Cardinals Rise to Top of NFC West
The Arizona Cardinals, once considered the underdogs of the NFC West, have staged a remarkable turnaround in the 2024 NFL season. After back-to-back seasons marred by a disheartening 4-13 record, the Cardinals find themselves perched at the top of the division standings with a current record of 6-4. This resurgence puts them back in the spotlight as serious contenders in the highly competitive NFC West, a division they last dominated in 2015.
A Season of Redemption
This season began unpromisingly for the Cardinals, who dropped three of their first four games, leaving analysts and fans skeptical of their potential. However, the tide turned dramatically in Week 5 with a thrilling comeback victory against the San Francisco 49ers. Trailing 23-10 at halftime, the Cardinals mounted an impressive comeback to clinch a 24-23 victory. This win not only marked a pivotal moment in their season but also set off a streak in which they won five of their next six games.
Leading this resurgence is quarterback Kyler Murray, who has maintained steadiness at the helm despite ranking 16th in the league with 12 touchdown passes and three interceptions. It's the ground game, however, that has truly powered Arizona's offense. Running back James Conner has spearheaded a dynamic rushing attack that ranks fifth in the NFL, averaging a formidable 149.4 yards per game. Conner is within striking distance of his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, needing just 303 more yards to achieve the milestone.
Upcoming Challenges
The Cardinals' upcoming schedule presents obstacles that will test their standing at the top of the division. They are set to face the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings in their next outings. The Seahawks, who boast a 5-5 record, launched their season with three straight wins and rank second in the league for passing yards per game, driven by the arm of quarterback Geno Smith. A victory for the Seahawks against the Cardinals could increase their division title chances to 29.4%, tightening the race in the NFC West.
For the Cardinals, a win over Seattle would significantly bolster their own standing, raising their chances of clinching the division to 60.4%. Given the current landscape, this matchup carries considerable implications for the postseason dreams of both franchises.
NFC West: A Tight Race
While the Cardinals lead the division, the competition is fierce. Both the San Francisco 49ers and Seahawks share a 5-5 record, with San Francisco holding a 21.5% chance of seizing the division title. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams, despite their lower 9.1% probability, could see their chances increase to 13.7% with a win against the Philadelphia Eagles. Since 2015, the NFC West has primarily been under the thumb of the 49ers and Rams, who have each topped the division three times, while the Seahawks have claimed the title twice. This shifting dynamic is adding an extra layer of intrigue to this season's divisional race.
The Path Ahead
The Cardinals’ rise to the top of the NFC West stands as a testament to their resilience and strategic adjustments. With only a 48.2% chance of clinching the division, however, their position is anything but secure. The final stretch of the season will demand both consistency and dominance in their remaining matchups. The stakes are high, and every game carries weight not just for playoff positioning but also for the franchise’s momentum moving forward.
As fans watch these storylines unfold, the Cardinals' journey offers a compelling narrative of turnaround and triumph. Whether they can sustain this momentum and capture the NFC West crown remains the question at the heart of this thrilling season.