The Cardinals are suddenly at risk in the NFC playoff picture

After looking like one of the best teams in the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals have now lost back-to-back games and things are getting complicated for Kliff Kingsbury. 

What in the heck is going on with the Arizona Cardinals? Just two weeks ago, this team was 10-2 and looking like the class of the NFC. Arizona fans were ready to see this group clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. Oh, how quickly things have changed.

In Week 14, Arizona suffered a loss to the Los Angeles Rams during Monday Night Football. On Sunday, they were expected to bounce back in a big way going up against the lowly Detroit Lions. Well, the Lions went on to dominate play and record a stunning 30-12 upset. Holy smokes.

The Cardinals are imploding at the worst time possible

Sunday’s defeat to Detroit really is inexcusable. The Lions have looked like one of the worst squads all year, yet they punched the Cardinals in the mouth early on and didn’t stop. Even more concerning for the Cardinals is that their offense has looked lethargic.

Kyler Murray finished the loss with 257 yards, one touchdown and one interception. On the ground, the team really couldn’t get cooking, with Chase Edmonds rushing for only 53 yards and James Conner being held to 39.

Defensively, Arizona made Jared Goff look brilliant, as the signal-caller tossed for three touchdowns in the Detroit victory. Now, Arizona is 10-4 on the year, which of course still has them in a prime spot for the postseason, but that No. 1 seed is slipping away.

Things are only going to be made worse for Kingsbury if the Packers take down the Ravens and the Bucs beat the Saints. Both Green Bay and Tampa Bay are favorites for those showdowns.