Arizona Cardinals: Not Officially Eliminated, Need Help Across NFL

Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals will host the New Orleans Saints (5-7-1) in their final home game of the regular season. A loss will officially eliminate them.

The Arizona Cardinals are still not technically eliminated from playoff contention. I know. They’re basically just playing with our emotions at this point.

According to arizonasports.com, there is still the slightest of chances that the Cardinals find a way into the playoffs. There’s no way it’ll actually happen, due to what all needs to go down. Whichever way you want to look at it, a chance is a chance, I guess. They’re technically still in the hunt.

But if the Cards want to sneak into the postseason, there are 15 things that need to happen, as Arizona Sports notes. First of all, it starts with several teams needing to win-out in the final three weeks of the regular season. The Cardinals, of course, are one of those teams. Next is the Dallas Cowboys, who play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

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And lastly, the Chicago Bears. Yes, the 3-10 Bears need to win-out in order for the Cards to make the playoffs. The Bears need to win three-straight against the Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins, and Minnesota Vikings.

Not only do these three teams need to finish the season on a roll, here’s who you should root for in the next three weeks if you want to see the Cardinals make the playoffs.

Week 15: Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Carolina Panthers

Week 16: Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints

Week 17: Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and Carolina Panthers

Yes. You read that correctly. Not only do the Cardinals need to win their remaining three games, every single team listed above also needs to win over the course of the next three weeks. According to nytimes.com, the Cardinals chances at making it to the playoffs sits at less than one-percent.

Next: Arizona Cardinals: The Year that Could Have and Should Have Been

But, hey. The Arizona Cardinals still have not been eliminated from the playoffs. If all 15 of these simple tasks listed above do happen over these next three weeks, the Cardinals will be well on their way to a run at the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl 51. Ha.