The Arizona Cardinals are 1-2 on the season, and considering they began with games against the Chiefs, Raiders and Rams, it’s not an unexpected start.
However, the way they have gotten there has oddsmakers pessimistic about their chances to make a return trip to the playoffs in the NFC.
After beginning 10-2 and coming within a game of winning the NFC West a season ago, the Cardinals are now heavy favorites to miss the playoffs this season.
Arizona is tied with the 49ers and only a game behind the Rams in the divisional standings, but has very little to hang its hat on beyond the miraculous comeback win in Las Vegas.
The Cardinals are No. 31 in Football Outsiders’ team efficiency rankings through three games, as the offense (No. 20 overall), defense (No. 31) and special teams (No. 27) have all been comfortably below average.
They have yet to lead in regulation this season, and have technically not led by a single second because the win over the Raiders came on a fumble return touchdown in overtime by cornerback Byron Murphy.
The Cardinals have played poorly all season long, and the schedule has plenty of tough games coming up, which is a recipe for the pessimism. Arizona entered the season with a win total over/under of 8.5 and that has dropped by a game.
The Cardinals have untapped upside on offense because eventually they should be able to roll out a wide receiver quartet of Hopkins, Hollywood Brown, Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch. But the passing game to this point has been dinks-and-dunks with precious few chunks, so an about-face will be needed.
Defensively, no cavalry is coming off the injured list, as the team’s impact players were pretty much all available against the Rams and the group still allowed 7.4 yards per play.
Defensive tackle J.J. Watt missed the opener with a calf injury but has played well in the two games since, racking up a pair of sacks. However, he is the only player on the team to register one this year, as offseason concerns about the edge-rushing group have seemingly been verified.
The Cardinals have surged in one category, though it’s an ignominious one: They have the third-best odds to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, per Football Outsiders.
Best odds to get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, per @fboutsiders:
1. Texans, 10.2%
2. Raiders, 9.3%
3. Cardinals, 9.1%
4. Panthers, 8.7%
5. Titans, 8.5%— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) September 26, 2022
