The Arizona Cardinals, one of the most iconic franchises in the NFL, have had a rocky path throughout their history. From their early years to the present, they’ve faced numerous highs and lows, each season providing its own unique challenges and opportunities. As we look at the Arizona Cardinals standings for the 2024 season, it’s essential to understand how the team has performed, what they’ve done right, and where they’ve fallen short.
Arizona Cardinals: A Quick Overview
The Arizona Cardinals, established in 1898, have seen their fair share of struggles and triumphs in the NFL. Currently part of the NFC West division, they compete against some tough teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams. Over the years, the Cardinals have had some standout seasons, including their Super Bowl appearance in 2008, though they have yet to secure a championship title.
As of the 2024 season, the Arizona Cardinals are navigating a period of transition. After parting ways with their previous head coach and bringing in new leadership, they’re focused on rebuilding and establishing a strong foundation for the future. This means they’ve gone through changes both on and off the field, including a revamped roster, new draft picks, and adjustments to their overall strategy.
2024 Arizona Cardinals Team Overview
Before diving into the standings, let’s take a closer look at how the 2024 Arizona Cardinals are constructed. Key players, coaching changes, and their overall strategy are crucial to understanding their performance.
Coaching Staff: The Arizona Cardinals hired a new head coach to steer the team in the right direction. While the transition took some time to settle, the coaching staff is building a culture of discipline, focus, and improvement. The coaching staff’s approach to development and adapting the playbook to the strengths of their key players is central to their performance in 2024.
Key Players: The Cardinals’ roster includes some established veterans and promising young players. Quarterback Kyler Murray remains the cornerstone of the offense, providing leadership and skill in the pocket. On defense, standout players such as linebacker Zaven Collins and cornerback Marco Wilson help anchor the team’s defense, while new additions continue to add depth.
Draft Picks and Trades: The 2024 season marked a significant change in the Cardinals’ roster, with a few key draft picks and trades aimed at filling gaps in crucial positions. The front office has worked to add depth to both the offensive and defensive lines, which have been weak spots in recent seasons.
Arizona Cardinals 2024 Season Standings
Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s dive into the Cardinals’ performance in the 2024 season. Their standings are reflective of the team’s growth, struggles, and potential.
Week 1-6: A Rough Start
The Cardinals began the 2024 season with a few bumps in the road, recording a series of losses in the early weeks. They faced tough opponents right out of the gate, including playoff contenders like the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. As a result, the Cardinals were 1-5 at the start of Week 6.
Despite the rough start, the team showed flashes of promise, especially from Murray, who made several spectacular plays despite being under heavy pressure from opposing defenses. However, the team’s defense struggled to stop the run and create turnovers, leaving them vulnerable to high-scoring offenses. The Cardinals’ inability to finish games became a recurring theme, and it was evident that the team still had work to do.
Week 7-10: Building Momentum
By mid-season, the Cardinals began to find their rhythm. They secured key wins against divisional rivals, including the Los Angeles Rams, which boosted their standing in the NFC West. Despite continuing to face injuries and challenges on both sides of the ball, the team seemed to find a more balanced approach to their game, leaning on their offensive line to give Murray the protection he needed to make plays.
At the halfway point of the season, the Cardinals were sitting at 3-7, a record that reflected some improvements but still left them in the lower tier of the division standings. They still had a long way to go, but their performances in the second quarter of the season proved they were making progress.
Week 11-14: The Push for Respect
Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, the Cardinals made a concerted effort to prove they were not a team to be taken lightly. They began to perform better defensively, with the defensive line applying more pressure and forcing key turnovers. Murray continued to show his resilience and leadership, throwing for impressive yardage and connecting with key receivers like Marquise Brown and Trey McBride.
However, they faced tough matchups against the NFC’s top contenders, including the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. Despite their improvements, the Cardinals struggled to consistently win against these high-powered teams, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.
By Week 14, the Cardinals were sitting at 5-9, with no clear path to a playoff berth but still showing fight and determination in every game they played. This stretch of the season was essential for showing the character of the team and the foundation they were building under their new coaching staff.
Week 15-17: Final Chances and Growth
With only a few games left, the Cardinals were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. However, their focus shifted to building for the future, with an emphasis on player development and improving their record. They faced teams with similar or worse records, and these games allowed them to experiment with different lineups and strategies.
The Cardinals ended the season with a 6-11 record, which, while not good enough to make the playoffs, showed marked improvement over the previous year. The team was more competitive in their losses and demonstrated that they were capable of putting together complete games when necessary.
NFC West Standings at a Glance
Here’s how the Arizona Cardinals stacked up against the rest of the NFC West teams during the 2024 season:
- San Francisco 49ers: 12-5
- Seattle Seahawks: 9-8
- Los Angeles Rams: 8-9
- Arizona Cardinals: 6-11
While the Cardinals finished last in their division, their performance in 2024 indicated that the team was not as far behind as their record suggested. With some key pieces in place and a clearer direction under the new coaching staff, the team could potentially make a push for higher standings in the years to come.
Looking Ahead: Arizona Cardinals’ Future
The 2024 season was a building year for the Arizona Cardinals. While they didn’t achieve playoff success, they made strides in developing their roster and establishing a new culture. As we look toward the future, the Cardinals will likely continue to focus on player development, improving their defense, and supporting Kyler Murray as their franchise quarterback.
The Cardinals’ standing in 2024 is not indicative of their long-term potential. With the right pieces in place and continued development, they could become a formidable force in the NFC West in the coming years. However, for now, they’ll take their lessons from this season and use them as fuel for future improvement.
Conclusion
The 2024 season for the Arizona Cardinals was a year of growth and resilience, marked by both challenges and progress. Despite a rocky start and an ultimately disappointing record of 6-11, the team showed significant improvement as the season went on. Kyler Murray’s leadership, coupled with a developing defense and promising young talent, suggests that the Cardinals are on the right path. While the playoff berth eluded them this year, the foundation for a brighter future has been laid. As the team continues to build on these lessons, there is optimism that the Cardinals will become a stronger contender in the years to come.
FAQs
What was the Arizona Cardinals’ record in the 2024 season?
The Arizona Cardinals finished the 2024 season with a 6-11 record.
How did Kyler Murray perform in the 2024 season?
Kyler Murray showed strong leadership and resilience throughout the season, making several impressive plays despite challenges from opposing defenses.
Why did the Arizona Cardinals struggle defensively in 2024?
While there were improvements over the course of the season, the Cardinals’ defense struggled with stopping the run, creating turnovers, and holding up against high-powered offenses.
What are the Arizona Cardinals’ prospects for the future?
With key players in place, such as Kyler Murray, and an emphasis on player development, the Cardinals have the potential to become a stronger team in future seasons, especially with continued progress on both offense and defense.
How do the Arizona Cardinals compare to other NFC West teams?
The Cardinals finished last in the NFC West with a 6-11 record. The San Francisco 49ers led the division with a 12-5 record, followed by the Seattle Seahawks at 9-8 and the Los Angeles Rams at 8-9.
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