ARIZONA CARDINALS

ESPN’s John Clayton: Cardinals winning out a difficult task

Dec 9, 2016, 12:50 PM | Updated: Dec 10, 2016, 10:50 am

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marcus Cooper (41) stops Washington Redskins wide receiver Ryan Grant ...

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marcus Cooper (41) stops Washington Redskins wide receiver Ryan Grant (14) short of the goal line during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

LISTEN: John Clayton, ESPN NFL insider

The best chance for the Arizona Cardinals to make the playoffs this year is to win nine games, according to a pair of ESPN analysts. Meaning the Cardinals would need to win their final four games.

Is it possible? Yes. But it’s a difficult task that ESPN’s John Clayton thinks is unattainable.

“It’s going to be very difficult,” Clayton told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s Doug and Wolf on Friday. “The standard right now is that sixth spot and I think it’s going to be nine wins. If they can sweep out and get to 9-6-1 then yeah they can do that. But I think if there is one more loss in there, then I don’t think it will happen. That loss could be Sunday, it could be against the Seattle Seahawks.”

Traveling to the East Coast hasn’t been kind to the Cardinals this year, as they are 0-4 when traveling east of the Rockies with losses to Buffalo, Carolina, Minnesota and Atlanta.

The Cardinals are 1-4 on the road, with their lone win coming in Week 5 against San Francisco, and play three of their final four games away from University of Phoenix Stadium. They host New Orleans next week before closing out the season with road games in Seattle and Los Angeles.

The Seahawks have been on a tear of sorts since tying the Cardinals back in Week 7, going 4-2 to hold a strong grip on the NFC West with an 8-3-1 record.

If the playoffs started Friday, Dallas and Seattle would be the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, followed by Detroit and Atlanta, with New York and Tampa Bay holding down the two wild card spots.

If the Cardinals are to make the playoffs, they are going to need some help in leap-frogging Green Bay, Minnesota, Washington and Tampa Bay to secure the final spot.

“You look at the dynamics, you know the Giants are going to win 10 or 11, most likely 10,” Clayton said. “Is it going to be Minnesota? I think the nine is going to be dangling there as a possibility, even Tampa Bay at 7-5, I don’t see them being nine. So even nine is a possibility, but to get nine means a sweep.”

While Clayton doesn’t seem confident in the Cardinals ability to win out and finish 9-6-1, fellow ESPN NFL insider Ron Jaworski thinks otherwise.

“I think there’s more than hope, I think they’re going to be a playoff team,” Jaworski told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s Burns and Gambo on Thursday. “I believe the Cardinals will be a playoff team. (Finishing) 9-6-1 will get them in the playoffs. I think they can win their next four games. Obviously, the big test is going to be the Seattle Seahawks, but the other games are winnable football games. Call me crazy but that’s how I see it. I got excited over that win against the Redskins.”

Jaworski points to coach Bruce Arians’ decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 from the Cardinals’ 34-yard line in their 31-23 win over the Redskins as reasons why the team could be dangerous down the stretch. It’s reminiscent of last year’s successful 13-3 team that fell one win shy of the Super Bowl, and Arians’ philosophy of his “no risk-it, no biscuit” ways.

“It was reckless going for it,” Jaworski said. “Teams like this are very hard to play against because they’re willing to try anything. It’s a desperate football team.”

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.

3 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.

11 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.

15 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.

2 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

ESPN’s John Clayton: Cardinals winning out a difficult task