It is playoff time with a Cardinals Wild Card game on Monday night agains the rams. At the beginning of the season, most Cardinal fans would have been more than happy with an 11-6 record with a playoff appearance. However, it is no longer the beginning of the season. Cardinal fans have the benefit of hindsight in declaring if the 2021 season is a success. In theory, there should be a celebration for a team that has improved from 5 wins to 11 wins in three seasons. Plus, it is the first playoff appearance for the franchise since 2015. Hopefully the first of many for Kyler Murray.
Instead, there is an aura of skepticism and hesitation surrounding the football team. A team that started out 10-2 lost 6 of their last 7 games. As of week-14 they had a 97% chance to win the NFC West and let it slip away. Also, the offense has looked altogether lost and it has only gotten worse with the absence of Deandre Hopkins.
Th narrative of Kliff Kingsbury teams fading down the stretch will only be cured by one antidote. Getting a playoff victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The Cardinals get put all of the worry and fear to bed by advancing in the playoffs. They can do even more to help their cause if Kyler has the best game of his life as Kingsbury suggests. A strong Kyler Murray performance can even overcome a lackluster coaching display by Kliff.
The Cardinals will certainly get a moral boost by having J.J. Watt return to action on Monday. Watt has been absent with a shoulder injury since Week-7. Although Watt is a team captain and has likely had his voice heard, it’s different when the captain is on the field. Being in the action with the other players makes Watts already expansive voice even louder. Even if Watt only play 20 snaps on Monday, they will likely be the most impactful snaps.
For the Cardinals to have a successful season in 2021, there is only one way to make it happen. Beat the Rams and advance. The failure in the back 1/3 of the season, missing out on the division, looking inept on offense, it all goes away. Neither of these teams are likely to advance past this round. Especially with how good the Buccaneers looked against the Eagles.
The task is simple, win a game on the road and leave a good taste in the mouth of fans this year. Win a game on the road which they have already done 8 times this year. Win a game in So-Fi Stadium which they already did Week-4 this season. Win a game and your season will be an undisputed success.
Be sure to get all of the best info during the game from ESPN.