On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
2025 Arizona Cardinals projected win total, prediction
The Arizona Cardinals have missed the playoffs the past three seasons and in eight of the past nine years overall. Despite that recent lack of success, expectations should be increasing under head coach Jonathan Gannon, and there is good reason to believe they can compete for a playoff spot, and perhaps even for the NFC West title, in 2025.
Projected win total: 8.5 (BetMGM)
Outlook: After winning just eight games total over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the Cardinals matched that total with eight wins in 2024. It was a big step forward for a rebuilding team, and it's not hard to view them as capable of taking another step forward in 2025.
There are, of course, some big X-factors involved with that.
The most prominent of those X-factors is starting quarterback Kyler Murray.
After missing significant time during the 2022 and 2023 seasons to injury, Murray was finally healthy in 2024 and gave the Cardinals a full-season's worth of games. There was hope that he could start playing like the top-tier quarterback the Cardinals are paying him to be, but they only saw spotty glimpses of that player.
He was good. At times, he was very good. But for more than $45M, the Cardinals need to be getting great play from him if they are going to compete. They are not always getting that. Until they do, their ceiling is going to be limited.
Murray does have some intriguing targets in the passing game, but the big question is whether or not he has enough of them.
Marvin Harrison Jr. has superstar potential but is coming off an up-and-down rookie season. He could really use another big-time target on the other side of the field to take some of the pressure away from him.
Tight end Trey McBride is a rising star at his position and has a new long-term contract extension to keep him in Arizona.
Between the two of them, the Cardinals have some serious big-play potential, but depth is a concern.
Curated just for you pic.twitter.com/xwXjwJ9AzE
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) May 15, 2025
The Cardinals defense also took a big step forward in 2024, and management did a nice job to continue boosting the depth of the defensive line this offseason.
Edge rusher Josh Sweat was the big free-agent signing, and he should provide a huge lift to the Cardinals' pass rush. He also has a prior history with Gannon, as the two spent time in Philadelphia together.
Dalvin Tomlinson is another strong addition to the defensive line as a run-stuffer, coming over from the Cleveland Browns.
The Cardinals also used their first-round pick on the defensive line by taking Walter Nolen at No. 16 overall out of Ole Miss.
Those three additions should give the Cardinals a potentially dominant defensive line that could not only dramatically improve the defense but also completely change games in their favor.
Our take: A lot of it simply depends on what the Cardinals can get out of Murray. Nothing changes a team faster than a quarterback, and Murray certainly has the dual-threat ability to be a game-changer. But he has had that ability for his entire career and has not always shown it. If he does, and with an improved defensive line, the Cardinals might be able to compete in the NFC West and certainly for a playoff spot in the NFC.
Predicted win total: 10
More must-reads:
- 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers projected win total, prediction
- 2025 New Orleans Saints projected win total, prediction
- The 'NFL QBs with the most rushing touchdowns in a single season' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Green Bay Packers Avoid Major Injury With 2 Key Offensive Playmakers
Training camp and preseason are all about staying healthy for the start of the season. For the Green Bay Packers, Tuesday’s practice on August 12, 2025, served as a reminder of how fickle luck can be. Tight end Luke Musgrave and wide receiver Romeo Doubs both sent shockwaves through training camp when they went down with injuries during practice. Thankfully, the latest updates have fans breathing a collective sigh of relief as both players appear to have avoided serious setbacks. With both Musgrave and Doubs set to play pivotal roles in the Packers’ offense this season, their health becomes a top priority as the team inches closer to the regular season. Here’s everything you need to know about their injury scares, subsequent updates, and what it all means for Green Bay’s 2025 outlook. Green Bay Packers Injury Scares Luke Musgrave’s Ankle Jolt Luke Musgrave, the Packers’ promising tight end drafted in 2023, sent tension rippling through the camp after hurting his ankle during an otherwise celebratory moment. Shortly after making a touchdown grab, Musgrave appeared to tweak his ankle and was visibly uncomfortable. With each cautious step, anxiety loomed heavy over the coaching staff, the fans, and the young tight end hoping to lock in his position as one of Jordan Love’s go-to weapons. Romeo Doubs’ Back Collision Minutes later, another scare followed—this time involving Romeo Doubs, one of the key cogs in Green Bay’s wide receiver corps. Doubs collided with safety Evan Williams on an incomplete deep ball, the impact leaving him slow to rise and clutching his lower back. He was taken to the Hutson Center for further evaluation, leaving a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the