With the First Pick 5.0: Cardinals inch closer to the first overall pick

Another lost season. Geez. Not the Christmas gift Arizona Cardinals fans were looking for.

Remember back in the mid-teens when Bruce Arians had the Cardinals going through winning seasons and in the playoffs for several years? Those were exciting times to be a Cardinals fan. Being a good team during the regular season, then winning entry-level playoff games, and ending up in the NFC Championship Game with an opportunity to be in that year’s Super Bowl. It truly was a magical time to be a fan of the Cardinals.

10 wins, followed by 11 victories, and then that 13-3-0 2015 season that ended with a 49-15 loss to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship Game.

And those squads weren’t the best the franchise had to offer. But they were consistently a playoff team. That was exciting for the fanbase to see their team in the postseason for several seasons in a row.

How many seasons yielded double-digit losses? 2025 represents the 31st in franchise history. 16 since being named the “Arizona Cardinals.” Add another four since relocating from St. Louis to Phoenix.

And now, Arizona has the opportunity to yet again own the first overall pick in next April’s NFL draft. Hell no, we aren’t proud of that fact. And yet, here we are again.

Can the Cardinals end up with the first overall pick in next April’s NFL draft? Where do they sit now?

If the season were to end today, here are the standings from the bottom upwards:

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#32, Pick #1New York Football Giants 2-13-0

Last five games: 0-5. Last game: Lost Vikings 16-13

Winnable opponents remaining: Raiders, Cowboys

Ranking last week: 32 (unchanged)

Strength of Schedule remaining: .283

#31, Pick #2Las Vegas Raiders 2-13-0

Last five games: 0-5. Last game: Lost Texans 23-21

Winnable opponents remaining: Giants

Ranking last week: 31 (unchanged)

Strength of Schedule remaining: .267

#30, Pick #3Cleveland Browns 3-12-0

Last five games: 1-4. Last game: Lost Bills 23-20

Winnable opponents remaining: Bengals, maybe Steelers

Ranking last week: 29 (up 1)

Strength of Schedule remaining: .467

#29, Pick #4New York Jets 3-12-0

Last five games: 1-4. Last game: Lost Saints 29-6

Winnable opponents remaining: none

Ranking last week: 28 (up 1)

Strength of Schedule remaining: .767 (highest)

#28, Pick #5Tennessee Titans 3-12-0

Last five games: 2-3. Last game: Beat Chiefs 26-9

Winnable opponents remaining: Saints

Ranking last week: 30 (down 2)

Strength of Schedule remaining: .533

#27, Pick #6Arizona Cardinals 3-12-0

Last five games: 0-5. Last game: Lost Falcons 26-19

Winnable opponents remaining: Bengals

Ranking last week: 27 (unchanged)

Strength of Schedule remaining: .533

#26, Pick #7Washington Commanders 4-11-0

Last five games: 1-4. Last game: Lost Eagles 29-18

Winnable opponents remaining: Cowboys

Ranking last week: 25 (up 1)

Strength of Schedule remaining: .550

#25, Pick #8New Orleans Saints 5-10-0

Last five games: 3-2. Last game: Beat Jets 29-6

Winnable opponents remaining: Titans, Falcons

Ranking last week: 26 (down 1)

Strength of Schedule remaining: .300

With the First Pick 5.0: Cardinals inch closer to the first overall pick

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