Arizona Cardinals – 2009 Preview
2008 Record: 9-7
Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt
In 2008, the Cardinals went 9-7 and won their first division title since ’75. An unlikely run in the postseason landed them a ticket to the big game: The 2009 Super Bowl. They had a shot at winning their first NFL title since 1947; the longest drought in the league. They ended up losing to one of the most successful franchises (The Pittsburgh Steelers) by only 4 points. Final Score: 27-23. With a similar record, it’s possible for the Cardinals to have the same kind of success. Unfortunately, it’s hard to rebound from a loss in the Super Bowl. In this decade, only one team (the Seahawks) has returned to the postseason after losing the big one. The other six followed up with losing records.
Offensively, the Cardinals have the tools they need to do well in 2009. Last year Arizona was ranked 3 in points per game, 2 in passing yards per game, and 4 in yards per game. Most of the squad returns, including QB Kurt Warner and WR Larry Fitzgerald. Although 9 starters return to the Cardinals’ defense, the stats they posted last year were mostly unimpressive. They ranked 19 in points allowed per game.
The Arizona Cardinals preseason starts off against whom? That’s right, Pittsburgh (at Heinz field) on Thursday, August 13th 8PM ET to be aired on ESPN. Rematch? Not quite. It’s only the preseason. It will, however, be interesting to compare the intensity levels of both teams just 7 months after a close Super Bowl matchup. After Pittsburgh, the Cardinals play San Diego at home on August 22nd, Green Bay at home on August 28th, and then at Denver on September 3rd – ten days before their regular season begins.
Regular Season Schedule:
1 Sunday, September 13 vs. San Francisco 4:15 PM
2 Sunday, September 20@ Jacksonville 1:00 PM
3 Sunday, September 27 vs. Indianapolis 8:20 PM
4 BYE
5 Sunday, October 11 vs. Houston 4:15 PM
6 Sunday, October 18 @ Seattle 4:05 PM
7 Sunday, October 25 @ NY Giants 8:20 PM
8 Sunday, November 1 vs. Carolina 4:15 PM
9 Sunday, November 8 @ Chicago 1:00 PM
10 Sunday, November 15 vs.Seattle 4:15 PM
11 Sunday, November 22 @ St. Louis 4:05 PM
12 Sunday, November 29 @ Tennessee 1:00 PM
13 Sunday, December 6 vs. Minnesota 4:15 PM
14 Monday, December 14 @ San Francisco 8:30 PM
15 Sunday, December 20 @ Detroit 1:00 PM
16 Sunday, December 27 vs. St. Louis 4:05 PM
17 Sunday, January 3 vs. Green Bay 4:15 PM
Prediction: The Super Bowl loss “hangover” is real. Expect them to have a hard time getting out of bed.
Record: 8-8
Odds that Arizona wins the 2010 Super Bowl are 26-1
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