The Arizona Cardinals are nowhere near where they thought they would be at the midway point of the schedule. A record of 2-5-0 and dead last in the NFC West Division was not the plan.
RELATED: CARDINALS MIDSEASON REPORT CARD
Is the season lost? Depends. In fact, it depends on what happens against the Dallas Cowboys on the road on Monday Night Football.
This one game is the day before the NFL trade deadline, set for Tuesday, November 4 at 4:00 pm (Eastern). Why is that so important? Because the Cardinals just could be buyers or end up as sellers. And they won’t know for sure until after the game against Dallas.
The Cowboys (3-4-1) are in second place in the NFC East Division. Dallas needs this win to keep pace in their division. Every team in the NFC West has a winning record except for Arizona. A loss would pretty much place an exclamation mark on the season, and even though the Cardinals would still be mathematically in the playoff race for a Wild Card seed, it would take a run on the final number of games to accomplish this feat.
A win over Dallas could influence the Cardinals’ front office to try to bring in a few chess pieces to help out for the remainder of the schedule. A loss might make GM Monti Ossenfort decide to part ways with a body or two to assist with the salary cap for next year. It’s a business and not a game, you know.
Even though their record is currently a huge disappointment, the team does have some good news about some much-needed help on both sides of the ball.
After the Cowboys’ contest, RB Trey Benson is eligible to come off the IR list and begin practicing if he is ready to come off rehab.
TEMPE, ARIZONA – JUNE 3: Defensive lineman Walter Nolen III #97 of the Arizona Cardinals runs a defensive drill during the AZ Cardinals OTAs at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on June 3, 2025 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images) Getty Images
Last week, the team opened up the 21-day practice window for rookie DT Walter Nolen to return. He was able to practice in a limited capacity in his first three days and looked like he just might be ready to get back on the field after being selected with the 16th pick in this year’s NFL draft out of Ole Miss.
Nolen suffered a calf injury before training camp and was subsequently placed on the PUP list before the season began. The thought process after coming off their bye week is that Nolen would debut against Dallas.
On a Zoom call to members of the media this week, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon gave this assertion about Nolen’s availability against the Cowboys:
“He’s got a big time plan this week. Everyone’s a little bit different with this. It’s not just a week off here. He has to keep progressing as he would if we had a normal week, I would say.”
Another key player found his way back to the huddle with last year’s first-round draft pick DE Darius Robinson. He was able to play against the Green Bay Packers right before the bye, after missing a few games against the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts, both of which were losses. Against the Packers, he played in a minimal capacity with just 22 defensive snaps (39.3%).
Hopefully, soon, CB Garrett Williams will return from IR.
RELATED: CARDINALS OPEN PRACTICE WINDOW FOR GARRETT WILLIAMS
He has already served his four-game requirement. Williams is one of the team’s biggest defensive pieces that is missing. The team released RB Michael Carter and CB Darren Hall from the active roster in moves that signify the injured players will need their spot on the 53-man roster.
Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins (25) sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
Attrition affects every club every season. But the addition of these players, plus a win over the Cowboys, could influence Ossenfort to make a few trades to fill obvious holes in this roster and fight for a playoff spot this year.
Last year, five clubs with 10-7-0 records qualified for the postseason. So, 10 wins is the magic number to hopefully secure a Wild Card spot.
Granted, the remainder of the schedule is pretty brutal. And it all starts against the Cowboys, who are one of the league’s most explosive offensive teams. But they also have one of the NFL’s worst defenses.
All of the teams in the Cardinals’ division are very good clubs. Arizona has four more division games on the agenda, including two against an exceptional Los Angeles Rams squad.
Let’s just get past Dallas, then decide. Build up – or rebuild.
The fat lady has her sheet music out and is adjusting her music stand. But she hasn’t sung any notes quite yet.