The Arizona Cardinals are aware of the team that leads the division.
The Arizona Cardinals are nearly infallible when it comes to their next opponent.
With four weeks remaining in the season, the 10-3 San Francisco 49ers are the only team that has already guaranteed a postseason spot. They are playing the best complementary football in the league and easily defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, who were once the NFC’s top seed.
Despite having a bye week following a solid road victory in Pittsburgh, the Cardinals have lost their last three games against their NFC West rivals. This could improve their chances.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon stated he was watching their next opponent on their only Sunday off of the season.
Well, kind of.
Indeed, to some extent. There, I believe I had to catch a few quarters,” Gannon remarked. “Yes, we watched it for a little while, but I was cooking Sunday sauce, so that (had) my attention.”
With one trip to the Super Bowl, San Francisco has seen three NFC title games in the previous four seasons and is expected to again mount a strong postseason push.
They constantly knock on the door and are a consistent winner. By that measure, yes, that’s what you’re looking for, as they put themselves in a position to have a chance to play meaningful football in late January,” Gannon remarked.
“You want to earn the right to play more games than 17 and you want to be playing meaningful games in January.” Evidently, it has been constructed correctly ever since 49ers General Manager John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan took over. They had a few rough years in the beginning, but they picked it up and are now a very good football team. Their track record demonstrates it. All three phases are immediately apparent to you as you watch the tape. They’ve got good players, they’re well coached and they win games so that’s what everybody in the NFL is trying to do.”
Not many expect the Cardinals to hang with the 49ers, as oddsmakers have them as the largest underdogs in Week 15.