The Arizona Cardinals are not starting off the 09′ season as they ended the 08′ season. QB Kurt Warner doesn’t seem to be the same man who led the Cardinals to one of the greatest playoff pushes in recent memory. While the wide receivers for the Cardinals are still being productive - they are not close to where they were in 08′.

Once the playoffs started the Cardinals were an entirely different team - they certainly proved that an NFL team does not have to play well at the end of the regular season to do well in the playoffs.

The Cardinals lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII in a very dramatic game. The Cardinals lead after 2:47 in the fourth quarter but couldn’t stop the Steelers from driving down the field and scoring to seal the win.

09′ has proved one thing, what you did a previous season means nothing in today’s NFL. Teams that win or go to the Super Bowl, the following year is a struggle. This makes you appreciate the teams such as the 1970’s Pittsburgh Steelers, 1980’s San Francisco 49ers, 1990’s Dallas Cowboys, and the 2000’s New England Patriots for maintaining years of constancy.

The Cardinals are not yet what they were at the end of the 08′ season, not by far. This doesn’t mean they can’t capture lightening in a bottle again. Kurt Warner is the savoy veteran who can change his game around quickly - how could you not with the talent at WR position the Cardinals have.

The Cardinals are still in a very winnable division - with the only other contender being the San Francisco 49ers lead by head coach and Mr. “I Want Winners” Mike Singletary.

The NFC West isn’t the strongest division in the NFL and with the weapons the Cardinals have - look for them to put on better performances game by game. The Cardinals must contend with the revamped San Francisco 49ers - they look like major players in the NFC this season.

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Tags: football games //