View Full Version : Minnesota game most likely the last "meaningful" regular season game for Cards.
Since it's now virtually impossible to catch the Panthers (would have to win out and they'd have to lose out...neither likely to happen, let alone BOTH), Sunday's game will give one team what will amount to a 1 1/2 game lead with two to go, and a safe bet to hold on to the #3 seed, which is the highest, realistically, either can hope for.
They're all meaningful. We're trying to get to 11 wins. The most in...how long? We're trying to go into the playoffs on a 4 game winning streak. We are trying to get to the point where we are playing our best football as a team. We are trying to get the mindset right to win it all. These are all important games for achieving that end.
calif cardinal
12-09-2008, 05:57 PM
While 8-5 has got us into the playoffs it is by no means a dominating season.... we need to get on a roll and stay there. We should blow out Minn & Seattle and prove to ourselves we can win on the east coast by beating NE. Put the pedal to the metal and dont let up!
While 8-5 has got us into the playoffs it is by no means a dominating season.... we need to get on a roll and stay there. We should blow out Minn & Seattle and prove to ourselves we can win on the east coast by beating NE. Put the pedal to the metal and dont let up!
IF the schedule was Minn, Seattle THEN NE, that would be one thing. Problem is, after Minny, should the Cards lose to NE, they'd be nuts to play the regulars a lot against Seattle, ESPECIALLY with what will most likely be a short week before a Saturday playoff game.
This is going to be interesting theatre to watch play out.
calif cardinal
12-09-2008, 06:16 PM
IF the schedule was Minn, Seattle THEN NE, that would be one thing. Problem is, after Minny, should the Cards lose to NE, they'd be nuts to play the regulars a lot against Seattle, ESPECIALLY with what will most likely be a short week before a Saturday playoff game.
This is going to be interesting theatre to watch play out.
If we lose to NE then that would be all the more reason to play the starters against Seattle. Losing is never good, it becomes a habit. Do not underestimate momentum. We need to go into the playoffs on a roll. We have not had a decent win streak yet this year, now is the time.
If we lose to NE then that would be all the more reason to play the starters against Seattle. Losing is never good, it becomes a habit. Do not underestimate momentum. We need to go into the playoffs on a roll. We have not had a decent win streak yet this year, now is the time.
LOL, don't get me wrong here, I like your emotion and your logic but, if the Seattle game is meaningless, which it almost certainly will be, there is less than no chance of the staters (i.e. Warner, Fitz and Q in perticular) of playing more than they did in the 4th pre season game. Won't happen, bank on it.
fastcashAZ
12-09-2008, 06:34 PM
I really dont see the value in resting the starters for the last game, I think it is counter productive and would not be a wise decision.
AZBIGBOY
12-09-2008, 06:36 PM
I DON'T agree at all. The NE game is very important. Like i have said before Whis knows that it will be very important for this team know they can win on the road, on the east coast, against a good team, in cold weather so that if it comes up in the playoffs they will have no doubt that it is possible.
BulldogsCards
12-09-2008, 08:28 PM
All the games are meaningful with home field advantage being played for. The Carolina game showed last night that there is a lot of football left and things change quickly in both the way they're a statement and the playoff bracket. It can't be automatically assumed that the Giants will be the #1 seed as Carolina showed they're also in the hunt.
Desert Heat
12-09-2008, 08:37 PM
It's odd when you think about it:
If the cards get the third seed they probably will get Dallas the 6th seed. but they will be opposite of NY meaning they wouldn't have to play them until the NFC championship. I don't know about you but I'd much rather play Carolina then NY in NY.
So getting the 3rd seed is huge!!! That is assuming we can take care of buisness against Dallas and the refs in the wild card game.
Darth Llama
12-09-2008, 09:12 PM
I DON'T agree at all. The NE game is very important. Like i have said before Whis knows that it will be very important for this team know they can win on the road, on the east coast, against a good team, in cold weather so that if it comes up in the playoffs they will have no doubt that it is possible.
Right you are. All 3 remaining games are important, anyone who thinks they're not doesn't understand football. You never want to back into the playoffs, the playoffs are all about who's on a hot streak and we want to go in hot. You never take games down the stretch for granted, ever.
NightHawk11and81
12-09-2008, 09:39 PM
New England is without question important. Seattle really isn't, unless something is on the line.
Wayne's Cards
12-09-2008, 10:38 PM
If we beat the Viqueens and lose to NE, then we might need to beat Seattle to keep the #3 seed. Even if we don't need to beat Seattle to keep the #3 seed, we should play are starters for at least the 1st half. Plus the only starters that might get some rest is Warner, maybe Fitz and Boldin. I think everyone else will continue to play the whole game.
