ARIZONA CARDINALS

ESPN’s Clayton: ‘People aren’t talking up Arizona enough’

Aug 30, 2013, 5:38 PM | Updated: 5:39 pm

LISTEN: John Clayton, ESPN NFL Insider

“When you really think about it, people aren’t talking up Arizona enough,” ESPN NFL insider John Clayton told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf Friday.

The analyst, who was discussing Arizona’s playoff chances, said he believes new quarterback Carson Palmer, with Bruce Arians calling the shots, will play in all 16 games this season and throw for more than 4,000 yards.

That’s the good news.

The bad news, according to Clayton, is that the Cardinals, quite simply, play in a ridiculously difficult division. Matched up with Super Bowl favorites San Francisco and Seattle — along with an ever-improving St. Louis squad — Arizona’s road is as daunting as anyone’s.

“You’ve got to say that this team is going to be somewhere in that seven to nine-win area,” he said. “And if that’s the case, you know the Rams are already at the seven-win area with one of the best young rosters in football.

“You know how brutal San Francisco is, you know how brutal Seattle is. To me, it’s one of the best divisions in football, and it’s well put together, which is amazing considering where it was back in 2008 when everybody wanted this division as a homecoming destination.”

Lucky Cardinals.

And, unlike NFL.com writer Albert Breer, who believes the NFC West will send three teams (including the Cardinals) to the postseason, Clayton says odds are the division will max out at two.

“I’d say it’s going to be tough to get more than one Wild Card,” he said, noting it will be whichever of San Francisco and Seattle that does not win the division. “I think it’s going to be hard to get past that, and it’s because of the tough division race.

Clayton added he just does not see any weak teams in the NFC, meaning the West beating up on itself will allow someone from another division to sneak into that second and final Wild Card spot.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

ESPN’s Clayton: ‘People aren’t talking up Arizona enough’