As the 2022 NFL season quickly approaches, it’s no secret that the Arizona Cardinals will have their work cut out for themselves playing in the NFC West.
In a division filled with no shortage of star power, not to mention the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, the Cardinals are seeking their first division title since 2015.
It won’t be easy, however, with the NFC West being among the toughest divisions in the league according to NFL.com’s Jeffry Chadlha.
Chadlha has the Cardinals’ division just behind the AFC West as the second best in his power rankings.
With the Rams looking to defend the Lombardi Trophy and the San Francisco 49ers working in new quarterback Trey Lance, Chadlha thinks the Cardinals could play a big role in the division.
The wild card here is Arizona. There’s been plenty of recent drama surrounding Kyler Murray’s contract, but this team is known for its fast starts and ugly finishes. If the Cardinals can find a way to avoid another late-season meltdown, they might find themselves back in the postseason as well.
Chadlha writes that division rivals like the Rams seem obsessed with repeating and could do so with the additions of Bobby Wagner and Allen Robinson. He said the division’s competitiveness could be determined by the 49ers and if Lance looks as good as advertised in the preseason.
The Cardinals will start divisional play in Week 3, when they play host to the Rams.
Weeks 9-11 could be pivotal for Arizona should it look to contend for an NFC West title, having three straight games against all of the division (SEA, @LA, SF).
Chadlha had the NFC West behind the AFC West as the league’s superior division and it’s not very hard to tell why: quarterback.
After a crazy NFL offseason that sent Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos from the Seattle Seahawks, the AFC West is loaded with signal callers.
Wilson joins Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Derek Carr in the division.
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