ARIZONA CARDINALS

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals look to reclaim top spot

Sep 22, 2011, 6:22 PM | Updated: 7:22 pm

Each of the last seven NFC West championships have been won by either the Seattle Seahawks or Arizona Cardinals.

The Seahawks were division’s dominant team since 2004, winning four straight crowns before the Cardinals took over in 2008 and 2009. They reclaimed the top spot in 2010 while the Cardinals slipped back to the basement.

Needless to say, the Cardinals understand the importance of Sunday’s game against the defending division champs.

“We need to be able to get this W just to reestablish ourselves in the NFC West,” receiver Larry Fitzgerald said. “It’s an important division game for us, we all understand the ramifications of that.”

While a Week 3 game doesn’t exactly have the appearance of one that could decide a season, a win for the Cardinals would show that the team is much improved from last year’s squad and is ready to be the division’s top dog once again. But it won’t be easy.

“They’re the defending West champions,” Fitzgerald said. “We have a lot of respect for this team and their staff, and they play really hard.

“We know we’re going to have a tough fight in front of us.”

If the Cards are victorious Sunday they may very well be able to put the Seahawks in the rear-view mirror as they head towards another NFC West championship.

Arizona Sports’ Kyndra de St. Aubin contributed to this report

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort talks to reporters...

Tyler Drake

Monti Ossenfort keeping trade options open as Cardinals’ draft board nears completion

The Arizona Cardinals have about 95% of their draft board completed about a week out from the NFL Draft and continue to look at all avenues.

15 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort looks on during the 2023 NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Daniel Jeremiah: NFL Draft is Cardinals’ moment to set up franchise for years to come

The 2024 NFL Draft marks a big set-your-franchise-up situation for the Arizona Cardinals, says NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.

19 hours ago

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill speaks at a press conference...

Tyler Drake

Michael Bidwill: Cardinals ‘aligned on getting this thing right’ in 2024

Michael Bidwill believes the Cardinals aren't that far off from really turning things around under Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort.

2 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr....

Nick Borgia

Marvin Harrison Jr. remains Cardinals top pick in latest ESPN mock

With the 2024 NFL draft just around the corner, ESPN's latest mock draft details what could be in store for the Cardinals' first six picks.

3 days ago

Rome Odunze...

Kevin Zimmerman

Peter Schrager’s NFL mock draft has a surprising Cardinals trade-down with Giants

Peter Schrager believes the New York Giants could trade with the Arizona Cardinals, who move down to the No. 6 pick to select Rome Odunze.

3 days ago

Trey McBride works out...

Tyler Drake

Tweaked process, same message: Cardinals begin strength and conditioning program

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon isn't the biggest believer in picking up where you left off, especially on a year-to-year basis.

3 days ago

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals look to reclaim top spot