practice field. Positive Updates Highlight Potential Return Despite Tuesday’s ominous moments, Wednesday brought welcome news for Green Bay. Both Musgrave and Doubs appear to have avoided long-term injuries, with reporters noting that neither player is dealing with anything serious enough to threaten their availability for the season opener. “Seems both Romeo Doubs and Luke Musgrave are OK after injury scares yesterday,” noted Packers insider Zach Kruse. This promising update means that both players could return to action soon, ensuring the Packers’ offense remains intact as the team continues preparation for Week 1. What Their Health Means for the Packers’ Offense The Packers’ offense operates with one goal in mind this season—establishing rhythm and continuity under quarterback Jordan Love, who is entering his inaugural campaign as the definitive starter. Doubs and Musgrave are central to that plan, and their health will play a critical role in Green Bay’s potential success. Luke Musgrave’s Role at Tight End Musgrave, with his 6-foot-6 frame and elite athleticism, is expected to be a dynamic option in the red zone and over the middle of the field. His ability to stretch defenses with his straight-line speed gives Jordan Love a pivotal mismatch to exploit. With Packers coach Matt LaFleur known for creative schemes involving tight ends, Musgrave is poised to surpass his rookie-year contributions and become one of the team’s top offensive weapons. An extended absence would leave Green Bay thin at tight end, forcing them to lean too heavily on backups like Tucker Kraft. Musgrave dodging serious injury is a huge sigh of relief for the coaching staff looking to build around their versatile second-year player. Romeo Doubs’ Importance to the Receiver Room Romeo Doubs enters the 2025 season with a chance to take another step forward as a reliable and potentially explosive wide receiver. With Christian Watson and Jayden Reed entering their third and fourth year, respectively, Doubs slots as a complementary target with the ability to move the chains and create chunk plays. The injury scare highlighted just how fragile the team’s depth at wide receiver can be. Any significant time missed by Doubs would leave the Packers scrambling between lesser-proven options like Dontayvion Wicks and rookie pass-catchers to fill the void. Thankfully, Green Bay won’t need to shuffle the depth chart just yet—a massive win for maintaining offensive stability down the stretch of camp. The Packers’ Injury Landscape Musgrave and Doubs’ recoveries come as part of a broader injury narrative for the Packers this preseason. With quarterback Jordan Love nursing a thumb injury and other depth players sidelined, the team has been walking a fine line between preparation and preservation. Coach Matt LaFleur has stressed a cautious approach to managing workloads in camp, aiming to ensure all 53 regular-season contributors are healthy and ready when the games matter most. With Musgrave and Doubs added to the list of “narrow escapes,” it’s clear the Packers have dodged a significant bullet in maintaining the offensive cohesion their new-look roster needs to gel. Final Thoughts The injury updates on Luke Musgrave and Romeo Doubs may not seem headline-worthy given they avoided serious setbacks, but their importance to Green Bay’s offense cannot be overstated. Both players represent key building blocks in an evolving attack centered on unlocking the full potential of Jordan Love. For now, Packers fans and coaches alike can breathe easy knowing their $12-million offensive duo is still on track for a healthy and impactful 2025 campaign. But as camp rolls on and preseason games begin, the emphasis for Green Bay will remain clear—avoid losses on the injury report at all costs.
King of New York: Pete Alonso breaks major Mets all-time record
Pete Alonso is now the New York Mets' all-time home run king. With his opposite-field, two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, Alonso clubbed the 253rd and 254th home runs of his Mets career, moving him into sole possession of first place on the team's all-time list. He moved two home runs ahead of the previous record-holder, Darryl Strawberry, who hit 252 home runs with the team between the 1983 and 1990 seasons. Here is a look at his record-setting home run. Later in the bottom of the sixth inning, Alonso hit his 254th home run: Along with the all-time Mets home run lead, Alonso is also the Mets' single-season home run leader with 53 home runs during the 2019 season. Strawberry congratulated Alonso on breaking his record: His home runs on Tuesday were his 27th and 28th of the season. It is a big deal for Alonso because there was some doubt this past offseason about whether he would have a chance to set this record. Even though he was close, the uncertainty around his future, given his free-agent status, created a lot of questions about where he would play. Ultimately, the Mets re-signed him to a two-year, $54 million contract that includes an opt-out clause following the 2025 season. That opt-out will again create some uncertainty about his future, but it is pretty clear Alonso still has a lot of power left in his bat. Whether he returns to the Mets or goes somewhere else, he will remain the franchise's greatest home run hitter for the foreseeable future. He is now on top of the record books for the single season and career.
