ARIZONA CARDINALS
2020 Record - 8-8-0
Head Coach - Kliff Kingsbury
Key Additions - J.J. Watt (DL), A.J. Green (WR), James Conner (RB), Colt McCoy (QB), Malcolm Butler (DB), Rodney Hudson (OL), Shawn Williams (DB), Brian Winters (OL)
OFFENSE - Kyler Murray is the starting quarterback and he passed for 3,971 yards with 26 touchdowns and twelve interceptions while also rushing for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Journeyman QB Colt McCoy and Chris Streveler will look to be the backup this season.
The running backs will be James Conner (721 yards, 4.3 ypc average and six TD with the Steelers), Chase Edmonds (138 rushing yards along with 53 receptions for 402 yards and four TD) and Jonathan Ward. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (115 receptions, 1,407 yards and six TD) is the primary target for Arizona and is joined by Christian Kirk (48, 621, six TD) and A.J. Green, who comes over from Cincinnati. Green had 47 receptions for 523 yards and two scores last year. Rookie Rondale Moore (Purdue) is also in the mix. The tight ends are Maxx Williams and Darrell Daniels.
The Cardinals offense averaged 385 yards (6th in NFL) and scored 25.6 points per game. The rushing game averaged 140 YPG (7th) and the passing game averaged 245 yards per game, which ranked 17th in the NFL.
DEFENSE - Jordan Phillips, Rashard Lawrence and J.J. Watt form the front line in the 3-4 alignment. Watt has been with Houston for his first ten seasons and last year had five quarterback sacks. The linebackers are Chandler Jones, Isaiah Simmons, Markus Golden and either Jordan Hicks (team high 118 tackles) or rookie Zaven Collins (Tulsa). Dennis Gardeck (seven sacks) is another rush end/linebacker.
In the secondary will be safeties Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker (team high 118 tackles) and corners Robert Alford and Malcolm Butler. Byron Murphy, Jr., Shawn Williams, rookie Marco Wilson (Florida) and Deionte Thompson will be counted upon as well.
2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Cardinals are looking to get over the hump and get back to the NFC playoffs for the first time in five years after finishing 8-8 a year ago. With Kyler Murray leading the offense, the Cards can move the football and the running game could be a key factor this season with Kenyan Drake having gone to Las Vegas. Oft injured James Conner joins Chase Edmonds as the primary back who will look to keep the offense balanced.
Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury is entering his third season with Arizona and the offense has been better in the two years since he came along. The receivers look to be solid again, even with future Hall-of-Fame player Larry Fitzgerald retired. DeAndre Hopkins is considered by many to be the top wideout in the NFL and gives Murray a prime target to throw to.
The defense will be looking to replace no less than six starters from last season, including both cornerbacks (Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick) as well as linebacker and team sack leader Haason Reddick. Enter corner man Malcolm Butler, who had four interceptions with Tennessee last year. Butler and either Byron Murphy, Jr. or Robert Alford will be the starting corners. And of course J.J. Watt is looking to contribute at the end spot. Linebacker Chandler Jones is looking to bounce back after missing most of last season with a biceps injury.
The Arizona pass defense ranked tenth last season, giving up 226 yards per game while intercepting eleven passes and registering 48 sacks. The run defense allowed 126 YPG (22nd) and overall the Cardinals allowed 352 yards per game, which was 13th in the league. Additionally, Arizona allowed 22.9 points per game.
The key for the Cardinals will be divisional play as they were 2-4 last year in the NFC West and they also coughed up two games at the end of the season that cost them a wild card playoff spot. Another eight win season won't cut it for the playoff picture, but unless the newer defensive players mesh and the offense keeps it moving onto even higher ground, the team may do no better than 9-8 this season.
2021 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Tennessee
Week 2 - vs. Minnesota
Week 3 - at Jacksonville
Week 4 - at L.A. Rams
Week 5 - vs. San Francisco
Week 6 - at Cleveland
Week 7 - vs. Houston
Week 8 - vs. Green Bay
Week 9 - at San Francisco
Week 10 - vs. Carolina
Week 11- at Seattle
Week 12 - BYE
Week 13 - at Chicago
Week 14 - vs. L.A. Rams
Week 15 - at Detroit
Week 16 - vs. Indianapolis
Week 17 - at Dallas
Week 18 - vs. Seattle
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