What are the Arizona Cardinals’ odds to make playoffs, win NFC West?

Nov 11, 2024, 9:33 AM | Updated: 9:54 am

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and his team has strong odds to make the playoffs...

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN

ArizonaSports.com lead editor

It was three years ago when Arizona Cardinals fans got burned for believing.

Arizona started 7-0. Then A.J. Green didn’t turn around and DeAndre Hopkins got hurt.

The Cardinals made the playoffs but got laughed off the field with Kyler Murray dinged up and later criticized for how he left things as the quarterback went into drama-filled extension talks.

So it’s understandable if some Arizona fans are a little apprehensive about buying a 6-4 start to this 2024 season.

A few things to consider: Murray is a different player and a different leader. He’s not reliant on one star, though tight end Trey McBride is arguably entering that space.

Arizona’s defense has done more with less, and the second half of the schedule on paper gives them a great shot at holding the NFC West lead.

The analytics models and odds all agree: head coach Jonathan Gannon’s team is favored to make the playoffs through 10 games this season.

Easy to say when a team holds destiny in its own hands, but again, Arizona nearly tumbled from a hotter start before its last playoff berth.

Even if Arizona gets to 9-6 by going 3-2 coming off a bye next week, the massive projection shift will happen in the final two games at the Rams and at home against the 49ers.

Winning at least one of the final two will give the Cardinals a massive boost in odds to reach the postseason (Go tinker with the New York Times‘ interactive tool to see it).

But let’s peek at several projections as of now.