 Pats chasing us. To assume a sub .500 team with a very sketchy offense is going to win out, which they likely have to do, is kind of a reach in my book. I guess it's possible but it goes back to my point that they are in a much togher position than the Cards.Especially, when they have to beat the Cards and then go and win at Philly.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

All of a sudden, things aren't as rosy as we thought. We play Minny next week in primetime, and probably won't win. Meanwhile, San Fran plays Seattle. I can see the Niners winning, meaning our MNF game @ San Fran is for 1st place in the division.....if my predictions come true.

Bump.

You feeling any better about things this week?

 

[RedViper]

I'll play along: I wouldn't say we are in a tough spot at this point. Nevertheless we haven't done anything yet. The division is still up for grabs. SF isn't going to roll over for us by any means. To his credit KW did everything he could in his comments last night to remind the team of that. Its not over yet.

 

[JeffGollin]

Full Confession

I was terrified of this game.

Minnesota seemed to be the most talented team - in all aspects of play - that we'd come up against (& that includes Indy) and we were coming off that tough loss to the Titans.

The CW had us losing and SF beating Seattle - meaning we'd be in second place in our division unless we beat SF next week in their house.

I was wrong about the Cardinals. They stood up to the challenge, stomped on the proverbial wine-glass and crushed it into smithereens*

And the SF loss to Seattle was icing on the cake.

Goes to show you how often conventional wisdom is flat-out wrong.

*A Jewish wedding tradition.

 

[DieHardCardFan]

I thought about this thread on my way home from the stadium last night. Glad someone dug it back up. Go Cards!

 

[Doug]

Sit back relax and ENJOY HISTORY BEING MADE.THE CARDINAL WAY...PATIENCE FINALLY PAY'S OFF THIS YEAR.THANKYOU IN ADVANCE COACH WHIZ!!!!!ITS ONLY GONNA GET BETTER AND BETTER.HOPE YOU'RE ALL GETTING IT ON DVD AS IT HAPPENS.You can show your Grandkids."SHOCK THE WORLD"...Who knew it would come a year later?

 

[40yearfan]

I'll play along: I wouldn't say we are in a tough spot at this point. Nevertheless we haven't done anything yet. The division is still up for grabs. SF isn't going to roll over for us by any means. To his credit KW did everything he could in his comments last night to remind the team of that. Its not over yet.

I wouldn't call having 8 wins and 4 losses at this point in the season doing nothing yet. We've set ourselves up to win the division by the 13th week of a 16 week season. Not very many other teams in that position.

 

[Renz]

I'll play along: I wouldn't say we are in a tough spot at this point. Nevertheless we haven't done anything yet. The division is still up for grabs. SF isn't going to roll over for us by any means. To his credit KW did everything he could in his comments last night to remind the team of that. Its not over yet.

Really? What do you think the odds are that SF makes up a 3 game deficit in 4 games? Pretty much zero.

 

[D-Dogg]

I wouldn't call having 8 wins and 4 losses at this point in the season doing nothing yet. We've set ourselves up to win the division by the 13th week of a 16 week season. Not very many other teams in that position.

With an outside shot of getting a first round bye if we run the table and the Vikes lose two games.

 

[ajcardfan]

Really? What do you think the odds are that SF makes up a 3 game deficit in 4 games? Pretty much zero.

If we win even one more game, they have to run the table. That's how improbable it is.

 

[Duckjake]

That was the greatest game any Cardinal team has ever played. How can anyone doubt this team? Or still think we can still be a great team without Anquan Boldin, Darnell Dockett, and Karlos Dansby.

Guys people on this board love to bash.

 

[RedViper]

Really? What do you think the odds are that SF makes up a 3 game deficit in 4 games? Pretty much zero.

Again its not over yet. Look at Denver last year. I understand we are in a good spot. But really truly its not over. And this team better keep it in mind. Kurt's words last night were to the effect, "all we did was win a big game in the middle of the season." I'm with Kurt on this one. Don't let me stop you from cracking your own champaign bottle. That's not my way.

 

[red desert]

With an outside shot of getting a first round bye if we run the table and the Vikes lose two games.

That's what i'm thinking.

 

[lauraw]

I don't think we need the bye-Last year we played better at the end without a bye, and we are a better overall team this year than last..

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

You ALWAYS want the bye. You're a home game away from playing for the conference title.

 

[Proteus]

You ALWAYS want the bye. You're a home game away from playing for the conference title.

3 out of the 4 teams with a bye lost their 1st playoff game last season.

 

[sportznutt]

I was terrified of this game.

Minnesota seemed to be the most talented team - in all aspects of play - that we'd come up against (& that includes Indy) and we were coming off that tough loss to the Titans.

The CW had us losing and SF beating Seattle - meaning we'd be in second place in our division unless we beat SF next week in their house.

I was wrong about the Cardinals. They stood up to the challenge, stomped on the proverbial wine-glass and crushed it into smithereens*

And the SF loss to Seattle was icing on the cake.

Goes to show you how often conventional wisdom is flat-out wrong.

*A Jewish wedding tradition.

Agree completely

 

[D-Dogg]

You ALWAYS want the bye. You're a home game away from playing for the conference title.

And one upset away from hosting the conference title game.