Arizona Cardinals record prediction: Picks for every game in 2020

Eyeing the Arizona Cardinals schedule for 2020, can this team make the leap many expect them to or will it be a year too soon? Picks for every game.

It’s been two straight offseasons of the Arizona Cardinals stealing headlines with blockbuster moves. Last season, they took Kyler Murray with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, despite selecting Josh Rosen with a top-10 pick the year prior. Then this offseason, they got their young franchise quarterback a new toy, fleecing the Texans in trading for DeAndre Hopkins.

Now entering the second season under head coach Kliff Kingsbury, there is deserved excitement about what the Cardinals could do in the 2020 season. Yes, they added linebacker Isaiah Simmons in the first round of the draft but the defense is still a work-in-progress, even if they have playmakers like Chandler Jones and Patrick Peterson still in-tow.

However, Murray and the Kingsbury offense should be wildly exciting. They now have a top-tier wide receiver, a still-productive veteran in Larry Fitzgerald, several young receivers and a breakout star from last year in running back Kenyan Drake. That offense should keep them in plenty of games in the 2020 season.

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But how many will they win? Let’s go game-by-game through the Cardinals schedule and pick each one to ultimately end up with a record prediction for Arizona in 2020.

Week 1: at 49ers – Loss

Starting the season on the road against the defending NFC champions is not a fun task. The 49ers don’t seem to be in position to take any kind of step back and may even take a step forward. Arizona isn’t quite on their level yet.

Week 2: vs. Redskins – Win

On the opposite end of the spectrum from playing at San Francisco is getting Washington at home. Though the Redskins front-seven has some talent, the offense remains a concern overall and Murray should be able to put enough points on the board to get the win.

Week 3: vs. Lions – Win

There’s a chance that Detroit is going to be a better team than people think, especially if Matthew Stafford can stay healthy. At the same time, there is no evidence that Matt Patricia is a good coach and the defense has question marks. Kingsbury will take advantage of that.

Week 4: at Panthers – Win

Arizona finds themselves at the start of a three-game road trip but the first matchup shouldn’t concern them. Carolina is in the early stages of what appears to be a rebuild. As the Cardinals are further along in their own restructuring, picking up the win shouldn’t be much of a concern.

Week 5: at Jets – Win

Much like the Lions, the New York Jets could be more dangerous than expected in 2020. However, the defense has a number of holes and the offensive weapons are a concern — as is the fact that Adam Gase is the head coach. Make it four-straight wins for the Red Birds.

Week 6: at Cowboys (Monday Night Football) – Loss

Unfortunately, the hot start comes to a halt for the Cardinals in their first primetime game of the season. Dallas might be one of the best offenses in the NFL this season and should be starting to get comfortable in Week 6. With the Cowboys also at home, Arizona stumbles in this one.

Week 7: vs. Seahawks – Win

Whether the Cardinals have been a high-end team or a bottom-feeder over the years, they always play the rival Seahawks tight, especially at home. While Russell Wilson is always a scary proposition to face, Arizona will pull through with a big offensive game to move to 5-2 going into their Week 8 bye.

Week 9: vs. Dolphins – Win

There’s a good chance — or at least somewhat of a chance — that the Dolphins are starting rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa by this point. However, I’m not sure they have enough firepower on either side of the ball to hang with the Cardinals right now, especially in Arizona.

Week 10: vs. Bills – Loss

Getting to play Buffalo at home is a fortunate break for the Cardinals. At the same time, however, I’m not a fan of this matchup overall. The Bills defense is fierce and can take advantage of Arizona’s shaky spots on the offensive line while Josh Allen is just unique enough to carry his team to a road win.

Week 11: at Seahawks (Thursday Night Football) – Loss

Splitting with the Seahawks feels like a foregone conclusion at this point. Wilson isn’t going to be held silent in two games, especially with a rivalry hanging in the balance. Throw in the fact that this is off of a short week for Arizona and I like the more experienced Seattle team.

Week 12: at Patriots – Loss

Yes, there is good reason to believe that Bill Belichick and the Patriots are going to be a far lesser team than we’re used to seeing out of New England. However, I believe the legendary head coach will have a defense ready for Murray at Gillette Stadium that will push the Pats to a win.

Week 13: vs. Rams – Win

Full disclosure, I have no idea what to make of the Rams in 2020. Will their offensive line issues work out? Will Cam Akers make up for what Todd Gurley wasn’t? Are Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey enough on defense? Given all those questions, I’m taking the Cards at home.

Week 14: at Giants – Win

Daniel Jones and the Giants offense are another group led by a 2019 first-round quarterback that could take a nice step forward. Having said that, I have no confidence in Big Blue’s defense nor do I have confidence in their weapons outside of Saquon Barkley and (maybe) Evan Engram.

Week 15: vs. Eagles – Loss

Arizona draws a brutal finishing stretch to the regular season. They have two home games, sure, but all against potential playoff teams and two in the NFC West. The Eagles are the non-divisional opponent but I like for this defensive front of Philly to control the game and give them the road victory in the desert.

Week 16: vs. 49ers – Loss

Even though they haven’t met since Week 1, I just have a hard time believing that the Cardinals are in a place at this point where they can consistently compete with the 49ers. Expect this one to be closer but, until the Arizona defense improves a bit more, it’s full advantage to San Francisco.

Week 17: at Rams – Loss

Again, I don’t know what to make of the Rams in their first season in the new stadium — if it’s open in time — so that leads me to think a split is the right call between them and the Cardinals. Giving each a home win in the division feels like the right way to combat the unknown.

Early 2020 Cardinals Record Prediction: 8-8

Arizona going 8-8 would have to be considered a win for the franchise. Murray should take a step forward in his second year under Kingsbury, especially with the new weapons. However, he’s still a young player and I’m not sold on the Arizona defense just yet. That will cost them some games and keep them hovering around .500.