This weeks game is huge. From a confidence stand point I can't see us losing to Minny and then going on the road and beating the Pats. We beat the Vikings, I think the team goes in with a chip on their shoulder because of the whole east coast thing, plus they chance to basically wrap up the #3 seed with a win over the Pats.
It would be great to be 10-5 and not have to sweat the Seahawks game as far as what it means playoff wise.
ABQCardsFan
12-10-2008, 06:41 AM
their order of importance at this time just happens to be the same as the order that we play them.
#1 Vikings - to establish the #3 seed
#2 Patriots - to win a cold game on the east coast against a good team
#3 Seahawks - to go into the playoffs with a win streak and firing on all cylinders
Pending the outcome of either of the first two games may change the importance of the remaining ones. As will the outcome of other upcoming games played by NFC contenders.
It's odd when you think about it:
If the cards get the third seed they probably will get Dallas the 6th seed. but they will be opposite of NY meaning they wouldn't have to play them until the NFC championship. I don't know about you but I'd much rather play Carolina then NY in NY.
So getting the 3rd seed is huge!!! That is assuming we can take care of buisness against Dallas and the refs in the wild card game.
Whose to say that Carolina won't end up with the #1 seed...They are one game back of the Giants for the #1 seed and they play each other in week 16. For arguments sake, lets say Carolina beats the Giants and ends up the the #1 seed....And since most fans agree that the Cardinals would likely lose to the Giants in the Meadowlands, should the Cardinals "tank" games to end the regular season, so that they drop to the #4 seed?...Which would likely avoid a rematch with Dallas in the wildcard round and send us to Carolina in the divisional round...Just something to think about. No one wants to lose momentum going into the playoffs, but there's a possibility the Cardinals could "tank" their last regular season game against Seattle, and choose who they want to play in the playoffs.
NightHawk11and81
12-10-2008, 08:10 AM
Whose to say that Carolina won't end up with the #1 seed...They are one game back of the Giants for the #1 seed and they play each other in week 16. For arguments sake, lets say Carolina beats the Giants and ends up the the #1 seed....And since most fans agree that the Cardinals would likely lose to the Giants in the Meadowlands, should the Cardinals "tank" games to end the regular season, so that they drop to the #4 seed?...Which would likely avoid a rematch with Dallas in the wildcard round and send us to Carolina in the divisional round...Just something to think about. No one wants to lose momentum going into the playoffs, but there's a possibility the Cardinals could "tank" their last regular season game against Seattle, and choose who they want to play in the playoffs.
And are we to assume that Minnesota will beat Dallas in your scenario? If Dallas wins that game, the Cardinals are still heading to Jersey.
You can't pick who you play beyond the first round.
And are we to assume that Minnesota will beat Dallas in your scenario? If Dallas wins that game, the Cardinals are still heading to Jersey.
You can't pick who you play beyond the first round.
Yes, at this point it's all speculation of course....And in my scenario it's also assuming that Dallas and Minnesota both make the playoffs.
I would like to see the Cardinals do there best to get the highest possible seed, which is most likely the 3rd seed.
Either way, if the Cardinals can get out of the wildcard round a rematch against the Panthers or Giants is almost inevitable. And though the players would probably never come out and say it, I think they would prefer a road trip back to Carolina rather than the Meadowlands.
kscardsfan
12-10-2008, 09:44 AM
You play the games to win the games...it is the NFL people!
VACardsFan74
12-10-2008, 01:52 PM
Whose to say that Carolina won't end up with the #1 seed...They are one game back of the Giants for the #1 seed and they play each other in week 16. For arguments sake, lets say Carolina beats the Giants and ends up the the #1 seed....And since most fans agree that the Cardinals would likely lose to the Giants in the Meadowlands, should the Cardinals "tank" games to end the regular season, so that they drop to the #4 seed?...Which would likely avoid a rematch with Dallas in the wildcard round and send us to Carolina in the divisional round...Just something to think about. No one wants to lose momentum going into the playoffs, but there's a possibility the Cardinals could "tank" their last regular season game against Seattle, and choose who they want to play in the playoffs.
Good analysis..and TRUE..Carolina could get #1....but I want to know why we would climb all over ourselves to get to any particular position in the playoffs. If we can't beat the seeds below us....and they WILL be tough no matter who it is...or if we can't beat the ones above us...and trust me, we don't really want to face Carolina either...then we will be one and done. I'm sure the team will take it one game at a time anyway and not care who they face.
