The Arizona Cardinals will win their first six games of the 2025 season and be the last undefeated NFC. This statement was among The Athletic’s bold predictions for each NFL franchise.
Doug Haller of The Athletic wrote that the Cardinals could start 6-0 before facing their toughest test in mid-October against the Green Bay Packers. It isn’t at Lambeau Field, but that game just got a little bit tougher with the recent blockbuster trade of All-Pro Micah Parsons from Dallas to Green Bay.
Haller added that this hot of a start will assure Arizona’s status and expectation as a “playoff contender in Year 3 under (coach) Jonathan Gannon.”
Arizona opens at New Orleans, before returning home to face Carolina. From there, it visits San Francisco, hosts Seattle and Tennessee and travels to Indianapolis. Nothing in the NFL is easy, especially for a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2015, but the Cardinals could be 6-0 entering their Oct. 19 game against Green Bay.
According to ESPN, the Cardinals’ 2025 schedule is the six-easiest, its opponents last season combining for a 132-157 record (.457 winning percentage). Despite its relative ease, the slate does feature four playoff teams from 2024 — Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans. Four of those five matchups, including two against the NFC West Rams, occur Week 13 and later.
What about 2025 Cardinals’ schedule could allow for undefeated start?
None of the Cardinals’ first six opponents qualified for the 2024 season playoffs and combined for a 37-65 record.
Haller said Arizona “should have the offensive weapons (and) defensive improvement” to make it through this opening stretch without a blemish.
Offensively, a more developed quarterback-receiver connection between Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. is expected alongside clear-cut difference makers in tight end Trey McBride and running back James Conner. The defense for coordinator Nick Rallis has been revamped along the front with veteran Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson while rookies Will Johnson and Jordan Burch look capable of contributing in the open field.
A look at this potential 6-0 start to the schedule:
Sept. 7 at New Orleans Saints (2024: 5-12)
Sept. 14 vs. Carolina Panthers (2024: 5-12)
Sept. 21 at San Francisco 49ers (2024: 6-11)
Sept. 25 vs. Seattle Seahawks (2024: 10-7)
Oct. 5 vs. Tennessee Titans (2024: 3-14)
Oct. 12 at Indianapolis Colts (2024: 8-9)