Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals projected to decline the most in 2015

Published Aug. 14, 2015 11:54 a.m. ET

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Building upon an 11-5 finish in 2014 might prove difficult, or at least that's what ESPN's Football Outsiders believe for the Arizona Cardinals. 

Altogether, the team shuffled four quarterbacks - Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Ryan Lindley and Logan Thomas - under center due to injuries last year. The defense, however, was rock solid. 

But a closer look examines the Cardinals had the football gods on their side. According to Football Outsiders' metrics, Arizona was the 22nd best team in the league last season, and they outscored opponents by just 11 points. 

Their schedule in 2015 isn't favorable, either, as they draw the NFC North and AFC North. 

Even in their own division, the Seahawks reloaded in the offseason and the Rams could be a sneaky postseason pick with their defense and improved offense. 

Even if Carson Palmer stays healthy and the defense remains consistent, will that be enough?

Per ESPN Insider: "Since 2005, the team we have projected before the season with the toughest schedule has dropped from an average of 9.5 wins the year before to just 7.6 wins, and those numbers would be 9.7 wins and 7.0 wins if we took out the 2012 Denver team that replaced Tim Tebow with Peyton Manning."

(h/t ESPN Insider)

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