Deaner55
12-10-2008, 02:15 PM
Since it's now virtually impossible to catch the Panthers (would have to win out and they'd have to lose out...neither likely to happen, let alone BOTH), Sunday's game will give one team what will amount to a 1 1/2 game lead with two to go, and a safe bet to hold on to the #3 seed, which is the highest, realistically, either can hope for.
No No my friend ,everyone is important and especially NE. How many times do you hear coaches and player talking about playing with confidence and how it ups your game. Do you realize after all the frustration , close losses and difficulty this team has had back east on the road what a tremendous win and boost to confidence going into the playoffs a win in NE would be! regardless of wether it effects the seed standing or not. We may have to play back east in the playoffs and that woould be a terrific win against a team that rarley losses at home and is also playing for a playoff spot. Oh no my friend revise your thinking ,just a little slip of the brain cells there for a moment but youll be ok.
bluedevil2011
12-10-2008, 03:06 PM
Let's just beat the Vikings this week!! :cardinals:
rperez
12-10-2008, 04:13 PM
I disagree, I think the NE game is by far more important. We have to go East and show we can win, we just have to. Not only for our own confidence, but so that if we win our first round playoff and then go back east, at least our opponent will stop and think for a minute rather than being overcome with confidence knowing we haven't won on the East. We just have to beat NE, even if we lose the other 2 remaining games.
It's beyond me that anyone on this board thinks for one second that if the Seattle game has no meaning that Whiz will play Warner, Fitz or Q more than a quarter. Really, I'm stunned.
Darth Llama
12-10-2008, 05:29 PM
It's beyond me that anyone on this board thinks for one second that if the Seattle game has no meaning that Whiz will play Warner, Fitz or Q more than a quarter. Really, I'm stunned.
That's because you assume that this team doesn't care if they're 10-6 or 11-5. I'm stunned that someone is so daft they actually believe the games are meaningless. Sure, if we have already clenched the #3 and can't move up or down, it's doubtful that starters will play the entire game, but you can bet your *** we're still going to play to win. If you think otherwise, you obviously haven't listened to a word Whiz has said all year.
BulldogsCards
12-10-2008, 05:45 PM
You play the games to win the games...it is the NFL people!
Exactly, play all the games to win them. The minute a team starts getting complacent or thinking they don't need to try for a while and just turn on a switch have a short life span in the playoffs. Trying to figure out where everyone is going to be is impossible right now and there is lot of football to be played. Just win and the rest will take care of itself. :Cards logo:
getn_jiggy
12-10-2008, 09:40 PM
They all will be important. The only way the Seattle game would be a good game to rest Kurt (and probably only Kurt) would be if we beat Minn and if we have clinched the 3 seed (if we beat Minn and prob beat NE) or if we are guaranteed the 4 seed (by losing the next two) by the Seattle game. The 3 seed is important because it means we won't have to face the NYG until the NFC championship in late January in NY, but by then we will have all of the confidence in the world after beating a good team at home in the first round and beating an even better team probably on the road (Carolina in January would be way better than in NY).
The 3 seed will also mean we will play the worse of the two wildcard teams.
I still think you should play Warner for a half in the Seattle game even if it is meaningless because he relies so much on timing with his WRs that he needs to keep up the reps esp since we are going to rely on the passing game so heavily. I think you play the starters through the first half of the Seattle game and rest them in the second half if that game is meaningless.
I agree though that the Minnesota game is the most meaningful game left this season, while I would revise the statement that all are meaningful -- just this next one is the most meaningful left....
Saxon079
12-10-2008, 11:25 PM
It's beyond me that anyone on this board thinks for one second that if the Seattle game has no meaning that Whiz will play Warner, Fitz or Q more than a quarter. Really, I'm stunned.
I think most people look at what the Giants did at the end last season by playing what was for them a meaningless game. The past few years it's been the team going into the playoffs hot that has been winning the Super Bowl, not necessarily the team with the best record. So I think the Cardinals will play that game as if it was for the NFC west championship to keep momentum going for the playoffs.:champs:
madrussianfan
12-11-2008, 03:34 AM
i can see this team still playing for 9 wins. i can see them playing hard to get a #3 seed. however by the seattle game things will likely be set in stone. to me it would be unwise to lose your stars to injury in a game that was truly meaningless. plus the ability to give your guys a week rest.
To my mind this club plays everyone that's not hurt straight to the playoffs.
Kurt is in line fo a record setting season. I don't see him coming out for anything other than he can't go.
The rest of the guys are playing for probowl spots as well as incentives. No sitting there.
We are working on things, including finishing games. We are not a seasoned club that can just TURN IT ON. These guys will keep playing until the end. To do otherwise is foolish. :champs:
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