Five NFL games we can’t wait to watch in the 2025 season
The NFL schedule for the 2025-2026 season has been released. Here are a few games on our must-watch list.
The Arizona Cardinals’ 2025 regular-season schedule has been released and predictions are starting to flow in for the team’s record.
What do win total odds say about how many games the team could win in the upcoming season?
How many victories do NFL writers predict the Cardinals will get in their 17-game schedule?
Check out early picks, predictions and odds for Arizona’s record in the 2025 NFL season, with some writers higher on the team’s chances than others.
BetMGM Sportsbook puts the Cardinals’ over/under win total odds at 8.5 wins, with the team at -110 to go over and at -110 to go under.
The Arizona Republic: Cardinals will go 9-8 in 2025 NFL regular season
Theo Mackie has Arizona getting off to a hot start in his game-by-game predictions for the 2025 Arizona Cardinals‘ season, with the Cardinals starting the season 5-1 before coming back to Earth when their schedule gets more difficult.
FOX Sports: Cardinals predicted to finish with 7-10 record in 2025
Eric D. Williams writes: “Arizona’s defense should improve after adding edge rusher Josh Sweat, along with defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell in free agency. The Cardinals also selected six defensive players in the draft, led by first-round defensive tackle Walter Nolen and Michigan cornerback Will Johnson in the second round. Tight end Trey McBride deservedly got a lucrative new deal this offseason and is a star in the making. However, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing still needs to figure out how to get the most out of quarterback Kyler Murray and second-year pro Marvin Harrison Jr. With James Conner turning 30 this year, there are concerns about how well the physical running back will hold up.”
USA TODAY Sports: Cardinals picked to go 9-8 in 2025 NFL season
Ayrton Ostly writes: “Arizona faces teams from the AFC South and NFC South in addition to its NFC West slate of games. That works in their favor as those two divisions combined for just two 10-win teams in 2024 (Houston and Tampa Bay). They’ll also face the Cowboys, Bengals and Packers. Road matchups against the Bengals, Buccaneers and Texans could be tough but the path is there for the team to finish above .500 for just the second time in the last decade. We reckon an even 3-3 split in divisional games will be similarly balanced by their non-division slate. A key win at home against the Falcons or Packers makes the difference for the team to get to 9-8.”
Sporting News: Cardinals picked to go 9-8 in NFL regular season
Teddy Ricketson writes: “Arizona feels like it is in for a solid season. The Cardinals have good pieces on both sides of the ball, and it should look like a more competitive football team this year. Arizona certainly has a chance to win the NFC West and, at the very least, shouldn’t be assumed to finish last as it has in recent seasons. The question becomes whether they are just going to win the games they should, or can they finally knock off some better opponents and pick up those extra wins that help them sneak into the playoffs. It feels like Arizona is really close to a bigger breakthrough, but it might not happen this year.”
Sports Illustrated: Cardinals projected to have a 10-7 record this season
Gilberto Manzano writes: “The Cardinals faded fast after a 6–4 start last season. Maybe they’ll finish better this season with the influx of talent the defense gained this offseason, including the splash signing of Josh Sweat and draft selections of Walter Nolen and Will Johnson. The Cardinals have a favorable early schedule, starting at New Orleans before a home meeting with Carolina.”
Bleacher Report: Cardinals will finish 2025 season with 10-7 record
Moe Moton writes: “The offensive line has to perform well for the Cardinals to reach double-digit wins. Right now, that unit is a question mark, with a few average interior linemen between Jonah Williams, who’s coming off an injury-shortened season, and ascending left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. Nonetheless, Murray’s willingness to make more plays with his legs could offset potential lapses in pass protection.”
NFL.com: Cardinals projected to finish with eight wins in 2025 season
Cynthia Frelund writes: “The Cardinals (who open the year at New Orleans and at home against Carolina) have the best odds of starting 2-0 in the NFL in my model, edging out the Bengals by about two percentage points. Weeks 16 (vs. Atlanta) and 17 (at Cincinnati) could prove to be an important stint in terms of Arizona’s win total.”
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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