2023 Arizona Cardinals schedule analysis

On Thursday night, the NFL released the complete Cardinals schedule. Per NFL research, Cardinals opponents had a 148-137-3 record in 2022, making their 2023 schedule the 11th most difficult in the NFL. 

Circle the date: Nov. 19 @ Houston

The Cardinals play the Houston Texans in a game that will probably not have any sort of playoff significance. But that does not take away from its import. This game  could have massive 2024 NFL Draft implications. Houston's 2024 first-round pick belongs to the Cardinals following the blockbuster draft day trade that had Houston move up from No. 12 to No. 3 to select Will Anderson.

Toughest stretch: Weeks 2-8

Arizona does not have a great roster, quarterback Kyler Murray is probably not going to be anything close to 100 percent when he returns to the field and the team has games against the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens in Weeks 2-8. That is a brutal way to start the campaign. The Rams are the only team in that lot that missed the playoffs and they should be better this season. Will the Cardinals be favored in a single game during this brutal run of games?

Easiest stretch: Week 9-13

Things do soften up for the Cardinals after that thorny stretch. The next five games do not feature a single playoff team from 2022, as the Cardinals will play the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. That is at least a somewhat manageable chunk of games, even for what might be one of the league's worst teams. It could garner them at least a couple of wins.

After eight games the Cardinals will be...

The worst team in the league and 1-7. We already highlighted Weeks 2-8, but their season-opening game against the Washington Commanders is no picnic either. Add in the uncertainty surrounding Murray and it is really difficult to see the Cardinals winning many -- or any -- of their first eight games.