The Cardinals enter their 2026 campaign in a rough but promising spot after a very disappointing 2025 season. It was a year of injuries, blowout losses, and forgettable performances. Now, Arizona is entering a new era in the valley.
It may be a shaky start to this new regime in Arizona, as the Cardinals have the league’s hardest schedule by a wide margin. Being a part of the NFC West doesn’t help at all for Mike LaFleur and co. Despite that, some new young pieces and a newly hired head coach give Arizona fans something to look forward to.
Arizona has some of the league’s toughest matchups this year, so the young core for the Cardinals will have to step up. A chance at the playoffs currently looks slim, but anything can happen in the modern age of football.
Each week will be a grind and a showcase of versatility, toughness, and discipline. Despite the immense challenges each week will bring, Arizona will have to rise to the occasion for a win.
Week 1: Cardinals @ Chargers
Starting the season on the road is already a hurdle to climb for Arizona. Add that onto facing one of the best quarterbacks in the league, making optimism very scarce. Not only do the Chargers have Justin Herbert, but they have him operating a Jim Harbaugh/Mike McDaniel offense.
Expect this week one game to be high-scoring. The Chargers are bringing their high-powered offense against a Cardinals defense full of holes. Arizona’s defense will be on its heels most of the contest.
This doesn’t rule out the Cardinals’ offensive capabilities. A solidified receiving corps, a promising rookie running back, and a new offensive-minded head coach; the scoring will certainly dent the questionable Chargers defense. This game will come down to the turnover battle and who has the longest time of possession.
Prediction: Chargers 31, Cardinals 24
Record: 0-1
Week 2: Cardinals vs Seahawks
The home opener for Arizona will be a challenge in their first divisional matchup. Facing off against the Super Bowl champs seems daunting, but don’t be surprised if this contest is close. Seattle lost a few key contributors after their championship run, and their replacements are unproven.
Last season, Seattle came out on top in these two teams’ first matchup. In a close 23-20 final score, Marvin Harrison Jr. had arguably his best game of the season, hauling in six receptions along with a receiving touchdown.
Arizona’s passing game has potential to give the Seattle secondary a lot of trouble. Once again, this will be based on the turnover battle and who controls the trenches for the majority of the game.
Prediction: Cardinals 27, Seahawks 20
Record: 1-1
Week 3: Cardinals @ 49ers
Back-to-back NFC West matchups for the Cardinals, now they’re headed up to northern California. After a close win against Seattle, the Cardinals have difficulty against the 49ers. San Francisco’s high-powered offensive scheme gives the Arizona defense a lot of trouble with Kyle Shanahan’s play action and motion.
Arizona’s offense will have to find success through the air, but they’ll constantly be playing catch-up. Mike LaFleur has to call plays nearly perfectly to give the Cardinals a chance in this one. Brock Purdy, over the last couple of seasons, always had a number on the Cardinals. Purdy’s success continues in week 3.
Prediction: 49ers 30, Cardinals 17
Record: 1-2
Week 4: Cardinals @ Giants
A matchup where two head coaches are spending their first season with their respective teams. Both coaches are looking for a win at MetLife, one a first-year coach and the other highly experienced. John Harbaugh will nearly be adjusted to his squad in New York, most likely garnering consistency entering this week 4 matchup.
It will be tough for Arizona’s offense to find success, as the Giants’ defensive caliber has grown immensely. Multiple new faces, including first-round pick Arvell Reese, will disrupt the flow of Arizona’s offense.
Prediction: Giants 27, Cardinals 13
Record: 1-3
Week 5: Cardinals vs Lions
The Cardinals face another playoff-caliber team as they head back to Glendale. Detroit may have the better odds, but don’t doubt Arizona in this game.
Arizona can exploit the Lions through the air, whether it’s with Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr, or Trey McBride. Arizona’s offense will have to take care of the ball because driving up the time of possession keeps the ball away from the Lions’ high-powered offense.
The Cardinals may find success offensively; however, that doesn’t mean their defense will step up. This is due to star running back Jahmyr Gibbs being on the other side. Gibbs has the potential to run all over the Arizona defense. New defensive coordinator Nick Rallis will have to prep his group for not just Gibbs, but the rest of the Lion offensive weapons.
Prediction: Lions 38, Cardinals 31
Record: 1-4
Week 6: Cardinals @ Rams
On paper, this matchup is heavily one-sided.
The Rams have built a juggernaut on both sides of the ball, especially after bringing back Aaron Donald on a one-year deal. Coupled with trading for Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, the Rams have a recipe against opposing offenses.
Arizona’s offense is just constantly on its heels in this one. The offensive line will crumble against the Rams’ front seven causing an overall domination. Los Angeles hands the Cardinals their fourth straight loss, dropping optimism even more for Arizona.
Prediction: Rams 41, Cardinals 13
Record: 1-5
Week 7: Cardinals vs Broncos
Two weeks in a row, the Cardinals will face a top defense in the league. Denver’s stout front seven, along with its lockdown secondary, brings schematic issues for Arizona’s passing attack.
The Cardinals’ weapons don’t rely solely on the air, as rookie running back Jeremiyah Love brings a more balanced array. If the Cardinals find any momentum in this game, they will have to rely on Love breaking out. However, it won’t be enough for Arizona, which drops another home game in Glendale.
Prediction: Broncos 20, Cardinals 17
Record: 1-6
Week 8: Cardinals @ Cowboys
The Cowboys’ passing attack is the biggest challenge for Arizona to overcome in week 8. Undoubtedly, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb are a step ahead of the Cardinals’ secondary. Arizona will need to disrupt Dallas’ offensive line in order to stand a chance.
