Arizona Cardinals Trying to Squeeze Into Playoff Picture

Francisco Romero

Tucson, AZ – With two games to play in the regular season, the Arizona Cardinals are on the verge of finishing with the franchise’s best record in Arizona.  Here is the catch though, even if they win their last two games they are also on the verge of not making the playoffs.   

The Cardinals, coming of an amazing overtime win (37-34) against the Tennessee Titans have a record of 9-5 with a chance to finish with 11 wins, something the franchise has not experienced since 1975 when they were in St. Louis.   

Arizona will face Seattle next Sunday, a game that Head Coach Bruce Arians is looking forward to, “It is a great barometer to see how far you’ve come,” he said during the Cardinals Daily Report.  He also mentioned the importance of winning on the road, “We need to win our games, and we need to win our division games on the road to prove that we have made some progress.”   

The Cardinals are looking for one of two wildcard spots available to make the playoffs.   

First and foremost the Cardinals have to win their last two games, but even if that happens they don’t hold their destiny in their hands since Carolina has to loose at least one game.  If Carolina loses one game, assuming the Cardinals with their last two, both teams would finish with the same record, but the advantage will go to Arizona since it beat Carolina earlier in the season.  

The easy way to make the playoffs is for Arizona to win its last two games and the Panthers to lose their last two games.   

As it is winning 11 games this season may not mean much as Head Coach Arian explains, “It wont mean anything if we don’t make the playoffs.”  

NOTES:

The Arizona Cardinals have 5 key players with injuries, it doesn’t mean all 5 will be out of action against the Seahawks, but makes the task of winning the last two games a bit difficult.  Players with injuries: Andre Ellington (bruised thigh), Rob Housler (groin), Rashad Johnson (ankle), Carson Palmer (ankle) and Larry Fitzgerald (concussion).  

Last Two Games:  

12/22: Arizona Cardinals Vs Seattle Seahawks (In Seattle)

12/29: Arizona Cardinals Vs San Francisco 49ers (University of Phoenix Stadium)

Photo: Courtesy Arizona Cardinals