The Arizona Cardinals face a challenging path in 2026, but there's reason to keep an eye on how their season unfolds. With an early gauntlet of tough opponents and a more manageable stretch to close out the year, the big question remains: who will be under center when it matters most?

Let's break it down game by game. The season kicks off on the road against a defense that ranked in the top ten for points allowed and top five for yards against in 2025. While the Cardinals struggled to move the ball last year, their own defensive woes were just as glaring. Early betting lines have them as double-digit underdogs, and starting 0-2 would sting—especially when the opponent is the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks. Sometimes, it's just a mismatch on paper.

If the Cardinals had shown any spark against the 49ers last season with Jacoby Brissett, there might be hope here. Instead, they were blown out so quickly that a 57-pass, 22-point performance felt like a moral victory. Some analysts are predicting just one win for Arizona this season—or even a winless campaign. But in the NFL, that's rare. Expect them to steal one early, though a showdown with Jim Harbaugh's squad could prove otherwise.

The Lions are hungry to bounce back after a disappointing 2025, and catching the Cardinals early feels like a gift for Detroit. Spoiler alert: I don't see Arizona winning a division game this year, especially not on the road against the Rams. Call me a cynic, but I'm not buying the Broncos hype either—they're due for a reality check.

Sure, the Cardinals have a recent history of beating the Cowboys, but divisional wins remain elusive—especially in Seattle. By the time they face the Rams, Los Angeles should be hitting its stride, while Arizona might be figuring out what they have in Carson Beck. And as for Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid? Until they're gone, don't bet against them.