Are the Arizona Cardinals a bunch of phonies?

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Are the Arizona Cardinals a bunch of phonies? In prime position for the playoffs at 7-1 and sitting atop the entire NFL, Arizona certainly has found success. But is a steep fall from grace on the horizon? Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.

TODD:

I’m fed up with the Arizona Cardinals. They are the phoniest bunch of phonies who ever phonied.

I am forced to begin with the caveats because Society!, but Arizona has seven wins and no one can take those away from it. Those wins are banked. You know what isn’t banked? Everything else: the division title, the one seed in the NFC, a playoff berth.

People have gotten to the point now that we’re approaching week 10 where it’s in vogue to say how neat it is that Arizona is the top team in the NFC. The Cardinals went from underdogs to under-appreciated to over-hyped and it didn’t even take three months.

Let’s take a look through who this team has actually beaten. This is where the caveats come rapid fire from defenders. Any win is tough to get in the NFL! You can’t discount a victory because of extenuating circumstances; that’s how the league works!

To that I say no it’s not and yes I can.

Week one at home over San Diego, Arizona won by one point after a flurry in the fourth quarter. Is anyone giving credit here for a sound victory?

Week two at the Giants was probably the most lopsided blowout loss I have ever witnessed. The Giants dominated that game yet lost by double figures because of their own ineptitude.

Week three hosting San Francisco seemed like a great win at the time. It doesn’t seem as great now, but I’m feeling generous. That’s one legit win for the Cards so far.

A bye week was followed by a thrashing at the hands of Denver. After that, Arizona topped, in order, lets count them out, Washington at home (whoopie), Oakland (hooray), Philadelphia (the only team all year I have said was phonier than Arizona) and Dallas (minus Tony Romo, plus Brandon Weeden, plus laughter).

I don’t even know how to legitimize that schedule. Is there any win there for the Cardinals to hang their hat on?

With one of the worst rushing offenses in the NFL and the very worst pass defense, Arizona is about to face the toughest half of its schedule. Detroit, Kansas City, San Fran again and two games against Seattle are all on the docket. Playing at Atlanta could be tough too. The Rams are waiting twice, for whatever that is worth.

At 7-1 right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if Arizona went on a classic free fall. Has a team ever started a season 8-1 and lost the final seven games of the season? It’s in play.

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DAN:

You set me up perfectly to smack that fat, over the plate, pitch for a home run and yet I’m forced to concede that we are playing on the same team. I’d love to tell you why the Arizona Cardinals are an excellent football team, why they will certainly win the NFC West and make waves in the playoffs. But then I’d be a lying, and I’m not about to reduce my credibility to nothing by backing a team which has been in this spot before.

The Cardinals are the top team in the entire NFL, with the best overall record thus far. But besides ranking third in rushing defense, you are absolutely correct. Their pass and run rankings look a lot more like the New York Jets than any other team near the top of the standings.

Last season the Arizona Cardinals were also very good. They were only 4-4 at the half way point, but they were also 7-4 at one point as well as 10-5 before ultimately finishing with a 10-6 record and missing the playoffs. There is hope for Cardinals fans this season, but you are right to cry foul over their new superiority.

The primary reason that I don’t trust the Cardinals is that I do not trust their quarterback Carson Palmer. If Arizona fails to win the NFC West, which is quite likely considering those two huge games against the Seahawks, then they will be competing with the Cowboys and Packers for only two wild card spots (using today’s standings). Both of those teams are beating Arizona because of their quarterbacks.

I feel like it’s a dead horse by now, but a team’s quarterback truly does determine NFL success. Arizona has its hands full without a known commodity under center. But I mentioned hope and here’s the silver lining. The Cardinals are currently 7-1 and in full control of their destiny. If they simply hold fort and split with every divisional opponent that’s only three more losses. Add one more loss between Detroit, Atlanta, and Kansas City and this team is still 11-5 and in the playoffs. A 10-6 record is probably a death-blow, much like in 2013, for this team.

I’m with you, I don’t trust the Cardinals. Good thing for their fans, even mediocrity down the stretch can mean a playoff berth.

TODD:

Stop comparing everyone to the Jets!

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