3 Potential Arizona Cardinals Playoff Matchups

Overtime Heroics Editorial

884 days ago

The Arizona Cardinals playoff matchups are limited at this point. It will all come down to the Week 17 game, the last of the regular season. Arizona will try to end the year above .500 but it comes against their division rival Rams. As it currently stands, Kyler Murray and Co are on the outside looking in. The best the Cardinals can do in the seeding is the No.6 seed while the worst-case scenario is no playoffs at all. Unfortunately, they have already been beaten by the Rams this year but a win in Week 17 gives them the edge in the tie-breaker. They’ve beaten one of the possible Cardinals playoff matchups already but the NFC could be quite competitive this year.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury can chalk this season up as a success overall compared to last year, partly from the blockbuster trade to get wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. A deep playoff run would really put the cherry on top though. Kyler Murray was once in the MVP running not so long ago and has really taken some major steps in his second year.

Likely Cardinals Playoff Matchups

Seattle Seahawks (All-time record 21-22-1)

Deja vu could play a factor in this possible playoff matchup. Back in Week 7, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Seahawks 37-34 in overtime. The game was quite the contest and we can only hope their second go-around is just as competitive. Arizona fans may not want this matchup to come true though. While the Cardinals are a completely different team from 2019, Seattle has finally hit their stride. The defense has caught up to the offense in the sense of being disruptive. This has led to a solid three-game win streak. If Kyler Murray can get the rest of the offense contributing, this could become another overtime classic.

New Orleans Saints (All-time record 15-15)

On paper, this should be one of the Cardinals playoff matchups that Arizona fans would not want. Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara? No thank you. In reality, the Saints are vulnerable and inconsistent. Brees as done admirably without a few of his starting receivers this year but Budda Baker and Byron Murphy Jr will be defending them. The same game plan goes for the Arizona offense. It has to be more than just the Murray and Hopkins Show.

Long-shot Cardinals Playoff Matchups

Green Bay Packers (All-time record 24-46-4)

While the Green Bay Packers sit at the No.1 seed, it is theirs to lose. The Bears are their final obstacle in gaining home-field advantage through the playoffs. It’s not likely but there is a chance the Packers could risk it by sitting their star players in Week 17. There is also the slight possibility that Mitchell Trubisky can have a signature upset win and change the entire seeding of the playoffs. Still, the Panthers would have to beat the Saints and Seattle has to beat the 49ers for this playoff matchup to happen.

No One

That’s right. There could be zero Arizona Cardinals playoff matchups. They are still on the hunt rather than having a seeding already. With inconsistent play from Jared Goff and injuries, Arizona has a great shot at snagging a wild-card berth. It’s not a solid lock though. Neither team has been playing great every week and have seem on a roller coaster. Missing out on the playoffs would be a disappointing end to this surprising season for Arizona, making this the worst of the possible Cardinals playoff matchups.

I appreciate any and all the readers on my piece about the potential Arizona Cardinals playoff matchups. For the Seahawks’ version of this article click here. For the Rams’ version click here. For the Titans‘ version click here. For the Steelers’ version click here. For the Bills’ version click here. For the Saints’ version click here. For more content and articles, follow me on Twitter @WesKeeferPSN.

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