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How the Arizona Cardinals can win the NFC West

By Russell S. Baxter

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Defensive end Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Defensive end Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, ARIZONA – APRIL 26: Quarterback Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals poses during a press conference at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on April 26, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. Murray was the first pick overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA – APRIL 26: Quarterback Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals poses during a press conference at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on April 26, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. Murray was the first pick overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. Immediate impact from QB Kyler Murray

When you finish dead last in the NFL in total yards, rushing yards and passing yards in the same season — the first franchise to manage that dubious feat since the 1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers — there’s plenty of blame to go around. And it’s safe to say that new Arizona Cardinals’ head coach Kliff Kingsbury has his work cut out for himself, as does rookie quarterback Kyler Murray if the team is to reverse those misfortunes.

The first overall pick in April’s draft comes in with a lot of expectations but also reservations from some convinced that the 5-10, 207-pound hurler can hold up this season. The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner proved his mettle at the University of Oklahoma with both his arm and his feet.

A good start in 2019 would be topping what starters Sam Bradford and Josh Rosen and reserve Mike Glennon did this past season. The trio combined for 13 touchdown passes, 18 interceptions and seven lost fumbles. They accounted for 25 of the club’s 28 turnovers.

Next. 2019 NFL All-Overpaid Team. dark

Arizona scored an NFL-low 225 points in 2018 and the offensive unit accounted for only 24 touchdowns. The Kingsbury/Murray relationship has been well-documented and at the very least, this new-look Cardinals’ offense and its young quarterback must present some challenges to the opposition from the start.

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