The Arizona Cardinals had a 2018 to forget.
The new-look 2019 Cardinals are on a mission to make last year seem like a distant memory.
The Cards made some wholesale changes after a 3-13 campaign that saw head coach Steve Wilks go one and done in Arizona. Will the Cards experience more success with new head coach Kliff Kingsbury and rookie quarterback/No. 1 pick Kyler Murray in charge?
Here are ABC15's predictions for the Cardinals' 2019 season.
ABC15.com sportswriter Shane Dale
This year’s team is among the most difficult to project in recent memory – not just for the Cardinals, but for any NFL club. Between a head coach with no NFL experience and a completely atypical NFL quarterback, Michael Bidwill and Steve Keim have put together one heck of an experiment in the desert.
Here’s the problem: Even if the Kliff Kingsbury-Kyler Murray experiment succeeds, it’s likely in for a rough Year One, simply because the supporting cast doesn’t look like it’ll be all that supportive. The offensive line doesn’t appear to be much better than it was last year, the defensive front (outside of Chandler Jones) doesn’t strike fear in the hearts of opponents, and the Cards will be without their two best cornerbacks for at least the first six games of the season.
This year’s Cardinals should be an entertaining group on offense and will show promise that last year’s unit didn’t. It will be enough to give fans hope for the future – but the present is going to be rough.
Prediction: 4-12, last place in NFC West
ABC15 real-time editor Clayton Klapper
What would define a “successful” season in 2019 for the Arizona Cardinals is very subjective. A rookie QB, first-year coach and an offense that hasn’t been displayed yet are just a few of the question marks surrounding the team.
I expect some heavy growing pains for Kyler Murray, but some flashy moments on the field, as well, that will remind everyone why he was a No. 1 pick. The good news is this season should be a lot better than the last, but I don’t expect the Cardinals to be in realistic playoff contention coming out of their Week 12 bye.
Prediction: 6-10, last place in NFC West