In the event that Arizona’s defense steps up and forces a turnover, its offense has to take advantage. In games like this, the Cardinals can’t take their foot off the gas. Jacoby Brissett and the rest of the offense have to be sharp. All things considered, the Cardinals fail and lose another matchup.
Prediction: Cowboys 24, Cardinals 20
Record: 1-7
Week 9: Cardinals @ Seahawks
In no situation should this Cardinals team sweep the reigning Super Bowl champs. Despite that, Arizona might still give Seattle a run for its money. This’ll be a tough matchup for Arizona, reason being the talent they’re facing and the presence of the 12th man in Seattle.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and his extravagant defensive schemes will bring a lot of confusion to whoever is under center. Not only that, but the offensive system that Mike LaFleur uses doesn’t bode well against Macdonald’s defense.
Prediction: Seahawks 27, Cardinals 10
Record: 1-8
Week 10: Cardinals vs Rams
With a 1-8 record, Arizona now is “Marching for Arch,” or whoever they deem their future franchise quarterback. Facing the highly talented Rams squad doesn’t give great odds of even standing a chance.
This could very well be the game where the Cardinals are completely left out of conversations for the rest of the season, unless it is draft-related. The Cardinals’ schedule is brutal, and these first ten weeks show how harsh the NFL can be.
Prediction: Rams 31, Cardinals 13
Record: 1-9
Week 11: Cardinals @ Chiefs
Mike LaFleur and co. now have to travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face a familiar foe in Kenneth Walker. Not only that, but they also have to play in Arrowhead Stadium. Walker won’t be the main player Arizona will be concerned about, as Patrick Mahomes is handing the ball off to Walker.
This’ll certainly be a rough game for the Arizona defense, but the offense could garner success against Kansas City’s defense. Arizona will have to get their run game going and avoid turnovers, which is a very tall task given the Cardinals’ situation at this point.
Prediction: Chiefs 34, Cardinals 24
Record: 1-10
Week 12: Cardinals vs Commanders
Finally, a matchup for Arizona that isn’t David vs Goliath. That being said, the Commanders don’t present an easy game for the Cardinals, as Washington still brings trouble. Assuming everyone is healthy, Jayden Daniels is certainly a threat to light up the opposing secondary with his mobility and playmaking.
The Cardinals’ youth will be what Arizona relies on against Washington. Jeremiyah Love certainly could make his case for offensive rookie of the year in the second half of the season, starting with this matchup.
Prediction: Cardinals 31, Commanders 27
Record: 2-10
Week 13: Cardinals vs Eagles
Two home games in a row for the Cardinals before their bye week, both games hosting NFC East opponents. This time around, Philadelphia steps into Glendale, most likely trying to improve its own playoff chances against an already defeated Cardinals squad.
Although the situation doesn’t favor the Cardinals, some players can still shine in these late season matchups. Marvin Harrison Jr. definitely ignites against the Philly secondary and has himself an outstanding game. That doesn’t mean it’s enough for Arizona to come out with back-to-back wins at home.
Prediction: Eagles 20, Cardinals 16
Record: 2-11
Week 14: Bye Week
Overall, Arizona’s stance at this point is a 2-11 record, near the bottom of the NFC, with aspirations of the first overall pick.
Week 15: Cardinals vs Jets
Coming out of the bye week, the Cardinals face off against a fellow bottom-of-the-barrel team. The Jets come into Glendale a week before Christmas, hoping to develop their young pieces, while the Cardinals are looking to do the same.
Carson Beck undoubtedly has a chance to start this game, allowing him to showcase his ability. This matchup certainly will be high scoring, and Marvin Harrison Jr could be the player of the game against a weak New York secondary.
Prediction: Cardinals 34, Jets 24
Record: 3-11
Week 16: Cardinals @ Saints
After a long home stretch for Arizona, they head down to the bayou for a late December date. New Orleans is an interesting opponent for the Cardinals, as their roster is young and isn’t to be taken lightly. Tyler Shough showed promise in his rookie season, and he could jolt the Saints into the top spot in the NFC South.
That said, assuming the Saints are fighting for the NFC South title, they’ll have much more to play for against Arizona. An upset is still a high possibility, but the Saints will have more motivation overall in this matchup, sneaking out a win in the Superdome.
Prediction: Saints 20, Cardinals 10
Record: 3-12
Week 17: Cardinals vs Raiders
Entering the new year, the Cardinals face off against a team that is also finishing its first year of a new era. Both teams most likely won’t be playing for a playoff spot, but rather progression and pure bragging rights. Fans on each side will be hoping for losses, while coaches and players will play purely out of competitiveness.
Jeremiyah Love and Ashton Jeanty are the two names to look out for in this game, as both were touted as generational talents in their position. Klint Kubiak and Mike LaFleur will be facing off for the first time as well, and Kubiak might just have the edge over LaFleur in this one.
Prediction: Raiders 27, Cardinals 20
Record: 3-13
Week 18: Cardinals vs 49ers
The final game, and the final divisional game for the Cardinals, brings them against San Francisco. The 49ers potentially are fighting for a playoff spot, while the Cardinals play for bragging rights in the NFC West.
The passing attack for the Cardinals could give the 49ers a lot of trouble, and Jeremiyah Love could be the spoiler for the 49ers’ playoff hopes. Don’t be surprised if Arizona closes out its dreadful season with a win and some hope for the offseason.
Prediction: Cardinals 27, 49ers 24
Record: 4-13
Arizona has an abundance of players with potential who’ll step up in games when the Cardinals are underdogs. With the hardest schedule in the league, it’ll be tough to keep the successful underdog mantra consistent.
2026 is a building year for the Cardinals, and fans should expect that in Arizona. Players will progress, and others might disappoint. Week by week, the Cardinals will show effort and growth, leading them to the offseason where a franchise quarterback looms.
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