Cardinals focusing on improvement, not playoffs as regular season wraps
Dec 28, 2021, 12:35 PM
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (68) defends against Detroit Lions linebacker Jessie Lemonier (52) during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, December 19, 2021. (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
For the first time since 2015, the Arizona Cardinals are back in the postseason following Sunday’s slate of games.
It’s a box-checker to say the least for the organization and third-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury, though it doesn’t quite have that same feeling many expected it to bring just four or five weeks earlier.
That’ll happen when a three-game losing streak is staring a team straight in the face and the only reason it clinched in Week 16 was thanks to losses by the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings.
But with the Rams’ win over the Vikings, Los Angeles now holds the advantage in the NFC West.
Talk about bittersweet.
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“I don’t think that was ever on the forefront of our minds,” Kingsbury said when asked about sealing a playoff spot in the manner in which the Cardinals did on Sunday. “We’ve just been trying to improve and play better and that’s been the focus. To be in the playoffs for two games left is an accomplishment.
“We understand that but we know we’ve got to improve a lot and play better football. We got to stop hurting ourselves in these games before we even think about taking the next step.”
For players like starting tackle Kelvin Beachum, the realization of making the postseason following the Rams’ win over the Vikings was an “interesting feeling” to say the least.
But make no buts about it, the lineman will gladly take a playoff berth however it is served up.
And with two games left in the regular season to get right before the real test begins, there’s no room for easing up.
“The thing is, you can play this game for a long time and not make the playoffs,” Beachum said Tuesday. “You have to take the good with the bad. We’re in the tournament, which is a positive thing, but at the same time, we know that we can’t go moonwalking or sleepwalking into the playoffs.
“We realize how important these last two games are. We realize how important every game has been this season. But considering the circumstances that we’ve put ourselves in, we’ve made this bed, now we have to go out and execute and find a way to dig ourselves out of it.”
