NFL power rankings 2024: Arizona Cardinals 'playoff sleeper' with Kyler Murray next season
The Arizona Cardinals had a difficult 2023-24 season, going just 4-13, which was bad enough to give them the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
But it's not all bad for Arizona's NFL franchise.
One early NFL power ranking for 2024 has the Cardinals ranked No. 22 in the NFL for next season with the writer calling coach Jonathan Gannon's team "a playoff sleeper," giving fans some hope heading into the NFL offseason.
Cardinals fans will take it after winning just eight games over the past two seasons.
Check out what early NFL power rankings for the 2024 NFL season are saying about Kyler Murray and the Cardinals' chances:
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Sporting News: Cardinals come in at No. 22 in NFL power rankings for 2024
Vinnie Iyer writes: "There's promise with a fully healthy Kyler Murray and the Cardinals having the capital to improve much around him. Jonathan Gannon got the defense on the right track with limited personnel, too. Consider them a playoff sleeper."
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Freddie Boston writes: "Arizona must strengthen its offensive and defensive lines to compete in the NFC West. Adding a wide receiver should also be a priority."
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Sportsnaut: Cardinals at No. 27 in NFL power rankings 2024
Matt Johnson writes: "It was always going to be a multi-year process for the Arizona Cardinals. In cleaning up the mess left by Steve Keim and Kliff Kingsbury, Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon put the Arizona Cardinals on the right path in 2023. Now loaded with draft capital, Ossenfort can start finding young talent to unlock Gannon’s defense and help quarterback Kyler Murray. Youth comes with growing pains but it will provide a bright future, too."
ESPN: Cardinals open 2024 NFL power rankings ranked No. 29
Josh Weinfuss writes: "The Cardinals saw glimpses of how good they could be throughout their four-win season, so now it's time for Arizona to address a slew of deficiencies on both sides of the ball. The team will do that through free agency, which the Cardinals are expected to use to rebuild their defense, and the draft, where they are projected to address a significant need at WR1 with the No. 4 overall pick. Adding the right players -- not necessarily a lot of players -- could project the Cardinals into the playoff conversation next season. "
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What Super Bowl odds say about Arizona Cardinals' 2024 chances
Recent Super Bowl 59 odds from BetMGM Sportsbook have the Cardinals listed at +8000 to win the title next season, tied with the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.
Arizona is ahead of six teams: The Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers.
Not bad for the Cardinals considering the team was given the longest odds to win Super Bowl 58 at the end of the 2022-23 season (+15000).
That just might provide a little more hope for fans of Arizona's NFL franchise.
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL power rankings 2024: Arizona Cardinals a 'playoff sleeper'
