Key Additions: G Evan Mathis, DE Chandler Jones, DE/DT Robert Nkemdiche
Key Subtractions: OT Bobby Massie, G Jonathan Cooper, C Lyle Sendlein, DT Cory Redding, CB Jerraud Powers, S Rashad Johnson.
Strengths
The Arizona Cardinals were one of the top offenses in the league last season, one which helped power their terrific 13-3 campaign. Their terrific depth at wide receiver (Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown, J.J. Nelson) and running back (David and Chris Johnson, Andre Ellington) remains intact, so they are better-equipped than most teams to withstand injuries at those positions.
Even if 36-year-old Carson Palmer regresses from the MVP-level form he displayed last season, they have enough weapons to survive.
Another reason for optimism from the Cards’ offense is the continued improvement of its offensive line. The addition of Evan Mathis gives them another All Pro-caliber guard to pair with last summer’s marquee pickup, Mike Iupati.
Weaknesses
The Cards’ secondary was one of their big strengths last season, but it could very well be a weakness now that the departures of Jerraud Powers and Rashad Johnson have robbed that great unit of its depth. Meanwhile, their top three defensive backs – Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Bethel – are all coming off offseason surgery.
However, the Cards did move to address one of its most glaring weaknesses – pass rushing. The addition of Chandler Jones and rookie Robert Nkemdiche should at least add some much-needed depth and versatility along the front seven. Jones was fifth in the NFL with 12.5 sacks last season for the New England Patriots; the Cards as a team had just 36.
Key Player – Carson Palmer
Hardly anyone saw a career year coming from Palmer, who was coming off a torn ACL at age 35 last season. He had 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns, both the most he’s even thrown in the regular season.
Palmer is bound to fall down to earth a bit this year, but the Cards desperately need their star quarterback healthy for their +1,000 odds to win the Super Bowl to pay out. His throwing finger was banged up in last year’s 49-15 NFC Championship game defeat to the Carolina Panthers.
Key Game – at Seattle (Dec. 24)
The NFL schedule served up a tasty Christmas present for football fans everywhere with the Cardinals taking on the Seahawks in Seattle on Christmas Eve. The Cards edged out a 39-32 shootout in that corresponding fixture last year. Here’s hoping this season’s encounter can deliver more of the same fireworks, as well as some possible drama in terms of the NFC West title chase.
2015 Team Stats
Category
Stat (Rank)
Points per game
30.6 (#2)
Passing yards per game
288.5 (#2)
Rushing yards per game
119.8 (#8)
Scoring defense
19.6 (#7)
Writer’s Prediction
The Cardinals (+140) make it back-to-back NFC West titles by going 12-4.
