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Cardinals face massive year with Kliff Kingsbury, Kyler Murray

By Nicholas McGee

Jan 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is pursued by Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (54) in the first quarter at SoFi Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 18-7. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is pursued by Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (54) in the first quarter at SoFi Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 18-7. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals are under pressure to deliver results in the third year with Kyler Murray at quarterback and Kliff Kingsbury as head coach.

Best-case scenario

There is enough talent on offense for the Cardinals to deliver production at a level to propel them to the NFC West title.

Arizona’s best-case scenario is that the Kyler Murray-Kliff Kingsbury partnership finally yields the explosive results many have long since expected, lifting Murray into the MVP conversation, while the defense takes a step forward after an underrated 2020 display from Vance Joseph’s group.

It will take an improvement in play-calling on the offensive side, Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt staying healthy, and unexpected success from a cornerback group that looks extremely thin for that scenario to come to pass.

Worst-case scenario

The problem with hoping this is the year the Cardinals offense realizes its potential under Kingsbury is there has been little evidence to suggest a breakout year is forthcoming. For the most part with Kingsbury at the helm, he has run an uninspired offense more reliant on moments of improvisational magic from Murray than any play-calling genius.

If that remains the case in 2021 and Jones, Watt and the defensive front are not able to provide the pass rush to protect a fragile secondary, then the Cardinals will be a near-certainty for last place and Kingsbury could on the way out.

X-factor

The Cardinals picked receiver Rondale Moore in the second round despite his checkered injury history and offered an insight into the plans for him in the preseason opener with the Dallas Cowboys, where he received five touches, including two designed carries out of the backfield.

With his speed and elusiveness with the ball in his hands, Moore has the skill set to immediately give this offense another dimension. With teams already having to account for Murray’s running ability, putting Moore in the backfield provides Kingsbury with another potential layer of disguise to utilize. The success with which he does so may have a huge bearing on Arizona’s fortunes.

Biggest game – Week 5 vs. San Francisco

The Cardinals have an extremely tough schedule that will provide a clear barometer of where this team is in year three of the Kingsbury era. Arizona won four games at home in 2020 and, if they are to threaten the postseason, that home record must improve with fans back in the stands. Four of their first seven games are on the road, with the visit of a hopefully healthy Niners team sandwiched between visits to the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns.

This is a game Arizona must have to truly compete in the NFC West, a defeat will serve as an obvious sign the Cardinals are not in the mix.

Bold prediction

Yes, the Cardinals were a win from a playoff berth last season but, in the toughest division in football, Arizona needs too many things to happen to go deep into January.

The offense is blessed with significant talent but not enough to lift up a defense that figures to be vulnerable to the passing game given the lack of convincing options in the secondary. If Kingsbury can’t raise the ceiling of the offense to help it carry Arizona to the playoffs, the Cardinals should look to get a head start on finding a new coach to develop Murray.