2017 Record - 8-8-0
Head Coach - Steve Wilks
2017 Offensive Ranking - 22nd (314 ypg, 18.4 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 6th (311 ypg, 22.6 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - After a shakeup at quarterback with Carson Palmer retiring, the Cardinals brought in Sam Bradford to be the starter for the 2018 season. Also in the fold will be Mike Glennon and rookie Josh Rosen (UCLA). Bradford passed for 382 yards with three touchdowns in very limited action with Minnesota last season while Glennon suffered through a miserable 2017 outing with the Chicago Bears (833 pass yards with four TD and five interceptions). Rosen is the quarterback for the future, possibly sooner than expected if things get rough this year.
The running game should get a huge boost provided David Johnson is back healthy after missing nearly all of last season with a wrist injury. Johnson had a huge 2016 season and will be counted on to carry the load.
The wide receivers have 15-year veteran Larry Fitzgerald leading the way after making 109 receptions for 1,156 yards with six touchdowns a year ago. J.J. Nelson (29, 508, two TD) is the deep threat while Brice Butler (15, 317, three TD with Dallas) and rookie draft pick Christian Kirk (Texas A & M) will be in the fold. Tight Ends Jermaine Gresham (33, 322, two TD) and Ricky Seals-Jones (12, 201, three TD) will look to contribute in the passing attack.
DEFENSE - Defensive End Chandler Jones (17 QB sacks) had a huge season and is flanked by Olsen Pierre (5 1/2 sacks), Corey Peters and Markus Golden. Linebackers include Josh Byne, Scooby Wright, Deone Bucannon and Haason Reddick.
Cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Marcus Williams man the secondary along with safety Antoine Bethea, who had five interceptions last year.
OUTLOOK - The Cardinals have a new Head Coach in Steve Wilks and he will look to get the team back to the playoffs for the first time in three years.
Arizona had a good defense but the offense has a lot of questions to be answered as Bradford takes over at quarterback. David Johnson is coming off injuries and the team needs him to get back to his old form.
Another area to be looked at is wide receiver, where Fitzgerald continues to play well in spite of his advanced age. The other receivers have to step up in 2018, evidenced by the steep drop off from 109 catches by Fitzgerald to only 33 for the next leading receiver in tight end Gresham.
If Bradford can make the plays and the running game gets back on track (only 87 yards per game in 2017) to boost the scoring, the Cardinals can be competitive. The NFC West has the Los Angeles Rams looking strong while San Francisco looks to be climbing. Arizona should battle Seattle for third place in the division this year while possibly finishing 8-8 once again.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Washington
Week 2 - at LA Rams
Week 3 - vs. Chicago
Week 4 - vs. Seattle
Week 5 - at San Francisco
Week 6 - at Minnesota
Week 7 - vs. Denver
Week 8 - vs. San Francisco
Week 9 - Bye
Week 10 - at Kansas City
Week 11 - vs. Oakland
Week 12 - at LA Chargers
Week 13 - at Green Bay
Week 14 - vs. Detroit
Week 15 - at Atlanta
Week 16 - vs. LA Rams
Week 17 - at Seattle
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