Between now and the end of August, TGS will offer up a quick snapshot of every NFL team heading into the 2015 regular season. We kick it off with the Arizona Cardinals.
2014 in a nutshell: Led by one of the league’s stingiest defenses, the Cardinals start 9-1. But the loss of quarterback Carson Palmer becomes too much to overcome as Arizona limps to a 2-4 finish before losing handily to the Carolina Panthers on wild-card weekend.
Why 2015 could be different: Palmer is healthy again after missing 10 games due to a torn ACL. He’s 35 and a major injury concern, but the guy still posted an 11-to-3 touchdown to interception ratio last season and has the ability to lead a talented team to the Super Bowl if everything comes together.
Major additions: Three-time Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati is a steal free-agent addition to a line that is extremely talented, especially with first-round offensive tackle D.J. Humphries on board.
Major losses: Darnell Dockett and Antonio Cromartie are both gone, but both defenders have seen better days. Dockett is 34, Cromartie is 31.
Breakout watch: It’s about time injury-prone 2013 top-10 pick Jonathan Cooper finally starts putting it together at right guard. Again, if that can happen, this line could dominate.
Position to watch: Running back Andre Ellington was expected by many to shine in 2014 after a stellar rookie season, but his average plummeted and now the Cards have added third-round rookie David Johnson to the fray. They also have 2013 fifth-rounder Stepfan Taylor and a dude named Kerwynn Williams, who quietly averaged 4.6 yards per carry last season. So maybe one of those guys can finally give this offense some stability in the backfield.
Prediction: It looks like they got better on both sides of the ball, plus Palmer’s back. So there’s no reason to believe they won’t once again push the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West crown. Ultimately, though, Seattle is stronger. We’ll give them 12 wins and suggest that this time they get a road victory on wild-card weekend.