ESPN believes one Michigan football player is in store for a sophomore breakout season
Some sophomores, who burst onto the scene during their freshman season, can be known to have sophomore slumps. But there are also freshmen who came on late in 2024, who are expected to take major leaps in 2025. ESPN came out with 11 of those sophomores who are in store for a breakout season. One of which is Michigan RB Jordan Marshall. The former Mr. Ohio RB battled injuries last season, and was stuck behind both Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards. But after neither Mullings nor Edwards could play in the ReliaQuest Bowl -- Michigan asked Marshall to step up. And step up he did. It was a career day for the freshman, getting 23 carries for 100 yards and earning the MVP Award. "We got a taste of what Marshall brings to the table at the ReliaQuest Bowl. The No. 7 back in the 2024 ESPN 300, he went for 100 yards on 23 carries in the first and only start of his young career. The former Ohio Mr. Football will team up with Alabama transfer Justice Haynes in the Wolverines backfield. Early in preseason camp, it appears the reps will be shared, with Haynes as 1a and Marshall 1b. Marshall is elusive in tight quarters, fast in the open field and powerful on contact with a low center of gravity. He boasted the top verified shuttle (5-10-5) out of high school with 4.1 seconds, which would have been second among running backs at this year's NFL combine." Marshall isn't alone, but that's always the case when it comes to Michigan. The Wolverines always use two ball carriers to propel the run game, and in 2025, Marshall is joined by former Alabama RB Justice Haynes. Recently, Marshall said he and Haynes were complete backs and could carry the load. "I don't know how much different we are. We're both complete backs," said Marshall. "We balance from pass pro, to catching the ball, to running the ball. "I don't know how much different we are. We're pretty physical, both of us. We like to make people miss. We like to talk a little smack. "It's been fun just learning from him and learning from his game and picking up on some moves, some things he does, some things off the field, how he prepares. That's something that I really look up to is just how he prepares, how he gets his body right and something that I can be better at and I'm trying to take that from his game and learn from him in that aspect."
Five best NFL offseason value signings on offense: Bills get great deal with RB extension
Few know how to spend money like an NFL front office. This offseason, teams handed out over $4 billion in extensions alone, not to mention the several other billions spent in free agency. But which were the shrewdest investments? Below, we examine the best value signings at five positions on offense: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line. Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith Contract: Two years, $75 million ($65.5M guaranteed) Shortly after acquiring Smith in a trade from the Seattle Seahawks, the Raiders extended the 2022 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year to a contract that raises the Raiders' floor while maintaining flexibility. Smith has a manageable $26.5M cap hit in 2026, when Over The Cap projects Las Vegas to have the third-most cap space ($78.7M) based on an estimated 5.8 percent cap increase. Since 2022, Smith has the third-highest completion percentage (68.5 percent) among 32 quarterbacks with at least 20 starts during that span. He's also tied with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the second-most fourth-quarter comebacks (10) and trails only Mahomes in game-winning drives. Buffalo Bills running back James Cook Contract: Four years, $48M ($30M guaranteed) Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams pierced Cook's bubble when he signed a three-year, $33M extension on Aug. 5. The Bills running back sought $15M per year, making his $12M in annual average value (AAV) a huge win for Buffalo. Over Cook's first three seasons, he's averaged 4.9 yards per carry. In 2024, he led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns. With just 533 career tackles, Cook doesn't have the wear-and-tear of other backs who've made splashes early in their careers, raising hopes that he can withstand the workload that comes with being Buffalo's featured back. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins Contract: Four years, $115M ($40.9M guaranteed) The Bengals retained Higgins at a remarkable price, keeping him in Cincinnati at less than $30M per year, the going rate for the league's top wideouts. Per Spotrac, while Higgins is No. 10 in AAV among wide receivers, he ranks just outside the top 20 in guaranteed money. Last season, Higgins averaged 75.9 receiving yards per game, his most since 2021, and scored a career-high 10 touchdowns despite missing five games due to injury. Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride Contract: Four years, $76M ($43M guaranteed) The 2024 first-team All-Pro ranks No. 1 among tight ends in guaranteed salary. However, if he continues producing numbers more akin to WR1s — last season, he had 111 receptions, 1,146 receiving yards and two touchdowns — his contract will be one of the league's better bargains. Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley Contract: Three years, $60M ($44M guaranteed) Stanley's journey back from a devastating 2020 lower leg injury culminated in the 2019 first-team All-Pro being named a Pro Bowler for the second time in his first nine seasons last year. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft was rewarded with a contract that will keep him in Baltimore through his age-33 season. In terms of average annual value, his extension ranks below other left tackles who signed contracts this offseason, and not just younger players such as Rashawn Slater (Los Angeles Chargers), who was recently lost for the season, and Bernhard Raimann (Indianapolis Colts). Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews, 33, is averaging $22.5M on his current deal, while Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller, 29, is set to earn $22M per year through 2028.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
