Fansided

NFL Trick or Treat: Breaking Down the Contenders

By Pete Schauer

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts after throwing his second touchdown pass in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts after throwing his second touchdown pass in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) tackles wide receiver John Brown (12) in celebration after a 75 yard touchdown by Brown during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) tackles wide receiver John Brown (12) in celebration after a 75 yard touchdown by Brown during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Treat: Arizona Cardinals (6-1)

I think the Arizona Cardinals are a team we’re all still trying to figure out, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that they’re proving to be a contender in the NFC.

Arizona has quality wins over the Chargers, San Francisco 49ers and Eagles this season and kept its head above water without Carson Palmer for a majority of the season.

With Palmer back under center, Larry Fitzgerald looks like the player of old, and rookie John Brown has looked like a season veteran in the Cardinals’ offense.

On the defensive side of things, Arizona owns the NFL’s second-best turnover difference at +9, making this team a two-headed monster.

The Cardinals have asserted themselves as the leaders of the NFC West and it’ll stay that way when the season wraps up.

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