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Arizona Cardinals: Early Struggles Hurts Playoff Chances

By Griffin Fabits

Oct 30, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) causes Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) to fumble the ball during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) causes Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) to fumble the ball during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals were projected to be the front-runners in the National Football Conference. Instead, they’re 3-4-1 through the first eight weeks.

It’s no secret that the Arizona Cardinals are struggling.

They’re off to a 3-4-1 record, and had trouble keeping up with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, who were 1-5 entering the contest.

Maybe it’s the offensive line to blame for the Cards’ sluggish first half. Quarterback Carson Palmer has been sacked 24 times through eight games, which is one shy from his total in 2015.

The inability to protect their quarterback ultimately impacts their productivity of their offense. Through the first eight games of this season, the Cardinals average 22 points per game. Last year through as many games they averaged 37 points per game, which propelled them to a 6-2 record.

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Or, maybe it’s due to the lack of production from Larry Fitzgerald. Through eight games in ’15, he was averaging 88 yards per game and scored seven touchdowns. Over the span of the first eight games this season, Fitz is only recording 69 YPG, and has only reached the end-zone five times.

It’s a continuous cycle that has haunted the Cardinals this season; lack of protection from the offensive line leads to not getting the ball into the hands of your best receiver. That, in turn, impacts the amount of points they score per game, which is significantly lower than last season.

Now heading into a much-needed bye-week, the Cardinals have dug themselves a hole that they might not be able to get out of. Last season, they compiled a 13-3 record which was good for the best season in franchise history. Although they lost in the NFC Championship Game, it looked as if the ’16 campaign would consist of much more success, and possibly even a trip to the Super Bowl.

With their unlikely-losing record, the best they could do is 11-4-1, which is completely unrealistic to ask for based on how they have played this season. Winning out is also impractical when looking at the Cardinals’ remaining schedule. Five of their remaining eight contests are on the road, against three teams above the .500 mark, (Vikings, Falcons, Seahawks). They will also travel to play the Rams, who beat the Cards, 17-13, on October 2. In Week 13, the Redskins come to town, who also own a winning record at 4-3-1.

The Cardinals have a legitimate shot at finishing the season with a losing record for the first time since 2012, when they ended at 5-11. It would be the first time in the Bruce Arians-era that the season resulted in a sub-.500 record.

Next: Arizona Cardinals: Strange Sunday Affair With Seattle Seahawks

The Cardinals were supposed to run away as the front-runners in the highly-competitive National Football Conference. Those plans have changed, as they’re now struggling to remain above .500 eight weeks into the season.

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