Arizona Cardinals on Brink of Elimination
The Arizona Cardinals find themselves at a critical juncture in the season, with playoff hopes hanging by a thread. After a promising start with a 2-0 record, the team’s fortunes have taken a sharp downturn. They have now lost eight of their last nine games, with six of those defeats coming by a narrow margin of four points or less. As they head into Week 13 with a disheartening 3-8 record, the possibility of mathematical elimination from the postseason looms large.
Playoff Scenarios for Elimination
A series of outcomes this week could officially seal Arizona’s fate. The Cardinals must avoid a loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while hoping for a Green Bay Packers victory over the Detroit Lions and a win or tie from the Chicago Bears against the Philadelphia Eagles. Currently, the Cardinals are 2.5-point underdogs in their matchup, with the Packers facing a three-point disadvantage and the Bears entering as touchdown underdogs.
The stakes are high, as a loss would mark the earliest point in a season that the Cardinals have been eliminated from playoff contention since 1986. Their last playoff appearance came in 2021, and with teams like the New York Giants already eliminated, the Cardinals are not alone in their struggle for survival. Other franchises, including the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Commanders, are also facing potential elimination scenarios.
Slim Chances for a Turnaround
Despite the grim outlook, the Cardinals still have a theoretical path to the playoffs. According to playoff simulations, even if Arizona manages to win all remaining games, their chances of making the postseason are a mere 2%. This statistic underscores the uphill battle facing the team as they strive to salvage their season.
Fourth-Quarter Struggles and Coaching Decisions
One of the most pressing issues for the Cardinals has been their inability to close out games, particularly in the fourth quarter. This recurring theme has sparked widespread criticism of head coach Jonathan Gannon, who has faced scrutiny for his decision-making and game management.
In discussing the team’s struggles, Gannon expressed a commitment to evaluating their approach and making necessary adjustments. “When we look at those games that you’re talking about, we evaluate everything that we’re doing and then we implement certain things to try to fix problems that keep showing up over and over,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of not making changes for the sake of change, and instead focusing on refining their execution in critical moments.
Gannon highlighted specific plays that have caused issues, citing the need for improved execution on foundational plays that should be second nature. “Those are the things that I point out that it’s like, hey, let’s fix these day one install plays… Let’s do those a little bit better. Then in critical moments, (it comes down to) do we have the right thought process, and can we execute?” he remarked.
As the clock ticks down on the season, the Cardinals must find a way to address these issues if they hope to turn their fortunes around. Time is running out, and the pressure is mounting for Gannon and his squad to rise to the occasion.
