If the Arizona Cardinals play up to their talent, and potential, could they squeeze into the playoffs? Even though they’re only 4-8 right now?
Sure. And the fact that none of their next four opponents has a winning record sure helps that cause.
Coming off their bye, the Cardinals begin their final five-game stretch in this week’s Monday Night Football game, at home, against the 6-6 New England Patriots (8:15 p.m. EST, TSN via ESPN).
After the Patriots, the Cards play at Denver (3-10), vs. Tampa Bay (6-7) and at Atlanta (5-8) before finishing up at a San Francisco team (9-4) that might have little or nothing to play for, should it already have the NFC West and No. 3 NFC playoff seed clinched.
So a 9-8 final record isn’t as outlandish as it might seem.
Of course, to accomplish that feat, the Cards have to begin such a streak with one of its best, most productive, most disciplined offensive performances of the season — something that has proved elusive nearly every week in 2022.
Yes, quarterback Kyler Murray has been frustratingly erratic overall. But his receiver corps has been a jumble all season long, due to suspension (DeAndre Hopkins), injuries (Hopkins, Rondale Moore, Marquise Brown, A.J. Green) and mid-season trade acquisition (Robbie Anderson).
With only Moore (groin) out this week, and with the game in a marquee, prime-time slot at home, Arizona might be in its best position all season to have a strong game offensively.
Too bad off-field issues sprang up again this week to muck with matters.
Former all-pro Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson publicly described Murray as a self-centred, team-averse prima donna. Murray said he not only was “super shocked” by Peterson’s description, but hurt, and angry that Peterson chose to express that opinion not directly to him, privately, but to the world.
Peterson did text Murray afterward to explain himself, or apologize, but Murray wasn’t really having it: “Hell, what is that gonna do?”
It’s part of playing the spotlight position, Murray acknowledged, on an offence struggling to put its talented but alternately available pieces together, under a beleaguered coaching staff to boot headed by fourth-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
“You understand the position that you are in, what comes with it, what you have to face,” Murray said. “I’m not really new to it … It doesn’t affect me.”
He is completing 66% of his throw for 236 yards per game, 14 touchdowns, against seven interceptions. As one of the most dangerous rushing QBs in league history, the fourth-year pro has additionally rushed for 415 yards (eight yards shy of last year’s total) and three scores.
Murray’s passing stats are middle-of-the-pack. More is expected of a No. 1 overall draft pick in his fourth season. More wins, too — not two losses for every win, as this season.
Hence, the growing criticisms.
Do some of the over-the-top shots ever get to him?
“Some instances, yes, but not really,” Murray said. “I know who I am and I’m not really tripping on anything that comes my way.”
A great way to stop those cold is to start a winning streak — Monday, against the Patriots.
John Kryk writes a weekly newsletter on NFL matters. That’s where you can first see his straight-up picks each week. You can have the newsletter automatically dropped into your email inbox on Wednesdays simply by signing up — for free — at https://torontosun.com/newsletters/
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