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One reason each team can win Super Bowl 53

By Joe Schiller

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts as Tom Brady No. 12 looks on before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts as Tom Brady No. 12 looks on before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Super Bowl LIII is now one year away and here’s one reason why each team can reach the big game in 2019.

Arizona Cardinals: Strong defense with a defensive minded HC

The Cardinals were the last team to fill their head coaching vacancy, hiring Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. The front office chose to go with a defensive-minded head coach despite the questions on the offense and it’s a bold but solid choice. Wilks plays to the strengths of the Cardinals right now and it’s on that side of the ball.

The 2017 season marked a disappointing end to Bruce Arians’ tenure and was one filled with devastating injuries to offensive stars like Carson Palmer and David Johnson. Even with the struggles of an 8-8 season, the defense was a top-15 unit against the run and the pass under the leadership of coordinator James Bettcher. It’s a talented group led by the veteran talents of Chandler Jones and Patrick Peterson while also including young bucks like Hassan Reddick and Budda Baker.

Wilks led a solid defensive unit with the Panthers this season and defensive coordinators have had plenty of success as head coaches.  A strong defense is still very much a part of a championship formula and that will continue even with Bettcher’s departure. That held true with the majority of the teams that made the playoffs.

Every Cardinals fan needs a Larry Fitzgerald jersey. Fanatics has you covered.

Yes, there are questions on the offensive side of the ball but with David Johnson returning from injury and Larry Fitzgerald poised to make one final run, the Cardinals could make a play for a free agent quarterback this offseason. We’ve seen the Jaguars do it with Blake Bortles under center and that’s set the precedent going forward.