ARIZONA CARDINALS

A struggling NFC West gives the Cardinals a fighting chance

Sep 20, 2017, 2:41 PM | Updated: 3:56 pm

If Jared Veldheer (left) and Carson Palmer can step up their performance, the NFC West might be the...

If Jared Veldheer (left) and Carson Palmer can step up their performance, the NFC West might be there for the taking for the Arizona Cardinals. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

After watching every game involving an NFC West team, I’ve come to two conclusions that seem to contradict.

1.) The Arizona Cardinals are an average football team.

2.) The Arizona Cardinals are the best team in the NFC West.

Sample size warning! After two games, there’s very little hard information to go by, so it’s mostly eye test. Everyone in the division has problems, but the Cardinals’ problems seem to be the easiest to fix, or, at least improve upon.

However, there are only two teams in the NFL to lose to an NFC West team: the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers.

If you think of something that is driving you crazy about the Cardinals, it’s worse for other teams in the division. the Cardinals’ offensive line is bad. The Seahawks’ O-line is deplorable.

Carson Palmer has floated between average and sad but the highest-rated QB in the division is Jared Goff. Russell Wilson is 25, Palmer’s 29 and Brian Hoyer is 31 in the league. Arizona only scored 16 points in an overtime game, while San Francisco has scored 12 points all year! Seattle scored its first touchdown of the year in its eighth quarter of the season.

Seattle is giving up 5.2 yards per attempt. That’s a terrible rush defense. If you’re a Seattle fan, you might be happy to find out the teams with the worst rush defense are the two teams from last year’s Super Bowl. It raises a red flag for me because I see a Seahawks’ defense that wants to run up and hit everything but tackle nothing.

The Rams smashed the Colts in Week 1 but gave up 6.5 yards per carry to the Redskins’ Rob Kelley before the Washington running back left the game with an injury. Unfortunately, the Rams have the signature win of the whole division, and it’s against the Colts.

Almost every problem in the whole division can be fixed with better offensive line play. As I look through each team, it appears the Cardinals have the best chance of expecting more from their O-line. D.J. Humphries returning soon will dramatically help. More reps for Evan Boehm will only improve his communication and feel as a guard. Alex Boone actually having time to learn the offense will cement him ahead of Iupati. No one expected the weak link of the Cardinals’ season to be Jared Veldheer and Carson Palmer. If Veldheer plays better football, so will Palmer.

A better Palmer is all it will take to win a very weak division. It’s not very motivating but someone has to win the NFC West, it might as well be Arizona.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Vincent DeAngelis

PFF’s Spielberger grades Cardinals’ free agent class among worst in NFL

PFF's Brad Spielberger gave the Cardinals' free agent class a "C" grade in his latest rankings. It was the worst grade among all 32 teams.

7 hours ago

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

15 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

19 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

3 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

A struggling NFC West gives the Cardinals a fighting chance