Arizona Cardinals Can Complete Unfinished Business in 2015
By Nick Ziegler
The Arizona Cardinals have had a great 2015 season already, but there is still a lot left to accomplish for the NFC West Champions.
In 2014, the Cardinals were emerging as one of the best teams in the NFC, as they got off to a great start to the season with a 9-1 record. Head coach Bruce Arians had his team playing very well despite a few injuries, most notably to quarterback Carson Palmer.
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Last season, Palmer was able to play in just six games for the Cardinals, as he missed two games early on in the season, and then had his season ended early with the second major knee injury of his career. The quarterback position is the most important in the NFL, and it was very impressive that the Cardinals were able to make the playoffs in 2014 with Palmer only playing in six games.
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Palmer was having a great season in 2014 before his season was ended prematurely, as he totaled 11 touchdown passes, three interceptions, and a perfect 6-0 record as a starter. It was not an easy task for the Cardinals, but they were able to still make the playoffs with three different starting quarterbacks in 2014, but the injuries to the position did catch up with them in the playoffs.
In the playoffs, the Cardinals had to travel to play the NFC South Champion, Carolina Panthers. 2014 was not an easy year for the Panthers, as they scratched and clawed their way to a division title with a 7-8-1 record. The Panthers were able to win at home against quarterback Ryan Lindley and the Cardinals in the first round, as the lack of a threat from the quarterback position really hurt the Cardinals.
This season, the Panthers are one of the best teams in the NFL, as quarterback Cam Newton is an MVP candidate, and the Panthers have lost just one game all season. Despite being 14-1, the Panthers aren’t getting a ton of respect, as they have had a soft schedule, and also appear to have some holes on their team.
A breakout season by Ted Ginn Jr. has saved the Panthers’ receiving corps, which is without their No.1 wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin for the whole season. Ginn has had some big plays for the Panthers this season, but he has also had a few big drops. Very few people would consider Ginn as wide receiver opposing teams are scared of, but the play of Newton has really improved the people around them, which has led to the great record.
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The Cardinals currently have the second-best record in the NFC behind the Panthers, and they may be looking to complete some unfinished business from 2014 in the playoffs this season. The Panthers and the Cardinals may meet once again in the playoffs this season with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, and the two teams will look drastically different from just one year ago.
Palmer has been nearly an unbeatable quarterback for the Cardinals the past two seasons, and Newton may very well be the MVP this season. With a playoff loss from last season in the back of their minds, the Cardinals may be the team that spoils the Panthers’ surprising season in the playoffs.