The playoff picture becomes clearer as we move deeper into the second half of the 2024Â NFL season. The Arizona Cardinals are looking to be this year’s team that goes from last place to first place.
Let’s look at the Cardinals’ playoff chances after losing to the Seahawks in Week 12.
Can the Cardinals Make the Playoffs?
Heading into Week 13, the Arizona Cardinals are 6-5 and now have a 63.6% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 1.0% chance for the 1 seed, a 6.8% chance for the second seed, a 35.9% chance for the third seed, a 9.6% chance for the fourth seed, a 0.1% chance for the fifth seed, a 1.5% chance for the sixth seed, and a 8.6% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Cardinals Win the NFC West?
Here’s what the NFC West race looks like after all the action in Week 12:
- The Arizona Cardinals have a 53.3% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Seattle Seahawks have a 28.6% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Los Angeles Rams have a 9.4% chance to win the NFC West.
- The San Francisco 49ers have a 8.8% chance to win the NFC West.
Current NFC West Standings
- Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
- Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
- Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
- San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
NFC Playoff Race | Week 18
1. Detroit Lions (14-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
6. Washington Commanders (11-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
In The Hunt
9. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Eliminated From Playoffs
8. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
11. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
12. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
13. New Orleans Saints (5-11)
14. Chicago Bears (4-12)
15. Carolina Panthers (4-12)
16. New York Giants (3-13)
Cardinals’ Super Bowl Chances in Week 12
Can the Cardinals win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Arizona has a 2.3% chance to win it all.
Cardinals’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings
- Week 14: vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Week 15: vs. New England Patriots
- Week 16: at Carolina Panthers
- Week 17: at Los Angeles Rams
- Week 18: vs. San Francisco 49ers
What PFN Predicted for the Cardinals vs. Seahawks Matchup
The NFC West may not have the best teams in the NFL, but it’s certainly the most competitive division in football. Not one of these four teams is under .500.
Currently, the Cardinals sit atop the division at 6-4 with the other three teams all 5-5, making every game, especially ones within the division, extra crucial.
In this first of two meetings between the Seahawks and the Cardinals, the latter has the benefit of being well-rested coming off their bye week. The former is riding high off of an epic comeback victory over their longtime nemesis, the 49ers.
At home, the Seahawks are one-point favorites, but this has all the makings of a letdown spot.
The Cardinals are in the midst of a four-game win streak. Over that span, Kyler Murray has played some of the best football of his career, ranking fourth in EPA per dropback. The Seahawks are as average as it gets, ranking 16th on the defensive side of that metric.
The biggest problem for Seattle will be on the ground. James Conner looks like he’s aged in reverse this year. He leads the league in evaded-tackles-per-touch rate and is sixth with 4.43 yards created per touch. Conner should have a field day against a Seahawks run defense that ranks 25th in success rate.
It may be tempting to go with the home team, but the matchup and narrative favors Arizona here.
PFN Prediction: Cardinals 27, Seahawks 24
