Only One NFL Group Is At the moment an Underdog in All 17 Video games Subsequent Season

2026 NFL schedule | AFC report predictions | NFC report predictions |The Rams and the league’s ‘creative Super Bowl’

The 2026 NFL schedule will not be arising Cardinals.

Between no prime-time video games, an underwhelming quarterback room and backlash for a poor, AI-filled schedule launch video, the Cardinals have a lot to groan about. To prime of all of it off, the Cardinals have maybe probably the most grueling schedule within the league.

As a outcome, the Cardinals are the one workforce which are underdogs in all 17 video games this season, in line with DraftKings Sportsbook. They even have by far the bottom odds to win probably the most video games in 2026, per DraftKings.

The Cardinals already get to play the three different NFC West groups six instances on an annual foundation. This 12 months, additionally they have the enjoyment of additionally taking over the NFC East and AFC West, two different robust divisions. Nine of their 17 video games come towards playoff groups from the 2025 season and several other of their different matchups are towards formidable squads such because the Lions, Cowboys and Chiefs.

Here is the Cardinals’ full schedule:

• Week 1 (Sept. 13): at Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
• Week 2 (Sept. 20): vs. Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
• Week 3 (Sept. 27): at 49ers, 4:05 p.m.
• Week 4 (Oct. 4): at Giants, 1 p.m.
• Week 5 (Oct. 11): vs. Lions, 4:25 p.m.
• Week 6 (Oct. 18): at Rams, 4:05 p.m.
• Week 7 (Oct. 25): vs. Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
• Week 8 (Nov. 1): at Cowboys, 1 p.m.
• Week 9 (Nov. 8): at Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
• Week 10 (Nov. 15): vs. Rams, 4:05 p.m.
• Week 11 (Nov. 22): at Chiefs, 1 p.m.
• Week 12 (Nov. 29): vs. Commanders, 4:25 p.m.
• Week 13 (Dec. 6): vs. Eagles, 4:05 p.m.
• Week 14 (Dec. 13): Bye
• Week 15 (Dec. 20): vs. Jets, 4:05 p.m.
• Week 16 (Dec. 27): at Saints, 1 p.m.
• Week 17 (Jan. 3): vs. Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
• Week 18 (Jan. 9/10): vs. 49ers, TBD

Related: Eight Teams That Got Screwed by the 2026 NFL Schedule

Beyond the Cardinals, DraftKings lists the Dolphins as favorites in only one sport, second-fewest within the league. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, the Rams lead the league as they’re favored to win all however one sport, their Week 16 matchup in Seattle on Christmas Day. Of groups that made the playoffs final season, the percentages are least in favor of the Panthers, who’re favored in simply three video games in 2026.

On the brilliant aspect for the Cardinals, they may no less than get to get pleasure from watching working again and No. 3 choose Jeremiyah Love this season, who’s the favourite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Perhaps much more importantly, a tricky schedule may assist them safe the next choose within the “March for Arch,” a.ok.a. subsequent 12 months’s draft, which is slated to be a transformative one on the quarterback place.

It can also be unlikely the Cardinals grow to be the third workforce to go winless in a 16-game season or longer, a lowly feat solely the notorious 2017 Browns and 2008 Lions have achieved. Since the NFL moved to a 17-game season in 2021, only one workforce has completed with fewer than three wins—the 2023 Panthers, who went 2-15.

While they aren’t favored, the Cardinals have a winnable stretch of video games on the finish of the season after they tackle the Jets, Saints and Raiders, with two of these video games coming at dwelling. Besides, a lot can change by the point the season and these video games arrive, and the Cardinals have sufficient expertise between Love, Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson to imagine they’re able to pulling off a couple of wins. Though not anticipated, they might even shock and be extra aggressive than anticipated.

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